Image: Kathryn M Schreiber ©2023. Lenten Prayer Fence at Berkeley Chinese Community Church, UCC .

Prayer: Inspired by parts of the Good Friday prayer in The Book of Common Prayer, ©1990, The Episcopal Church. Edited and adapted by Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber for 2023 Lenten worship theme “Through the Valley of Gun Death with the Prince of Peace.”

Dear Prince of Peace,

in the shadow of all suffering,

at the foot of Your Cross,

remind us that You came to be with us

entering the muck, the mire, and the funk (cw)

of our imperfect human condition

to deliver us from sin and death

offering us salvation and everlasting life

cultivating hope amid our despair.

Thank You, merciful Messiah.

On this Good Friday,

with Christians, on earth and in heaven,

we pray for and with everyone.

We pray for Your Church –

may we be true to Your ways

always open to all,

brave in speaking truth,

humbly led by the Spirit.

(pause)

We pray for our nation

and all who serve in authority –

may our leaders serve the Common Good

attending the needs of the most vulnerable,

relying upon Holy guidance and wisdom.

(pause)

We pray for our world,

all living beings and all human nations –

may we dwell together in mutual support,

growing in goodwill and love for each other

for the survival and dignity of all beings.

(pause)

We pray for and with those who suffer

in heart, mind, body, or soul.

Grant unto each one healing comfort

while anointing everyone to embody

Your eternally befriending presence.

(pause)

We pray for all who grieve,

as persons and as communities,

knowing You hear our cries,

calling out as You did,

asking for sacred mercy and care,

aching for justice and righteousness.

(pause)

O God, we pray that our Lenten practice –

paying attention to gun violence –

has opened us to being of important service.

We have seen what You see.

We have felt what You feel;

now put us to use.

We pray for our little congregation

and Your mighty call to share

the Gospel of God’s Big Love

bringing You joy and glory,

blessing our neighbors,

and uplifting our own precious souls.

Prince of Peace,

Conqueror of Eternal Separation,

into the quiet of private prayer

we bring You our personal, silent prayers.

Hear our prayers.

(Silence)

The Lord’s Prayer

AMEN.

Worship Resources:

The Book of Common Prayer, ©1990, The Episcopal Church.

(cw) Cornell West, from a comment about the difference between optimism and hope on this Master Class webpage, 2023.

Residency Acknowledgement: This content was written in Huichin Village, unceded territory of the Lisjan- Ohlone people, where I dwell and serve as a local church pastor. Please support indigenous rematriation efforts, the #LandBack movement, and give to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Soghttps://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ and other non-profits that reform, balance, and heal relationships with our indigenous hosts. Thank you!

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Online Publishing Date: April 4, 2023.

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Donation: Due to the current coronavirus pandemic this content is free. If you’d like to support the congregation I serve as pastor – Berkeley Chinese Community Church – we’d be most grateful for your support. Please send checks to: BCCC UCC, 2117 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA 94702, Attn: Diane Huie, Treasurer. Thank you!

For Online Content: Please see Facebook pages: “Berkeley Chinese Community Church” and “Living Liturgies”; as well as my website: www.inthebiglove.com and SoundCloud: “in the big love”