A Prayer for Such a Time as This inspired by Queens Vashti and Esther and Lord of the Rings

Leader: In “The Lord of the Rings,” this conversation happens between Frodo and Gandalf:
“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

This quote echoes the stories of Queens Vashti and Esther and many others, including ourselves, who have all seen and encountered times such as these. And so we pray for God’s guidance and empowerment in these, and all hard, times. Pray with me:

Leader: When the world seems dark,
People: Help us be the light.
L: When we don’t know the way forward.
P: Journey with us.
L: When we are afraid to speak up for what is right.
P: Strengthen our voices.
L: When we are afraid to stand in solidarity with the oppressed.
P: Be our wellspring of courage.
L: When we look around and can’t see where God is…
P: May we know that God is always with us. Never abandoning us. Forever at work in our lives and our world, even when it’s hard to see.
L: Whenever we feel like we have come to “such a time as this…”
P: Help us decide what to do with the time given to us.
L: May we answer the call to always point the way back to how God is at work in our world.
P: Raise us up to be what God is calling us to be: disciples who reflect God’s hope, love, and light.
All: May it be so. Amen.