My deepest thanks to my colleague and friend Casey Cross, Young Disciples Minister at Hope Lutheran Church, Eagle, for adapting this for the Confirmation Co-op Students and Families for Holy Week 2020. I will admit that I was not too keen on participating on my own, but I got a nudge from another colleague last night, the weather is beautiful on this Holy Saturday in Nampa, and I needed to stretch my legs. It should not surprise me that it ended up being a very good experience. I hope this becomes a helpful meditation for my readers during the Season of Easter. Maybe you will take the prayer to the streets of your community (on foot, by car, or in your mind).

Home – The Lord’s Prayer
Begin at your “home base” together praying your preferred version of the Lord’s

Pray together.

Place of Healing – Merciful God, your healing power is everywhere about us. Strengthen those who work among the sick; give them courage and confidence in all they do. Encourage them when their efforts seem futile or when death prevails. Increase their trust in your power even to overcome death and pain and crying. May they be thankful for every sign of health you give, and humble before the mystery of your healing grace…. (ELW Pastoral Care, page 194)

I had my annual physical via telehealth this week through Saltzer. Giving thanks for my doctor who put me at ease and told me how to get tested for COVID-19 if I ever feel symptomatic.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Place of Leadership – We remember in our prayers civil servants, legislators and politicians and pray their work, deliberations and decisions consider the diversity of humanity, factors that contribute to communities flourishing and the well-being of people with critical needs (ELCA Prayer Ventures September 2016).

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Place of Education – God of wisdom, you have created us with the tools we need to learn, grow, and understand. We thank you for the gifts of education and educators. Encourage our educators at this time of uncertainty as they see their vocation in a new way. Energize students to explore, imagine, create, and continue to learn, no matter the circumstances. Keep our spaces for learning safe, healthy, and open for all to boldly ask questions and seek answers.

Nampa High School

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Faith Community – Gathering God, like a mother hen you gather us under your sheltering wings. Though we cannot gather in one location as we are used to, we remain under your wing. It is you that bring us together beyond space and time. Guide us as we explore new ways to be community together, remembering that you – not a building – are what unite us and hold us together through it all.

Trinity and Grace have shared an Easter Vigil since 2011–not this year. Giving thanks for our partnership through the years.

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Prayers for the World – You may wish to end your walk together at home, with this prayer for the world.

Every nation has been affected by the far-reaching impacts and loss of life from the coronavirus pandemic. Pray for all countries and for cooperation between nations, our global siblings in Christ, and especially for the health and care of those who are most vulnerable ― elders, people of all ages with severe chronic conditions, and those who suffer poverty and lack of medical care (ELCA Prayer Ventures April 2020).

Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Other Options – Feel free to include some or all of these to your list of prayer petitions, walk, and/or site visits.

Senior Community

Prayers for all the seniors who do not have this as a place to gather right now

Closed Business

“Essential” Place of Business

Giving thanks for amazing customer service at Mountain West Bank, as Trinity New Hope affordable housing and Trinity Lutheran applied through them for the Paycheck Protection Program.

A “Non-Essential” Place You Miss

(Like a movie theater, park, etc.)

A Local Park or Outdoor Recreation Site