We are hurting, O my God, how we are hurting!
See there: the mother mourning, the women protesting,
the lives torn apart by war, the man facing his own death;
the rage that consumes us and the conveniences we consume;
the fears that send us to our guns, the deaths we condone in
the name of security; the words that we hurl in hatred and
the silences we keep in willful ignorance. O my God,
O my God, even now, can you find mercy for us?
Lord,
There are times when it is awfully satisfying to repay a wrong with a wrong,
My warnings to the disorderly are rarely heeded.
Mostly it is too hard to pursue good for each other and for everyone else as well.
Times when I don’t want to rejoice
A lot of the time I forget to pray.
I definitely don’t give thanks for every situation.
Lord,
Is this my warning
that I’m in need of comfort
because I am weak and impatient
and on occasion even petty?
That it is time to rejoice,
to give these things to you in prayer,
which will indeed need to be constant.
Lord,
in this letting go
will I discover that what is left to hold onto
is your will for me?
Amen.
The image that your prayer calls to mind: letting sand sift through our fingers and waiting to see what remains in our hands.
“He’s got the whole world in His hands….”
I remember lighter days when I would sing this song
days before I read a newspaper
and understood the mess of this whole world
I wonder now
what it means that the whole world
is in Your capable hands God–
When a disturbed young girl dies in a prison
Bring hope and learning out of this tragedy
Missiles killing innocent Syrians
Prince of Peace, bring a cease fire to the bloodshed
Homeless people wander our streets
Jehovah Jireh our Provider
May this fundraiser provide for their bodies and souls
Drug dealer jailed
and neighbours applauded…literally, his arrest
Move us to our knees in the face of crime
“Let there be peace on earth
and let it begin with me…”
It begins with each one of us
doesn’t it??
The world may be in Your hands,
but it’s within my power to encourage
and help and be patience and do good
to rejoice
always
pray without ceasing
gratitude in everything
Strengthen me for the task
Amen
O Lord, hear our prayer.
A man hangs his head in court. Warring lands and people continue to take sides, draw hard lines of loyalty and power. Hunger stalks some and overeating others. Where is the deep source of hope and rejoicing? Open our eyes, gentle one, to see and give thanks for those who challenge the power of evil with the grace and beauty of dance, song, story. Help us to dwell and flourish in the place and the time of love that forms us into your beloved children.