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A Prayer about Hope in Dark Valleys

A Prayer about Hope in Dark Valleys

Even when I walk 

through the darkest valley, 

I will not be afraid, 

for you are close beside me. 

Your rod and your staff 

protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Lord, our Good Shepherd,

As we walk through dark valleys, 

valleys that feel like death, 

valleys that lead to death,

[Name some valleys you are currently walking through or have walked through.]

We will not be afraid,

[Name any fears you have felt.]

For you are close beside us.

[Name how you have known God’s presence with you.]

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort us.

[Name the protection from harm and the comfort in grief and pain you have known].

In the name of our comforting Shepherd, Jesus, we pray.

Amen. 

Read Psalm 23.

 

A Prayer about Where to Turn in Danger

A Prayer about Where to Turn in Danger

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. Daniel 2:20

Saving God,

Few of us have ever faced the threats

of a despot king as Daniel did,

but many of us have faced the threat

of danger

from an unjust boss,

a biased system,

or a dread diagnosis.

When we are faced with dark threats,

calm our minds and ease our panic.

Help us to do what Daniel did—

ask our friends to pray

and face our enemy with equanimity,

knowing the Lord who made heaven and earth

is our helper.

When you help us,

draw our hearts to bow before you

thanking you and praising you

as Daniel did:

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons;

he removes kings and sets up kings;

he gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:20-21).

In Jesus’ protecting name. Amen.

Read Daniel 2:1-24.

A Prayer about Help When We’re Vulnerable

A Prayer about Help When We’re Vulnerable

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1

Maker of Heaven and Earth,

Whatever makes us feel vulnerable, weak, frail:

Our jobs, our health, our finances,

our families, our relationships,

the steady stream of bad news that flits across our screens…

Send us to our knees,

send us to our Bibles,

to remember where our help comes from—

From you, our Lord, our God,

our Shepherd, our Father,

our King of Kings and Prince of Peace.

You just happen to be the Creator of all good things,

the warrior who defeated evil,

the Risen One who overcame death,

the returning One who will bring us

to live forever in your eternal city of light and love,

of healing and joy,

in the new heavens and the new earth.

Indeed, Lord, in our weakness,

we have every reason to hope,

for you keep our lives safe and secure.

In Jesus’ protecting name. Amen.

Read Psalm 121.

A Prayer of Lament for the Abused and Betrayed

A Prayer of Lament for the Abused and Betrayed

When my spirit faints within me, you know my way! In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Psalm 142:3

Holy and Just God,

We use the words of Psalm 142

to cry out to you

on behalf of all who have suffered

injustice,

betrayal,

and abuse:

We pour out our complaints;

We tell you our troubles:

Too many children suffer harm at the hands

of those who are meant to show them your security;

Too many women suffer harm from the voices

of men who are meant to show them your tenderness;

Too many people of color suffer harm from the systems

that are meant to show them your protection.

For those who feel

“there is none who takes notice of me;

no refuge remains to me;

no one cares for my soul,” (Psalm 142: 3-4),

We cry out.

Show them that you are indeed

their “refuge,

[their] portion in the land of the living” (Psalm 142:5).

Deliver them from their “persecutors,

for they are too strong for [them]” (Psalm 142:6).

We urge you, Lord,

to make these wrongs right,

because you indeed are righteous,

and “you will deal bountifully with [us]” (Psalm 142:7).

In Jesus righteous name. Amen.

Read Psalm 142.

A Prayer about Being Delivered from Distress

A Prayer about Being Delivered from Distress

Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things, let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord. Psalm 107: 43

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for Psalm 107,

which teaches us that we become wise

by remembering the stories of how we cried out to you in trouble,

and you delivered us from our distress (Psalm 107:6).

When we sat in darkness and the shadow of death,

We cried out to you in trouble

and you delivered us from our distress.

When we were destroying ourselves and others through our own sin and folly,

We cried out to you in trouble,

and you delivered us from our distress.

When we were pummeled by storms of disaster,

We cried out to you in trouble,

and you delivered us from our distress.

When we trudged through spiritual deserts,

We cried out to you in trouble,

and you delivered us from our distress.

When we plunged in despair because of “oppression, evil, and sorrow,”

We cried out to you in trouble,

and you delivered us from our distress.

Lord, may we consider each and every day the many ways

you have delivered us from our distress.

In Jesus’ saving name. Amen.

Read Psalm 107. 

A Prayer about Hope that Doesn’t Shame Us

A Prayer about Hope that Doesn’t Shame Us

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5

Father God,

What a kind promise:

Hope does not put us to shame…

Many of us have known the shame 

of hoping for things on this earth—

hoping that our parents would get back together, 

hoping that our wandering child would return to you, 

hoping that we’d get that good job—

all good things to hope for, 

and yet we’ve felt shame about those hopes disappointed.

You dare us to hope again, 

promising that your love has been “poured into our hearts” (Romans 5:5).

Because of that love, even if our earthly hopes are disappointed, 

our hopes for the future are secure. 

One day, Jesus will return. 

One day, you will wipe away tears shed on this earth.

 One day, you welcome us warmly to your new heavens and new earth, 

where all hopes are fulfilled in your glorious kingdom. 

We can hardly wait for that day.

In Jesus’ hope-giving name we pray. Amen. 

Read Romans 5:5; Revelation 21:1-5.