Prayer for America 01/27/06

Compassionate God, our country has known great sorrow. We understand that pain and death are a part of life, but although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of healing--your healing, O God.

In our suffering, our nation always has chosen to unite and turn to you in prayer. We feel the pain of all your children: the poor and homeless, innocent victims of violence, survivors of natural disasters, those who have lost homes and belongings and livelihoods, those in physical pain.

Hear us, Lord, when we cry out to you. Bless us with your everlasting care. Bless us with your mercy, ease our pain, and restore us to wholeness. Only you can bring good out of evil and turn sorrow into joy.