I praise you, O God, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” – Psalm 139:14
In the wonder of the moment we
marvel at eyes that see the clear blue of sky, hands that feel the hand of a loved one beside us, feet that feel the solid earth beneath and ears that hear the breeze rustle the trees. Every part of our body is a portal for knowing you, O God, and we are silenced at the mystery of it all.
And then…
We see images of those eyes that have
witnessed the gassing of hundreds of people in Syria.
We feel the hands of those who are near to
death tucked gently into ours as we seek to be present in hospitals and nursing homes.
We remember that for so many the earth
beneath their feet is not solid, but shakes with the explosion of bombs or gives way beneath the water of floods.
We remember that there are too many ears that
hear only weeping and screaming.
And then we feel our hearts
heave and sigh within us and we turn to you and ask:.O Lord how long?
And we are reminded of the
voice of the prophets that have sung out through centuries proclaiming your word and calling your people to action, to repentance, to the hard work of making peace and proclaiming your way.
We would be your prophets in
these days– faithful in action and thought, passionate in dream and vision. When we are tempted to shrink back and think one person can do nothing, remind us of the great prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, but also of Martin Luther King, Jr. As we celebrate fifty years since the march on Washington D.C., grant that our stirring memories of that time may be transformed into faithful action for our time.
You have made us for your
purpose and claimed us for your work. We marvel at all it means to be created in your image and knit together by your loving hands, even so all that is for your work and your glory.
In these days strengthen us
to wage peace as so much of the world settles for war. Strengthen us to speak when it is so much easier to remain silent. Remind us that we are finally one human family living in one global community. We are one people bound by one hope – for peace.
Amen
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