Prayers of Thanksgiving, Intercession, and Petition

Shared during Sunday Worship on May 17, 2026.

When the apostle Paul tells us the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us, we admit, dear Lord, this is hard for us to imagine.

When we see war and violence devastating the people of this earth, we ache with the same anguish we know our dear Lord Jesus does. So, we ask Your Spirit’s power to bring that endless peace promised so long ago to the peoples of Sudan, Myanmar, Israel, Palestine, Ukraine, Russia, the Congo, Mali, and Haiti.

But there are other conflicts being waged in people's minds and souls, especially in our young people. We ask that you show us how, as a city and a land, we might recreate what it means to grow into adulthood so that each person might know they are infinitely treasured by You, and You have given them a purpose in this place. Let them know that their worth is not measured by grades or success, by looks or athletic prowess. You look at the heart, dear Lord, and cleanse them and grant them a sense of joy and the innocence of youth once again.

And yet we see signs of strength and resilience, of purpose and presence in our youth and in our people. We are grateful for the programs of this church, for Sunday school, for youth group, for children's choirs and after school classes, and all of the people that devote a portion of themselves to fulfill the vows the congregation made at baptism.

On this brilliant sunny day, we look forward with exceeding joy to step outside these doors and to gather at the strawberry festival, where the church and school and the community all celebrate not only the bright sunshine but the brightness of fellowship of the people of God. Many hands have brought us to this moment, all for the purpose of glorifying Your name through the gift of each other. We know that such a grand celebration and feast is indeed what you have in store for us when we move into glory, when You reveal Your glory.

So we are reminded that the apostle Paul wrote these words in the midst of his own deep struggles, ostracized by his people, betrayed by his new communities, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and beaten. And yet Paul not only survives, he rejoices, not only does he forgive, but he loves, not only does he receive, but he gives everything. So yes, dear Lord, we do seize this promise that the gift of Your son Jesus and the abundant life he offers us all is beyond comparison. Let us seize it with courageous faith, live it with such passion that others are infected by Your love. We pray all this in great thanksgiving to Jesus Christ your Son, our Lord. Amen.