O Lord,
we wait for you to come again into our midst.
Sometimes we wait patiently, sometimes not.
Always we are aware of how much the world needs you.
We pray today for those in our community
who need your healing and comfort.
(Pause for naming.)
We pray for persons in leadership across our country,
that together we might make wise decisions.
(Pause for naming.)
We pray for brothers and sisters around the world,
whose lives are torn apart by war.
(Pause for naming.)
We pray for the saints who have witnessed to your love.
(Pause for naming.)
We pray, knowing that you are with us now,
and that you will strengthen us to keep awake,
to keep the faith,
to keep working for the time
when Christ will come again to surprise us anew
with love and justice on earth. Amen.