Creator God,

May those whose work is making theatre
Be seen as valuable and meaningful.
May we hold the art and skill of telling stories
An essential aspect of our society. 

May the stories that unfold on stage
Cultivate empathy for others:
For suffering and solidarity in community,
For the brokenness and brilliance of humanity.

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.”

Father in Heaven,
Everything we have
Comes from You.

We pray for financial security
For our household,
And the households of our neighbors.

God of delight and wonder,

We lift our gratitude for the joy of winter play
for the rush of sleds speeding down slopes,
for snowballs launched in giddy delight,
for skates that glide and twirl on frozen ponds.

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.