A Prayer For Those In Trouble

We hold before you, God:
those for whom life is very difficult today;
those who have lost everything in the literal and figurative storms of recent days,
those who have difficult decisions to make, and
those who honestly do not know which end is up or what is the right thing to do.

We hold before you, Creator:
those who have difficult tasks to do and to face
and who fear that they fail in them or
become overwhelmed by life's rubble.

We hold before you, God of Courage:
those who have difficult temptations of action or apathy to face,
and who know only too well that they may fall to them
if they try to meet them alone.

We hold before you, Peace Giver:
those who are their own worst enemy.

We hold before you, Transforming God:
those who have difficult people to work with, and
those who suffer unjust treatment, unfair criticism, unappreciated work,
overlooked need, and socioeconomic prejudice.

We hold before you, Living God:
those who are sad because someone they love has been taken.
We hold before you the grief, and anger, and tears, and relief,
knowing that death brings emotions that are difficult to ride.

Oh, God of Grace, we hold before you any who are
disappointed in something for which they have desperately longed,
heartbroken for something which has been lost,
tired from something that has drained their energy, or
shocked by something which has devastated their souls.

We hold them before you, God.
Right here, right now.
We hold them before you, God.
Hands open wide...

Amen.

(adapted by D. Deaton from "A general intercession for those in trouble," pg. 218, Celtic Daily Prayer