People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: From Then 'Til Now, and Beyond ~ 23rd Sunday after Pentecost '22 Yr C

For Sunday, November 13, 2022, Readings: Malachi 4:1-2a, Psalm 98, 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13, Luke 21:5-19

But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings. [Malachi 4:2a]

O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things...Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth...He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity. [Psalm 98:1a, 4a, 9b]

For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work...Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. [2 Thessalonians 3:11,13]

When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified…many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and “The time is near!” Do not go after them…By your endurance you will gain your souls. [Luke 21:8b, 9a, 19]

We are finishing up election season in this country and elsewhere as I write, and all the potential and threatening narratives of outcomes and events around the world seem to be written into this Gospel, indeed in all of these readings. The vitriol, derisiveness, and divisiveness of the electioneering has families and friends turning against each other. There are earthquakes, hurricanes, famines, terrorist acts, random violence, personal tragedies, and somewhere there are lions, and tigers, and bears, Oh My, and things that go bump in the night.

Let us take a breath and stop living in the fear that more terrible things will happen. Yes, of course they will, they ALWAYS HAVE, from the beginning of time not a day goes by on this earth without something dreadful happening to someone, or to many, and the instant access to muddied headlines confirms the fear we are conditioned to have to keep us from moving forward in faith. But life is filled with many wonderful and life-giving moments also, if we but look for and turn to the light to find, see, and appreciate them.

Jesus tells us not to fear wars and insurrections, betrayals, natural disasters, and not to be led astray by those who falsely claim to know when the end time is near. Whether or not we each and every are living in a difficult time at this moment, Jesus told us: I will give you words and a wisdom...By your endurance you will gain your souls.

Whatever our individual fears, know that the fears of others are the same. Let our enduring work begin with prayer for confidence in God's sun of righteousness to rise. Let us shake ourselves out of idleness borne of the paralysis of fear that masks itself as hate and anger. Let us move out of living in grief to finding grace-filled purpose in our brief earthly time. Let us not be idle in our faith together or separately, and never, ever, weary of doing what is right. Whatever is to come, take heart in the assurance that if we stay together and in faith on this path, our souls will not perish through any evil doing now nor in any time to come. Let us keep Jesus as the Bedrock of our Faith, from all that has gone before, is now, and will ever be; from then 'til now, and beyond. Let us each day Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ O Lord of Hosts, strengthen us to begin within ourselves to sing a new song of Your marvelous works in our midst. Free us from idle faith and empower our hearts to serve You with joy, even in the midst of difficult times, never wearying of doing all that is right in Your name.

O God of Righteousness

RESPONSE: In joy we revere Your Name

~ O Lord of Hosts, we lift up our prayers for all who lead this World, this Country, and this Community by election, fiat, or inheritance. Implant in their souls a deepening hunger for unquestionable integrity, global and local peace, and justice tempered with mercy for all people everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

O God of Righteousness