[Our church celebrated Country Music Sunday as part of our current "Music & Faith" series. It was a fun Sunday with bales of hay, lots of cowboy boots and flannel shirts, and the singing of old country/gospel hymns. It was also a Sunday where the pastoral prayer focused on our nation during this time of presidential transition. Playing off the words of one of Alan Jackson's country song, the world is still turning. Click here for the sermon.]
On this Sunday following our
nation’s election, we also pray for our country during this time of political
transition. We pray for President-Elect Donald Trump, President Barak Obama,
and for all those who serve in public office, that together we would be a
nation of liberty and justice for all.
We pray for those who are
excited and hopeful for our country, as well as those who may be feeling fearful,
anxious, and uncertain during this time. Help us to be a nation that respects
differing political opinions and the diversity that is represented in our
country, in our community, and especially within our own congregation. Thank
you for loving us not because we are Republicans or Democrats, but because we
belong to you, and we are all your children.
We confess that we are tired
of talking politics. Forgive us for our feeble attempts to try to convince
people of the error of their ways, without first focusing on our own shortcomings,
limited perspectives, and shortsightedness. Just as you have in the past, take
the wobbly and unbalanced clay of who we are, and reshape us into brand new
vessels that are filled to the top with your overflowing love for you and our
neighbors.
O God, in place of political
conversations, as important as they are, maybe you are calling us now to focus more
on sharing with each other about the breath-taking sunrise we saw early Thursday
morning, and later that evening, a Missions Team meeting where we brainstormed
new and creative ways to reach out to our community with your love. Thank you
for these inspiring moments that we share together.
O God, maybe instead of
political conversations, you are calling us to focus more on sharing with each other
just how much we truly, truly appreciate our Veterans and their service to our
country, or a favorite country music song we heard during the week and why we
like it so much, or the inspiring choir anthem this morning that lifted our spirits, or the really awesome sermon
by our preacher this morning.
O God, help us to think on
these things that unite us and make us smile. Help us to see your beauty that
is all around us.
In the words of country music
singer, Alan Jackson, thank you for reminding us today “that your world is
still turning,” you still are God, we are still your people, and you still continue
to invite us to pray together as one united people,
“Our Father, who art in
heaven…”
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