“They laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.” (Mark 6:56b)
Scripture text
Mark 6:30–34, 53–56
Songs and hymns
O healing river (Hymnal: A Worship Book 372)
Heal us, Immanuel, here we are (Hymnal: A Worship Book 375)
There is a balm in Gilead (Hymnal: A Worship Book 627)
Healing balm, forgiving Lord (Sing the Journey 55)
Christ’s is the world (Sing the Journey 62)
Prayer of confession
Loving God, we come to you this day confessing that we have not always loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are aware of people suffering for lack of health care coverage, yet we pass by on the other side. We know there are children who struggle to grow and learn with untreated health problems, yet we pass by on the other side. Families are crushed by medical bills and other financial burdens, yet we pass by on the other side. When we encounter troubling situations that we don’t know how to fix, we are tempted to pass by on the other side. Stop us in our tracks, O God, and open our hearts so that we are not afraid to get involved in meeting the needs of those who are being ignored. Make our hearts bold and loving and send us, in the name of your Son, to go and do likewise. Amen.
Prayer of intercession
Leader: Let us pray for those who do not have health care coverage. (Pause for silent or spoken prayers.)
All: We pray that those who are uninsured will receive the health care they need and that they will know your strength in their weakness, your comfort in their pain, your hope in their despair.
Leader: Let us pray for health care providers. (Pause for silent or spoken prayers.)
All: We pray that doctors, nurses and all health care providers will be guided and strengthened by you as they care for others as an expression of your love.
Leader: Let us pray for all in leadership positions. (Pause for silent or spoken prayers.)
All: We pray for elected officials, business leaders, community leaders and all in positions of power, that they will lead with justice and integrity and point the way to solutions that assure all the care that people need.
Leader: Let us pray for the sick and injured. (Pause for silent or spoken prayers.)
All: We pray with full hearts for those who are sick and injured, especially the uninsured whose suffering is increased by lack of care or by anxiety over paying for care. We pray that in these difficult days, they will know your comforting love that enfolds each and every one, and that they will be restored to health.
Leader: Let us pray for ourselves. (Pause for silent or spoken prayers.)
All: We pray for ourselves . . . for health, for caring hands to reach out, for loving hearts to share another’s pain, for the will to solve big problems. We pray these things with gratitude for the life you have given us, for your care that enfolds us and for your love made known on the cross. Amen.
— Both prayers adapted from Cover the Uninsured.
Sermon reflection and additional worship resources available at washington.mcc.org/life.
