Father in Heaven,
We come before You today with gratitude
For the life of Your servant, Julia Greeley.

We thank You for the protection of her body—
Even through the pain
Of enslavement, scarring, sickness, and struggle,
She endured and carried out the call You assigned her.

Father in Heaven,
Thank you for our city.
We love our city.
You love our city.

You are the one who raises up leaders.
All authority comes from You. (Romans 13:1)
Today, we pray for our mayor.

Father in Heaven,
Thank You for fathers
Who are Your beloved sons.

May they be loving and wise
As they seek to provide and protect
The children You have entrusted to them
Each with distinct purpose and unique passions.

God,
Thank You for creating mothers
In Your bold and tender image.

Thank You for how mothers have reflected You—
Compassionate as a cleft in the rock,
Protective as an eagle brooding over her young,
Loving as the breath that gives us life. 

God who knows suffering,
remind us this Lenten season
that the hard and heavy we carry
is not without good and Holy Company.

God who knows resurrection,
remind us this Lenten season
that even the tiniest glimmer of hope
exclaims, “this is not the end.”

Eternal God,

We thank You for Jesus,
Who calls us to love our neighbors.
And commands us to “Love our enemies.”
His ethic of love is a radiant light
Everywhere and at all times.

Father in Heaven,

May the threshold of our home be wide enough
For every neighbor to be welcomed,
For every friend to enter at ease,
And for all those looking for a place of belonging.

Father in Heaven,
May the growth of my neighbor’s weeds
Be an unexpected invitation
To my continued growth and formation.

May we forgive our neighbors who trespass against us:
For un-shoveled sidewalks and un-mowed lawns;
For late-night backyard parties and loud music

Father in Heaven,
May all who enter our home this year
Find the Light of Christ
Here among us.

The light shines in the darkness
And the darkness has not overcome it.
We are easily distracted by the darkness of unease and anxiety.
Light of Christ, shine in our lives,
and in Your world with Your renewing hope.

“What are you seeking?”
May Your question
Clarify our intention
And be a reminder

Father in Heaven
Our desire is to dwell

To make a home
To be at home
To find our home
Here in Your love

Keep us attentive
To the holy all around us.
May we live today
With resurrection wonder.

Jesus,
How do we remember rightly:
Your last week,
Your last words?