This prayer of lament originally appeared in "A Closer Look at Worship—Week 2: Honesty in Our Covenant Relationship."
A Prayer of Lament and Fear
O God, your people have always had their fears.
And so we come to you in humility and with honesty, naming our own.
Lord, we fear the future. What is coming next?
“Will there be a place for me when I’m done with high school or college?” we young people ask.
“Will there be safe places for our children?” we parents ask.
“Will I die in peace and with dignity?” we seniors ask.
Refrain: "Don't Be Afraid" Bell
O God, your people have always had their fears.
And so we come to you in humility and with honesty, naming our own.
Lord, we fear the future. What is coming next?
“Will there be a place for me when I’m done with high school or college?” we young people ask.
“Will there be safe places for our children?” we parents ask.
“Will I die in peace and with dignity?” we seniors ask.
Lord, we fear the pain that comes with illness and broken bones and aging.
Some of us wonder how we’re going to make it through more treatment and medication.
Some of us wonder how we can possibly face chronic illness.
Some of us wonder if prayers for healing even reach your throne.
Physical pain frightens us.
Refrain: "Don't Be Afraid" Bell
Lord, as a church, we wonder about our ministries and programs.
What if they don’t “work”?
What if outreach and faith nurture don’t happen?
We fear the dependence we have to have on your Spirit
to be One to breathe life into Christians and non-Christians.
Refrain: "Don't Be Afraid" Bell
Lord, we are afraid of people who are different than ourselves.
Those more powerful than us,
those poorer than us,
those of a different color or creed,
those smarter than us,
those with different personalities.
How do we talk to these people, O God?
How do we make peace with them?
Refrain: "Don't Be Afraid" Bell
Lord, we have acquaintances, friends, family members whom we deeply love,
but who do not know you.
We are afraid for their salvation.
Refrain: "Don't Be Afraid" Bell
We admit, O God, that we’re fearful of stillness and quiet.
It seems as if the last thing we want to do
is slow down and be attentive to you.
Help us not to shy away from quiet times,
from the simplicity of prayer, scripture, and your presence.
It seems, O God, that, in the busyness of countless invitations
to parties and activities we are afraid to say no.
Refrain: "Don't Be Afraid" Bell
And for all those fears for which we cannot name,
we come to you, O God.
Those we cannot name because they’re either unknown or unspeakable,
receive them in our silence.
Refrain: "Don't Be Afraid" Bell
We are fearful so often, O Lord,
because, in encounters with sin and evil,
we find ourselves weak and poor.
We thank you so much then, Jesus,
for your actions and for your words—
for love and the promise of nearness,
which are our strength and our riches.
Amen.
Song of Gratitude: “Give Thanks” Smith
