It doesn’t ever seem to stop, does it? The violence.
The layoffs. The pain. The hurt. The confusion. The
sadness. The hunger. The politic-ing.
Some days it is hard to pray. Some days it is find
the things to be grateful for. Some days….
Honestly friends, I have no words. No wisdom to
dispel. For once, as one who works with words
weekly, I have nothing. My heart is heavy for the
world today. So all I can offer up, on behalf of the
world, the church, our own nation, Lincoln and Logan
County, and for First Presbyterian Church are my
sighs and a noticeable silence.
So today, I lean into these words:
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness;
for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that
very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for
words.
And these words:
28 ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are
carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest
for your souls.30For my yoke is easy, and my burden
is light.’
And this is the prayer I pray:
Almighty and merciful God, Father of all
[people], Creator and ruler of the universe, Lord of
all history, whose designs are without blemish,
whose compassion for the errors of men is
inexhaustible, in your will is our peace. Mercifully
hear this prayer which rises to you from the tumult
and desperation of a world in which you are
forgotten, in which your name is not invoked, your
laws are derided and your presence is ignored.
Because we do not know you, we have no peace. From
the heart of an eternal silence, you have watched
the rise of empires and have seen the smoke of their
downfall. You have witnessed the impious fury of ten
thousand fratricidal wars, in which great powers
have torn whole continents to shreds in the name of
peace and justice.
A day of ominous decision has now dawned on this
free nation. Save us then from our obsessions! Open
our eyes, dissipate our confusions, teach us to
understand ourselves and our adversary. Let us never
forget that sins against the law of love are
punishable by
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loss of faith, and those without faith stop at no
crime to achieve their ends! Help us to be masters
of the weapons that threaten to master us. Help us
to use our science for peace and plenty, not for war
and destruction. Save us from the compulsion to
follow our adversaries in all that we most hate,
confirming them in their hatred and suspicion of us.
Resolve our inner contradictions, which now grow
beyond belief and beyond bearing. They are at once a
torment and a blessing: for if you had not left us
the light of conscience, we would not have to endure
them. Teach us to wait and trust. Grant light, grant
strength and patience to all who work for peace. But
grant us above all to see that our ways are not
necessarily your ways, that we cannot fully
penetrate the mystery of your designs and that the
very storm of power now raging on this earth reveals
your hidden will and your inscrutable decision.
Grant us to see your face in the lightning of this
cosmic storm, O God of holiness, merciful to [all
people]. Grant us to seek peace where it is truly
found. In your will, O God, is our peace. ~Thomas
Merton
Amen.
Hope is the thing with feathers, friends. Let
us never give up on that…or each other. Let us not
be robbed by some of the great and good gifts this
world has to offer.
My prayers are with and for you this day. Everyday.
[Adam Quine, Pastor at First Presbyterian Church
in Lincoln] |
