The Prayers of the Hopeless

The Heavenly Banquet

Charlotte Elia offers this sermon on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, a passage about the crowds seeking healing from Jesus.

"There’s never no more urgent time for prayer than the now in which you find yourself, but I also- I know what it feels like to exist in this world right now. I often feel overwhelmed, anxious, frightened, helpless, useless, and when I start to feel a bit better, a bit more hopeful, another breaking news alert comes through to break me. I don’t know what the future holds- for this nation, for the world, for myself. I think I have a pretty fair idea based on my reading of scripture and my knowledge of history, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. What I do know is that if I’m going to survive this, if I’m going to be functional in the midst of this, if I’m going to be any help at all, and if I’m going to retain some sense of wellbeing- I’m going to have to pray. I’m going to have to be intentional about reorienting myself to God’s purposes, about centering myself in God’s presence, and about letting myself find comfort in the wellspring of God’s ever-abundant love. I know that’s what I want for myself. I believe that’s what God wants for me, not this rage and confusion and bitterness I feel otherwise. I want to rest deeply in God’s care. I want to walk steadily in God’s path. And I want that for you too. I believe God wants that for you also, and prayer is the primary tool to attain that."

This sermon was preached on July 21, 2024 at Chester Presbyterian Church in Chester, Virginia.