Heartbroken prayer

Abba Father, our hearts mourn in the wake of this near-constant violence and injustice! Our hearts break as harassment and violence escalate, not just around the country, but in our own neighborhoods and communities. We are scared. We are angry. We are exhausted. We are overwhelmed. We are hurting. We are heartbroken.
 
How long, oh Lord, must your precious children suffer and die because our divisive political system does not bring us together in outrage and determination to make changes that address the deeper roots of this complex problem of violence, mental health and weapons reform? How long must the vulnerable suffer the fear of abuse and violence? How many more will die? Lord, have mercy!
 
We pray for those whose voices and stories have been dismissed or ignored. We pray for those who feel unseen or erased by society. We pray for those who are not seen as image-bearers of God. We pray for those who are afraid to leave their homes, take their children to school, go to work or to the store. We pray for those who have no words, only tears, for what their hearts hold.
 
Lord, our world is so broken! We know this is not Your plan for your creation. Our hearts ache as we remember the most recent victims – innocent elementary school children,   We pray for their families and loved ones who are today facing unimaginable futures without their beloved children. 
 
Lord, you are the God of all creation. You are our defender and protector. You are our healer and comforter. You are our hope and our strength. You are Immanuel and You are with us. We pray that we would experience Your resurrection power at work in our lives and in our communities. We pray that your peace would overcome all fears, your healing would overcome all brokenness, and your love would overcome all evil.
 
We pray for all of us - your sons and daughters of every ethnicity and culture - that we would honor you by honoring the image of you in ourselves and in others. We pray that you would free all of us from the sins of prejudice, hatred, and misused power. Bring us all to a place of repentance and transformation in You. Help us to love mercy, do justice and walk humbly with You. Help us to care for one another. Help us to truly love you with all our hearts, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Grace and peace,
Anita Sorenson
Pastor for Spiritual Formation