Prayer for the Weekend Protests – Matthew 25: 31 – 46
Matthew 25: 31 – 46 is known as the “The judgement of nations”. According to the writer of Matthew, there will be a time when all nations (and individuals) will be held accountable for the care and compassion they extended to God’s people and creation.
We are at a time in our culture and communities that we are being called to live out the mandate of Matthew 25 to make sure that those on the margins are cared for with food, water and basic necessities. We are to welcome the stranger and care for those where justice is out of their reach.
This weekend thousands of protests will be held across the country to call our government, our nation, into accountability to care for all the people of our communities. Let us pray this week for those who courageously stand up for those who are on the margins and feel that they have no voice. Let all who participate be safe. Let us pray for those who have not been listening pay attention to the words of the people and the words of Matthew 25: 31 -46.
Matthew 25: 31 -46
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, 33 and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. 34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’ 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You who are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels, 42 for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ 44 Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not take care of you?’ 45 Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ 46 And these will go away into eternal punishment but the righteous into eternal life.”
God our refuge, We look and see suffering in your world.
Do not let us turn away from the misery of suffering people.
Bring an end to the injustice; let all violence cease to exist.
Intervene where people are unable or unwilling to assist those in need.
Strengthen all who work to end the suffering of those who do not have even their daily necessities. Equip them to be signs and instruments of peace and justice.
We commit ourselves to the mandate of Matthew 25.
Use us as instruments of peace and compassion until that day when the captives will be free and the broken will be healed.
We commit ourselves to the well-being of all people until that day when all children can play in security and adults will learn to trust and learn from each other. We long for that day and pray for the day to come soon.
Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen.
Based on prayer for Mission in the World – Book of Common Worship – PCUSA
