First Responders
Father, Son, and Spirit,
You are a God of mercy and justice,
Full of grace and truth.
We pray today for our first responders,
Women and men who answer the call for help.
When sirens ring, they are the ones who come,
Stepping into uncertainty, chaos, and danger.
Their daily work is too often the most tragic day of someone else’s life.
We only glimpse the weight they carry.
They constantly witness brokenness, violence, and heartbreak—
A steady drip of darkness like acid on their soul.
Guard their heart from despair and their soul from cynicism.
Restore to them the quiet courage and perseverance to keep showing up,
And the peace that passes understanding when the burden feels heavy.
We grieve how their noble calling of service
Has been misunderstood or even despised.
We lament those who fail to live up to this call of service,
And pray for these failures to catalyze transformation
Of both individuals and systems within our institutions.
We confess that too often, first responders are called
When we, as neighbors, have failed
To love and care for one another.
May You show us what part we play
In healing the wounds of our own communities.
We offer our prayers for the first responders
Who hold together our neighborhood, community, and city.
Help us remember the unseen who serve on our behalf.
May their lives be strengthened by Your presence,
Their homes filled with Your peace,
And their work held by the hope of Your coming Kingdom.
Amen.
Stephen Redden served as a pastor for over 20 years before returning to his first career in technology services. Stephen serves as an emeritus pastor at New Denver Church and as a volunteer chaplain for the Denver Police Department.
