Last Night at BSM

June 20, 2016

Last night, Sammie preached from Psalms 42 and 43, leading us in a lament for the 49 precious people who were slain in Orlando one week ago. We mourned that our LGBTQ and Latinx family, who are already marginalized in their daily lives, are especially affected by this horrific tragedy. We sought God’s hope and comfort in the midst of confusion and despair. We reaffirmed BSM’s commitment to, as difficult as it so often is, remain always an unconditionally welcoming and loving community. Listen to it here. A time of anointing with oil and lighting candles for the slain was part of our fellowship at the Lord’s table.

John Francis and a soulful team of musicians helped us make melody together, leading us in a song John Francis wrote with Adam Ogg entitled “Let it Be So”; John Francis’s “Lord’s Prayer”; Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going on”; Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me”; and the hymns “It is Well with My Soul” and “His Eye is on the Sparrow.”

Our community also offered the following prayers:

Help with relationships.

Please pray for my coworker S*****, whose niece was one of the people killed in Orlando. I pray that we may not remain numb to the way things are, to the tragedies of violence and injustice.

Thank you Lord for giving me hearts & hands of support during this difficult time. Prayer for wisdom, discernment, peace, & plan of action against rhetoric.

I pray that I will find confidence to help myself and others.

Please pray for all in pain, all confused, all, all, all! It’s Love Baby. For everyone!

I pray for the families of the Orlando victims & all those who affected by this tragedy. May their hearts be filled with love and fearlessness.

For my dad’s arm and his recovery.

My father was an alcoholic and had tried to commit suicide multiple times before I was 4. Suddenly one day in May of 2003, my whole world changed. My mom, younger brother and I moved across country. All I knew was that something terrible had happened for the next 12 years. He was put in jail for 10 years. I hated him and I didn’t understand. Last summer, my mom told my brother and I our father was dying. We changed our plans for the summer and flew to Seattle. He was a changed man. Sober, and someone who loved God. It was the first time I had seen him in over 10 years. He died at 56. I later found out that he raped my mother. I couldn’t believe it. And I hated and mourned for my dead father more than ever. This past year I’ve drawn away from Christianity and God. He had let a good man die. Last night I broke down in tears. There was a reason for my dad’s death and I’m learning to accept it. I just hope I can find my way back to God, like he did.

Dear God, thank you for keeping my son safe. Amen.

I pray for my Pop-pop that his dialysis treatments go well and that his pain is relieved. Continuous prayers for Orlando. Pray for a better world with endless love.

So mad about all of this fucking bullshit.

Lord, thank you for your gift of peace. Help us to manifest it in all we do. Help us remember you more.

Kevin is on my heart this week. Lord, comfort all who mourn. We love you. Amen.

Please pray for an upcoming interview and for my father’s mental & physical health.

For my aunt, M********, who is entering her last days; for my grandmom, who is ill; for my LGBT community, especially my Latinx familia, who are grieving.

Please pray for the trans…

Prayers about Psalm 42. Hope in Jesus.

Thanx for answered prayers. Please keep my mom close & let her know & feel the love around her. Please use me in ways to glorify Jesus.

Thank you for letting the birds live here in the sanctuary with us. They make me feel right at home. God, please bless the small things. Thank you for loving the small things.

I know I always pray this. But thank you. And also…please guide me. I can’t do it alone.

4 all my LGBT friends and families all over the world. Better Gun control and SAFE environment for all.

God, forgive me for being so concerned with trivial things, with vanity. Especially when there are so many more important things to ponder in my heart. Forgive me for my selfishness – help me be thankful, content, joyful in all I have. Lord, I lament. Give us hope. Give us justice.

 

Broad Street Ministry is a broad-minded faith community committed to extending radical hospitality and creating a spiritual home for all, especially those who feel like they don’t belong anywhere else. For more information click here.