Thursday, July 30 — 5:30pm ET — Prospect Park
Join us for a time of prayer in Prospect Park to intercede for one another, our neighbors, our city and our world. We will seek God together for deliverance from this pandemic and for healing of racial divisions and injustice. We will start together and then break into small groups to prayer walk around the park. Those who are unable to join in person are invited to pray with us via Zoom (password: prayer).
Guidelines
We will be taking every precaution to maintain social distancing as we gather, following the critical direction of our health officials to continue slowing the transmission of the virus.
We are asking everyone to:
Keep physical distance (stay six feet apart from anyone not in your own household)
Wear a face covering throughout the gathering
Stay home if sick
Bring the essentials (bring your own hand sanitizer, water bottle, etc.)
Directions
Enter on Prospect Park West (9th Street or 15th Street), then proceed onto the Long Meadow near the ballfields. Our exact location may change depending on conditions in the park to maintain social distancing as a group.
PRAYER GUIDE
After an opening prayer of thanksgiving for being able to gather in person, we will split into groups of 3-4 people and use this guide as we walk and pray. Simply take turns praying for the particular points as guided. Some of you may want to read the prayers and Scripture here; others may want to use it as inspiration and direction and pray with your own words.
PERSONAL
Lord Jesus, I draw near to you today. Through the noise of the crowd, through the tyranny of my task lists, I press in to touch the hem of your garment. By the power of your Holy Spirit, transform me. Renew my mind with your truth. Open my eyes to see where I am still bound in my thinking and actions, and come set me free. I want to walk in alignment with you. Make me attentive to the leading of your Spirit in my every step today. Amen.
Bring your own cares and burdens to God
Team up with someone else and pray prayers of blessing over them. Example:
God be your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore do not fear, though the earth give way,
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult…
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The LORD of hosts is with you; the God of Jacob is your refuge.
(from Psalm 46)
CHURCH COMMUNITY
Suggested Prayer Points:
Unity in dispersion
May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5–6)
Presence - the nearness of God
Many say, “Oh, that we might see better times!” O Lord, let the light of your countenance shine upon us! You put gladness into my heart, more than when grain and wine abound. As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep, for you alone, O Lord, bring security to my dwelling. (Psalm 4:7-9)
Comfort for all in need
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3–7)
OUR CITY AND OUR NATION
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. (Jeremiah 29:7)
Suggested Prayer Points:
Confession of our need for God
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 20:12)
Pray for our Leaders
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
Righteous and just leadership
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. (Proverbs 14)
Renewal in the areas of systemic oppression and injustice
A dramatic change to the recent trend of increased gun violence particularly affecting minority communities in our city
At 6:15, join back where we started for a closing prayer together
'Our People Have Fallen' (offered by Jackie)
God of our weary years and silent tears, we lift up our hearts in praise to you. You alone are able to receive the hailstorm of our tears and the rain of our grief over the death of more than 150,000 of your precious children of all ages, backgrounds and social strata, from the coronavirus pandemic.
Whether or not we have directly experienced the pain of loss, an indescribable spirit of lamentation and sorrow has fallen upon our collective human family.
O God in heaven, hear our heart's cry out for the loss of those who are more than numbers to us. They are beloved mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, grandmothers, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, husbands, wives, children, and extended family. They are beloved fellow neighbours, suddenly wiped out by an Invisible enemy mightier than all the world’s armies. Merciful Lord, we ask you to bless all those now shouldering heavy financial burdens from so great a loss.
All this has happened, Lord God, but we have not forgotten your promise to be with us in trouble and deliver us. Forgive the sin of our nation for the disproportionate number of people of color among the fallen, victimized by health care inequities and the unbearable burden of systemic racial injustice.
We ask you Lord, to wrap loving arms around those left only with memories. You, alone, O God, can turn our mourning into dancing and our grief into joy over the sweet remembrance of our beloved. May you now rest their souls. In your blessed name, Lord God, we pray. Amen.
(Adapted from a prayer by Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner of the National African American Clergy Network)
The Lord’s Prayer (recited together)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name,
Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
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