Prayer for the Week: Palm Sunday 2016 (March 20)

Crowds shout, palms branches wave, the heralded candidates enter the city! Political rally AND the scene in first century Jerusalem as we remember Jesus’ entry into the holy city. Jesus and the disciples, staging a counter demonstration to the corrupt and oppressive rule of Herod and the Roman occupying forces, uses symbols drawn from the Hebrew prophets to communicate that this messiah, this christ, is not anything like those other rulers. And: this Christ is not likely to be exactly what the crowds want or expect, either. There’s no easy fix in love, in transformation, Rev. Rachel reminded us in her sermon today. There is power and there is the possibility for change, but like any new birth, “there might be some discomfort.” Here is her prayer offered for our own entry into Holy Week and our holy work. May it be a blessing to you this week as we make our way toward Easter joy.

God of love, march with us through this holy week.  When we shout Hosanna!  Help us to know what it means, and grant us the courage and strength to love as you would love. Walk with us as we walk with you, joyously celebrating your love, and weeping for all the ways it is not yet manifest.  Deliver us, O God, into your grace-filled hands, and help us offer that grace to all our neighbors.  -Rev. Rachel Small Stokes

To watch the entire service click HERE.