Dearest Lord Jesus, we do not know how to explain the present time — the violence, the suffering, the wounds to the earth and its inhabitants.  We seek your guidance in healing love.

Pioneer and perfecter, we follow in your blessed steps.

Dearest Lord Jesus, help us, the members of your church, to follow the example of your godly life, that we might speak and do your work, in deepest love for the world.

Pioneer and perfecter, we follow in your blessed steps.

Dearest Lord Jesus, we are deeply concerned about the level of gun violence in our country.  Be with our president, governors, senators and representatives as they legislate controls.  

Pioneer and perfecter, we follow in your blessed steps.

Dearest Lord Jesus, your instructions are clear:  save and weak and the orphan, defend the humble and needy, rescue the weak and the poor.  Guide us in the work of love.

Pioneer and perfecter, we follow in your blessed steps.

Dearest Lord Jesus, seen from space, our world is a great, blue-green miracle.  Help us to save the Earth from the degradation that we, ourselves, create.

Pioneer and perfecter, we follow in your blessed steps.

Dearest Lord Jesus, in faith, we ask for your loving presence with those who suffer sickness and injury.  We ask your loving presence with those who suffer loss of home, job, love, and life.  We ask your loving presence with those who have passed and the families and friends who grieve them.  We especially ask for your loving presence with those we now name, silently and aloud (pause), including those on our prayer list:

Pioneer and perfecter, we follow in your blessed steps.

Presider:  Dearest Lord Jesus, pioneer and perfecter of our faith, we beseech you in deepest love for you and your creation.