Lector: Oh Great Mystery, you are our help and our hope, maker of heaven and earth. We trust that there is a divine order in all your creation and that our prayers will be heard and answered in the best way for all of us. Though we are your children, we sometimes stumble, not recognizing the highest truth, hoping for peace and resolution according to our own way of seeing. Let us never despair in your love and mercy.
May we deepen our trust in you who are maker of heaven and earth.
We pray and give thanks for the leaders of our faith, for Berto and Hugh, our priests, for Greg, our Bishop, for Michael our Presiding Bishop, and for all the leaders of faith throughout the world. May they be supported by Divine Wisdom in all that they do.
We pray for the leaders of states and nations throughout the world: may our local elected delegates, our national leaders, and leaders throughout the world be attuned to the highest good; may they have the strength and vision to cast self-interest aside and truly work in the cause of world peace and social justice for all. May they be supported by Divine Wisdom in all that they do.
According to our individual capacities, let us reach out with both hands to help those in our community who su?er from homelessness, abuse, addiction, loneliness and illness. May we be supported by Divine Wisdom in all that we do.
In our own church community many who are near and dear to us need extra prayers and support—we fervently ask blessings and guidance now for and of the many others whose names are not mentioned above, we add (take a few moments, to repeat their names, silently or aloud). Holy Jesus, please heal them and ease their journeys. Our help is in your Blessed Name, maker of heaven and earth. We pray also for those who have recently died. We ask blessings and comfort for their families and friends. Our help is in your Blessed Name, maker of heaven and earth.
Presider: We thank you again and again for all your goodness, and especially for our life here on Orcas Island. Please help us to live in balance that we may better protect the creatures of the air, the earth, and the sea around us. Let us hold the well-being of our children, their parents and teachers, and all sentient beings central in our hearts. Help us to be mindful, remembering that whatever we do in your name, however small our e?orts, will help us to grow in loving kindness, now and forever. Amen.