Writer’s note: Unexpectedly, I am to write this week, with my mind in a whirl of clamoring news and imminent events. If the eminent theologian, Rowan Williams, uses the prayer method of ‘I turn up, and shut up’, it will more than suffice for my need and hopefully yours. Let us journey together under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, God’s breath and wisdom, as we pray for the world entrusted to our care, and to enable us to grow more into God-likeness.
God says, “Be still, and know that I AM GOD; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10 NIV
“Be still, and know that I am Elohim: I will be exalted among the Goyim, I will be exalted in ha’aretz.” – Orthodox Jewish Bible
“But now the Lord who created you, O Israel, says: ‘Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up – the flames will not consume you.'” – Isaiah 43: 1-2
In this moment, Holy One: fill us with your Spirit.
With so many emotions and uncertainties laced with hope at the news of the agreed ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, we pray for the cessation of violence moving towards peace, and the successful exchange/return of hostages, prisoners and dead. As ever, civilians on all sides have seen the highest casualties, while young men and women have died paying for old men’s power strategies. We pray urgently for the dissipation of fear, hatred and distrust in all communities. Only your Love, God, can lead us to this new way.
We admit our silent acquiescence makes us reluctant participants in these conflicts: Forgive us Lord, and lead us in your ways of justice and peace.
This applies not only in the Middle East but in Ukraine, Russia, North Korea and adjoining countries; the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sudans; the death-producing drug cartels in Mexico, Colombia, China, Afghanistan and so many other countries. In this context, too often sexual violence including rape and femicide against women and children are normalised.
We admit our silent acquiescence makes us reluctant participants in these atrocities: Forgive us Lord, and lead us in your ways of justice, righteousness and peace.
We pray for people, nature and countries throughout the world suffering catastrophic climate-related events: the devastating wind-driven fires in California, U.S., and freezing temperatures in otherwise normally-temperate areas of the U.S.; floods in Europe – especially in Mayotte (French Indian Ocean territory) near Mozambique, which flooded for the 3rd time in weeks; continuing droughts in the Sahel, Sudan and South Sudan, and South Africa; ice melting at the polar caps while the world’s temperatures continue to rise.
We admit our silence and reluctance to change our behaviors makes us contributory participants to these events: Forgive us Lord, and lead us in your ways of care for the environment you provide for us, and compassion for our brothers and sisters, near and far.
We pray for the leaders we have elected, those in power or about to assume office. Guide them and us to be joint participants – not in amassing personal wealth, status or power and spreading fear, hatred and division – but to work as you intend – for righteousness, justice, compassion, truth and peace including all, just as your Son, Jesus, showed us. We thank you that these promises and commitments are common to all faith traditions. May we learn how to thwart the lies and social misinformation flooding our media. Teach us how to use the faculties you have given us to think, evaluate and discern truth from fiction, propaganda and downright lies.
Jesus said, ‘I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life’: May your Holy Spirit lead us once more in this path.
As these and other concerns continue to whirl around us, may we call to mind and live daily trusting that your Word is faithful and true. You said: “Be still and know that I am God’, and ‘Don’t be afraid, for I have ransomed you; I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up – the flames will not consume you.”
In thankfulness we pray:
For waking and breathing:
Thanks be to God
For living and sharing:
Thanks be to God
For family and friends:
Thanks be to God
For blooms in cracked paths:
Thanks be to God
For birdsong and sun:
Thanks be to God
For all of creation:
Thanks be to God
For workers and work:
Thanks be to God
For carers and cared for:
Thanks be to God
For laughter and joy:
Thanks be to God
For all that gives life and love:
Thanks be to God*
May we rest and then live our lives in the love of the Father,
May we rest and then live our lives in the love of the Son,
May we rest and then live our lives in the love of the Spirit,
The love of the sacred Three
Our rest and living space be.**
AMEN
Attributions:
*’A Paean of Thanksgiving’, ©️ Rhoda Martin, November 2022
** adapted by RCM from ‘Lullaby’, Ann Lewin, Watching for the Kingfisher, 2004