In response to news of continued gun violence (this time in California) and of the recent racist brutality towards Tyre Nichols in Memphis, TN (regardless of the color of the perpetrators), this past Sunday I wrote and shared the following Spirit-inspired words as part of my Pastoral Prayer in worship. I share it with you in the hopes that you will pray it for yourself, as I will be doing for myself, as well:
“O Lord, seeing the events in the news from this past week, we are
reminded of the fact that we live in a broken, fallen world -- a world of
violence, racism, selfishness, division, and injustice.
In the words of Isaiah 6:5, ‘Woe are we! We are lost, for we are a people
of unclean lips, and we live among a people of unclean lips’ Forgive us, God, for the part or parts that
we have played -- either consciously or unconsciously -- either in bringing
such a world into existence, or even in allowing such a world to continue.
Yet, we also affirm Isaiah’s words at the end of that verse, as well,
when he said ‘yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!.’ For we as your people know that you sent your
son Jesus into our broken, fallen world, to offer forgiveness and
redemption for all the shortcomings both of ourselves and those in our world, but also to empower us with your Holy
Spirit, so that we can make a difference in helping our world to be, and become, a
better place for all persons.
So, give us grace, discernment, patience, a spirit of peace, and an open
heart to hear what you would have us say and do to bring about your kingdom on
this earth today -- a kingdom characterized by justice, righteousness, and
equity for all people. Thank you for
your love, and for allowing us to be the vessels by and through which your
salvation and peace is brought to all.
In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.”
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