May 3, 2026
Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church, Oakland, CA
Pastoral Prayer
God of all worlds, open your heavens to us as we remain faithful on earth. As your people, sisters and brothers of Christ Jesus, provide us the spiritual nourishment so that we may grow into salvation. Here in Oakland, build us into a spiritual house, a community of your faithful people. Keep us from judging those whose views differ from our own, or from throwing stones at those with whom we disagree. Forgive us for the many times we have missed praising your name this past week.
In the month of May, we celebrate the place of East and South Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, as well as other Asians in America whose gifts and contributions have helped make the United States to become a reflection of God’s creativity and diversity. The variety of Asians in the world reminds us of Pentecost when you, O God through the coming of the Holy Spirit enable us to understand one another even though we speak in different languages. We find oneness in Christ who unites us in the Spirit.
For many years, Asian Americans were seen as foreigners and aliens with no rights or even the legitimate place to begin a life here. Your people were often not seen and faded into the background as invisible. But as you made your Son, Christ Jesus visible to us in the incarnation, Asian Americans are more visible to share their histories, cultures, gifts and talents in the making of a more complete human family. Lord, help us to become a closer reflection of your Beloved Community on earth as we know is already in heaven.
Today, we remember the Asian Americans who have crossed our paths and have contributed to our being. Lord, we are thankful for the life of George Lee who gave unselfishly of his time and gifts. We remember our former, organist, Stan Fong who inspired us in morning worship. We pray for the safety of Zulu Lemtur who returned to North East India as the result of visa challenges. There are many Asian Americans in our midst who have over the years made a difference to us and contributed in spreading love and the Good News to all parts of the world to which we thank you, O God.
While we celebrate the AANHPI community this month, we will never fail to celebrate and recognize the multi-richness of the human family and particularly the church family here at Lakeshore. Remind us to take time to know one another and in so doing, we become a shining example of how our neighborhood can be and in turn how the world can be.
As the war in Iran continues along with many other conflicts around the world, we pray for enduring peace, the putting down of arms, and the end of violence that we cause on one another. Teach us to be merciful when we seek mercy. Lead us to do justice when we seek justice. Show us how to love as Jesus showed your love for us even when we didn’t earn it or deserve it. We pray in this fraught and troubling society where our leaders are not caring for the people to whom they should be serving but are often more concern for their own control of power and privilege. Give us the strength, voice, and will to stand up to those who are not loving you and loving their neighbors.
In our community, we pray for those who are in need of your grace and healing…
Lord, we pray that your face shine on us and our worship is seen favorable in your sight. Empower us to continue to act mightily in truth and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world. In his name, we pray. Amen.