Lord, Protect Them

Jesus prayed, “I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:9-19

Loving God, protector of the innocent

you have raised us to care for the young

for the infirmed, the elderly and the bereaved

you guide us daily to places of gentle rest.

Our hearts on the ground these troubled days

those who invade and wage war take center stage

we worry for all the innocents and vulnerable

and we fall on our knees praying for peace.

You bent low in prayer before your death

praying for those in your tender care

leaning in  and offering all for love's sake

dying so that we might all live with you.

Help us to protect those who need us today

let us remember your words and lessons

make us your hands and your heart here

let love be our mission and our daily response. Amen