Prayer for the People of Wisconsin

Prayer for the People of Wisconsin

Good and gracious God, for your providence and your presence in the midst of daily life, I give you honor and praise. In these days chaos, conflict, and division have become common news and shared experiences of many people in the world. But in our state, this has come close to the lives of people I know, even my own. I watch the reports of thousands of protestors, peacefully and passionately showing up in our capital, expressing concerns about changes in law. We are a state divided over how money should be allocated and revenues collected.

In these days of conflict,anxieties rise because many people are uncertain, even fearful, about what is happening in our state and what the future may hold. I understand everyone shares the fact that we will need to learn to live with fewer resources distributed by state government. The anxiety comes from the disagreements over who should pay more, who should receive less, and how we're going to agree to the changes needed to be good stewards of the financial affairs of our state.

God, in the midst of this debate, help me to live peacefully with family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors who hold different opinions. Help me God to admit whatever emotions I hold this day: anger, fear, hurt, confusion. Give me the wisdom of Jesus to rise above fear and anger. Remind me that you have adopted me in Baptism and claimed me and all the baptized as your children, wherever we stand in this conflict. I confess that I have strayed from the command of Jesus to love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. Send me out in the midst of this debate to be a peacemaker.

God, I admit that I have biases in this debate. I look forevidence that justifies my position in this conflict. I know I hold biases which make it difficult to listen to those who hold different positions. God, give me the ability to listen and learn from others. Stop me from believing that those who hold an opposing position are wrong or deserving of contempt. Free me from unkind thoughts toward them. God, help all the people of Wisconsin find common ground. Give me the courage to speak fairly and respectfully with those who hold different opinions.

God, I know deep within all people are greed and envy. I too easily can be jealous of those who have benefits or advantages I don't have. I can be envious of those who have greater resources. I too easily accept the thinking that "If I don't have these benefits or rights, then you shouldn't have them either." Save me from tearing others down, diminishing their rights or their importance.

God, send your Spirit to help me pray for all people involved in the debate in this state. May I pray for those I feel persecute me or my family or friends. May I pray by name for those people I see as troublesome. Soften my heart and calm my mind so that I can see that they are your children, too.

God, forgive me for trusting in my own resources and abilities in times of conflict and confusion. Forgive me for lack of trust in You. Forgive me for being selfish and self-serving with money. Forgive us all for spending enormous amounts of money to influence political decisions and processes.

God, I pray for those who have been called into public service. Bless them, protect them and give them, the strength of spirit to work tirelessly for the well-being of all people in our state.

I pray today:

For teachers and their families. Teachers are professionals who do the God-given service of shaping the children of our state, using the gifts you've given them to develop well-rounded, thoughtful, and educated people dedicated to contributing to thecommon good. Thank you God for teachers and their families.

God, teachers today feel attacked, blamed, disrespected, unappreciated and under siege. Remind them that as they serve people, they serve you. Help them to know they are appreciated for the contributions they make each day - so many acts which go unrecognized. Use us to comfort them and speak words of hope to them as they ponder the possibility of cuts in compensation and uncertainty about the priority of public education in this state. Protect them from discouragement and resentment. - lift them above contempt, provide for their needs, and give them the spirit to continue to use their gifts for the benefit of their students.

I pray:

For school and university administrators, support staff, board members, maintenance workers, coaches, bus drivers, and all who make our schools effective centers for learning and stewarding the next generation of leaders for this world;

For the school children, teenagers, and university students of this state. May the legacy of Wisconsin's priority of public education continue to bless this emerging generation as it has blessed so many who have gone before. Raise up these young people to be leaders so desperately needed to provide for a brighter future in our state and who can contribute positively to the betterment of this world;

For police officers, troopers, prison guards, and firefighters.Thank you for the protection they provide for all;

For social workers, social service employees, county health providersand for their service to the under-privileged of this state - the men, women, and children who fall between the cracks and could not live without assistance;

God, we forget the blessing that orderly communities and good government provide for our lives. Together with all public servants of our state, you give us the opportunity and God-given responsibility to create a peaceful, orderly society. Bless our efforts toward that common goal.

I pray:

For Governor Walker.Give him a spirit of respect for all, the ability to listen to opposing viewpoints, patience, and the desire to arrive at goals and priorities that encompass both sides of this debate. May his work be noted by wisdom, dedicated to provide for not primarily the immediate, but the long-term well-being of all the people of our state;

For the men and women of the legislature. I pray that they might hear the concerns of their constituents more than the directives of their party leaders. Give them courage to stand on firm convictions that serve the common good and not simply party platforms;

For county and local leaders of cities, townships, and villages as they face the task of leadership through these difficult times.Their jobs will be increasingly challenging as fewer resources come from state funds. Guide them with wisdom and fairness as they seek to provide for the people of their municipalities.

God I entrust all these public servants to you.Provide them with wise guidance and spirits marked by patience, compassion, and understanding. Give all our leaders the ability to change political discourse from win or lose, to consensus. Remind them of the power entrusted to them to work for the common good. I know these are very trying times for elected and appointed leaders. Bless them as they work in the midst of certain and challenging times.

Finally God, I pray for myself. Give me strength of spirit and steadfast faith so that my words, actions, attitudes, and thoughts reflect the grace and mercy given me in Christ. Forgive me of my sin, the willful words and actions that have not reflected Your ways and the lack of action and effort that leave good things undone.

God, I entrust to you all for whom I pray, grateful for the ways you serve all your people in Christ and hopeful that through the Spirit at work in and around me, I might strive for justice, make for peace, bring healing to the hurt, calm the anxious, and contribute to the common good of all the people of our state and world. In the strong and life-giving ways of your Son, Jesus Christ, Ipray. Amen.

Pastor Kurt Jacobson

Trinity Lutheran Church ELCA