Scripture prayers from The Message

Here are some Scripture prayers that we can all pray for each other as we persevere under challenging pandemic circumstances - beginning a new school year, juggling work and home needs, dealing with loneliness, depression, exhaustion, health issues, fears, irritability and weariness. Take heart, from Eugene Peterson's The Message:

We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us.  
                                     Colossians 1

Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; If you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.
                                    Psalm 34:17-18

Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.  
                                 1 Corinthians 13:13

Take the old prophets as your mentors. They put up with anything, went through everything, and never once quit, all the time honoring God. What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him in the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail.  
                                    James 5:10-11

Grace and peace,
Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation