When we gather in worship, it is important that we think not only about ourselves or of only of our congregation, but for those beyond our walls. Such pastoral prayers not only name the needs of the world, but also opens our hearts and grows our compassion.
Here are a few prayers of the people that you are welcome to use or adapt for your worship –
Pastoral Prayer 1
This prayer is interwoven with the refrain of a Taizé song “O Lord, hear our prayer.” (Click if you want to hear this song.)
Holy and harmonizing one, we pray today for the world. For its minerals and ore, for its aquifers and soil. We pray for the earth’s mountains and streams; oceans and springs. We pray for its health and its healing, for its well-being and for its future.
Sung: O Lord hear our prayer. O Lord hear our prayer. When I call, answer me . . .
We pray today for the animals of the earth: those that have gone extinct and those we are driving to extinction. We pray for animals whose habitats are being threatened and destroyed, whose migration patterns are being hidden by bright human-made light or by changed weather patterns. May we become more aware of our impact on the world around us and have more regard for our finned, feathered, and four footed friends.
Sung: O Lord hear our prayer. O Lord hear our prayer. When I call, answer me . . .
We pray for the children of the earth: those that are running out of time due to inadequate nutrition, those being hurt and harmed by those they love and trust, and those dealing with troubles much more advanced than their age. We pray that all children are safe, have the food they need to grow and thrive. We pray that children know they are loved and have a community around them that supports them.
Sung: O Lord hear our prayer. O Lord hear our prayer. When I call, answer me . . .
We pray for the people of the earth: those that are dealing with new diagnosis, those that have chronic conditions, those that have terminal diseases. We pray for those that are struggling physically, mentally, spiritually. We pray for those having financial difficulties and for those whose money and perceived security has become more important than the people in their lives. We pray that every person on earth knows they are loved by you and is allowed to find and express their gifts and talents. We pray that everyone has support people around them so that they never feel alone.
Sung: O Lord hear our prayer. O Lord hear our prayer. When I call, answer me . . .
We pray also for those who are specifically on our hearts today . . .
(lift up those on our hearts)
May God make God’s self known to each of those we have named. May God comfort and care for them. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Pastoral Prayer 2
Today, as we think of the courage of Hannah, we pray for the people in the world that are often counted as insignificant and rarely are able to have their voices heard in the halls of power:
We pray for children . . . for their safety and their future.
We pray for the immigrant . . . often overlooked and undervalued.
We pray for the people in line at soup kitchens or food banks. May their needs be heard, seen, and met.
We pray for people with developmental delays who are infantilized.
We pray for elderly who are sometimes looked past and looked over.
We pray for the people being pushed out of generational homes because of the costs of insurance and taxes.
We pray for people of color who are being systematically silenced through the establishment of new voting districts.
We pray for the people who are being told to be quiet, to sit down, and to conform.
We pray for all the people struggling to have their challenges heard in the cacophony of a loud word.
Today, Lord, hear their prayers.
We pray also today for those specifically on our hearts:
(Lift up the names of those on our hearts out loud.)
May you wrap each in a cocoon of love and help them to access the resources that they need. May you inspire others to join in service that there might be an upswelling of care and consideration.
We pray all of this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray saying:
(Recite the Lord’s Prayer.)
Pastoral Prayer 3
Today we think and pray for the goodness in the world:
For the people who have gone out of their way to be kind.
We pray for the person that found your wallet and returned it,
for the ones who have held the door open, even when you haven’t needed it.
We pray for the person who offered you a smile today,
or a tissue when you have needed it.
We pray for the person who waved you into traffic
Or who complemented you on your clothes today.
We pray for the wait staff who refilled your coffee
And the friend who brought you over some vegetables from their garden.
We pray for the person who carefully packed your packages to make sure that nothing was broken,
And the person who let you borrow their last favorite book.
In a world where disconnection sometimes seems to be the norm,
We give thanks for all the people who have offered kindness.
[Take a moment in silence to give thanks for people who have been kind to you]
We pray also this day for:
We pray this day too, the prayer which Jesus taught us which says:
(Recite the Lord’s Prayer.)
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