Bethany Hang Out

O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble;
You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear
To vindicate the orphan and the oppressed,
So that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror.

Psalm 107:17-18

Opening Invocation

God of compassion, we bring into your presence all that weighs on our hearts this week, especially the human suffering and the most frightening things we see and hear of in the news daily. We gather these headlines not to dwell in despair or fear, but to bring them into the refuge of your healing presence. 

Deep Focus

Many seek the ruler’s favor,
But justice for man comes from the LORD.

Proverbs 29:26

Lord, we have had a scare about the possible end of free speech in our country this week. Our media is capitulating to tyranny and even loyalists to the administration are starting to worry. Peaceful protestors are thrown to the ground, comedians who make fun of the president are silenced, newspapers tone down what’s happening and oppression is becoming normalized. We’re kind of freaked out. Real justice comes from you, Lord, as well as the strength to oppose what is wrong. May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to you, O God. We pray that freedom of speech be protected as part of respecting the dignity of the human person and human rights. Let us never be afraid to speak up when not to do so would disappoint you who love us so much.

*Spend a few quiet moments with Jesus, drawing strength from his presence. Maybe it feels like warmth. Maybe it is like light. Maybe it is like being grounded. Maybe it is living water you drink. However you perceive it, let the Lord share his strength with you.

Other Intercessions/headlines of this week

Thus says the LORD, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the immigrant, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Jeremiah 22:3

Again, Lord, our military blew up a boat full of people on the high seas without provocation, without proof of wrongdoing, without due process or warning. This is hard to understand. We pray for the souls of each of those people, and a clear resolution of what is happening. May there be no more killing by our government, God of righteousness, especially without true cause.

Immigrants continue to be rounded up and some are dying in detention when they are denied medical care or medication their lives depend on. These raids are becoming more and more violent. How do we help, Lord? What do we do? Send us your Spirit and give us the peace of inner conviction. Grant us the knowledge of when and how to act on their behalf. Show us openings in our days to do or say something, a mind that is open, a heart that is good. Bless our efforts and open doors before us. Let us run lightly and with great confidence in your paths. Bend our hearts according to your will so that we may be truly free and help you free others.

Protect, Lord, our politicians and leaders, no matter who they are or what they believe in, from political violence. Stabilize our nation. Help us dialog without compromising our values. Help us be open to all that is right whoever it comes from. Grant us peace in our country so we can understand the problems we face.

We are living with a president who loves vengeance and is obviously on a vendetta. Are we taking his attitude toward opposition? Are we becoming mean or hateful? Do we hope for retribution? Lord do not allow us to become bitter but help us to become better. Help us to stand against evil without taking on its characteristics of violence, lies, distortion and hate. We pray for our president also that he will be healed of all the things that make him so hateful and unhappy. Grant him the peace and joy of love and forgiveness instead, and we ask this for ourselves as well.

We continue to pray for the Palestinian people who are being bombed and starved. We pray for those trapped in Gaza City, or who could find no safety anywhere. Lord, speak to your people. May the violent relent. May there be lasting and just peace in Palestine and Israel, in Ukraine and Russia, everywhere there is the hell on earth of war.

We pray for free and fair election, for peaceful transfers of power.

We pray for the protection of protestors and those who resist, that they will be protected from violence and interference, that their voices will be heard.

We pray for free speech, for the freedom of information and knowledge in our schools and universities, for the freedom to learn the history of marginalized people, for the freedom for scientific inquiry.

We pray for the health of the public, for proper information about health so people can make good decisions for themselves and those in their care.

We pray for our Republic which is under great stress right now. May we see freedom reign. May our country stand for everything it thinks it stands for. Amen amen, let us be a free people in all the ways that are good.

Closing blessing

God, in the moments when the news overwhelms, steady our spirits with the reminder that you hold the world- sun and star, nation and neighbor, beetle and bug, atom and quark, as well as our frightened hearts in your hands and that you remain you even if worlds fall. May your peace shape our hearts, your justice and love shape our actions this week. Lead us in your ways. We ask all these things in your Name, in your honor, and for love of you and our brothers and sisters. Amen