Dear Lord, please be with the peoples of your world, so many of whom are caught up in violence and fractious politics. Tame our hearts.  Let us see each other from multiple perspectives — not simply through the narrow windows of pride and fear.  Help us to understand rather than hate.  Teach us to love.

Dearest Lord, we pray.

Dear Lord, we pray for the worldwide church. Help us to be an example to the the world of brotherly love.  Let us heal where there is injury, love where there is hatred, feed where there is hunger, and shelter those without homes.

Dearest Lord, we pray.

Dearest Lord, we pray for our nation as, once again, we stand at the threshold of war. Help our president and other leaders discern the right path.  We pray with fervent hearts for peace in the world.

Dearest Lord, we pray.

Dearest Lord, we pray for the social order, that those without work will find jobs with pay sufficient to feed and clothe and shelter their families and that their work will bestow both the dignity and fulfillment of contributing members of the community.

Dearest Lord, we pray.

Dearest Lord, we pray for the world of nature. We pray that we may take the long view and see how our actions of today affect the children of tomorrow, not just our human children, but the children of birds and bees and fish and trees and all creatures great and small.  We pray for wisdom in environmental decisions, fully aware of the fragile beauty of our world.

Dearest Lord, we pray.

Dearest Lord, we pray for ourselves and our families and friends and neighbors here on Orcas Island and across the world. Be with us as we begin and end each day.  Keep us safe.  Help us to follow your way as revealed in Christ.  We ask for your blessing on the heads and hearts of those we hold dear, especially those on our parish prayer list.

Dearest Lord, we pray.

Celebrant: Dearest Lord, we know that at your table, the last shall be first and the first shall be last.  Let us remember this teaching as we walk through the world.  Help us to care for and honor those whose needs are greater than our own.