Lord, Hear Our Prayer

Usually, I share the Sunday gospel reading here in this space on the weekend. This morning, though, I've opted for a different scripture choice--a short verse we could all commit to memory this week.

I have a sweet young friend who is getting married next weekend. Her parents' home is in Colorado Springs. They've been evacuated. Wedding is still on. Reception site still to be determined, last I heard. The picture above is from her big sister's Facebook page (taken from a local news page). I love this family and my prayers have been with Mary for a long time. Really, this week, I can think of little else. 

A girl's wedding is the stuff of long held dreams. This Colorado wedding had all the makings of a fairy tale. God assures us that His plan is even better than fairy tales. So, I hope that you will pray with me for Mary and Paul in the days before their wedding.

And we reach out in prayer to everyone affected by the fires in the mountains.

{from big sister Megan--view from their evacuee home}

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;” 1 Peter 4:12

{Sally Clarkson, who has gathered evacuees into her Colorado heart and home, brings this wisdom and understanding to the week's verse.}

Finally, as we approach Independence Day and the end of the Fortnight for Freedom, as we absorb the reality that right now Catholics will be forced to choose between deeply held religious convictions and the law of this land, we pray for religious liberty.

O God our Creator,

from your provident hand we have received our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
You have called us as your people and given us the right and the duty to worship you, the only true God, and your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through the power and working of your Holy Spirit,
you call us to live out our faith in the midst of the world,
bringing the light and the saving truth of the Gospel
to every corner of society.

We ask you to bless us
in our vigilance for the gift of religious liberty.
Give us the strength of mind and heart
to readily defend our freedoms when they are threatened;
give us courage in making our voices heard
on behalf of the rights of your Church
and the freedom of conscience of all people of faith.

Grant, we pray, O heavenly Father,
a clear and united voice to all your sons and daughters
gathered in your Church
in this decisive hour in the history of our nation,
so that, with every trial withstood
and every danger overcome—
for the sake of our children, our grandchildren,
and all who come after us—
this great land will always be "one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

As always, please allow us the privilege to pray for your intentions, too, by leaving a quick note in the comments.