Join Bishop Current for a brief time of prayer in response to the violence in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 6th.
Transcript of Video Prayer Service
Bishop Amy Current
Just twenty-four hours ago, we began to hear of the violence, chaos, and blatant acts of racism occurring in our nation’s capital and in the halls of congress. As I denounce the blatantly racist, unlawful, and violent acts, I also confess my own complicities and sin. Then, I turn to scripture, common prayer, and to the one hope, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Please join me in prayer and scripture adapted from the new ELCA Hymnal Supplement, “All Creation Sings” and the ‘Service after a Violent Event’.
Gracious God, the news of yesterday, acts of violence, racism, loss of life, idolatry of power, along with the continued and palpable divisiveness in our country, rising COVID -19 cases and deaths, and all that leaves aching, we bring to you in prayer. We are walking through the valley of the shadow of death. In the depths of pain and anger, we gather before you, O God, our rock and our refuge, You are our only comfort. You are our only hope. Faithful God surround us with your everlasting arms. Hear our cries of despair, heed our calls for justice, and do not let us lose hope, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, we pray. Amen.
Psalm 46
God’s Defense of His City and People
To the leader. Of the Korahites. According to Alamoth. A Song.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of the city, it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
6 The nations are in an uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
8 Come, behold the works of the Lord;
see what desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 The Lord makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
breaks the bow, and shatters the spear;
and burns the shields with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I am exalted among the nations,
I am exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Romans 8:31, 35, 38-39
What then are we to say about these things?
Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let us pray.
Holy God, you watch over our going out and our coming in and your Spirit upholds us in every circumstance, and our hope is in your Son, Jesus Christ, our help comes from you, and we ask you to hear us as we pray for…
President Trump, Vice President Pence, President-elect Biden, Vice President-elect Harris, Cabinet officials, Members of Congress, Congressional staff, Capital police and other law enforcement officials, peaceful protestors and the violent and unlawful terrorists, for citizens of Washington DC, for all citizens of the United States, for the weeks and months to come. Turn our hearts, O Lord, as these acts of violence and racism occur daily in our own communities and across this nation, guide us to speak truth in order to find a way forward for peace, dignity safety, and freedom for all.
For those who struggle with Covid-19, for those who care for them, for those who suffer with illness, grief, and needs of many kinds.
Our help comes from you, O Lord, you are our hope. So even as we weep, as we experience anger, and astonishment, we praise you and place our trust in you. We pray in the name of the one who suffered and died and was raised for us, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Charge
Go out into the world in peace;
have courage;
hold on to what is good;
return no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted;
support the weak, and help the suffering;
honor all people;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now go forth in peace, remembering that God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, goes before you.
