O God of every tradition, we pray thy will be done. We are assaulted second by second throughout the 24-hour news cycle by words and images that describe so many ways in which it is not done:
- Nation and would-be nation bargain over beheaded journalists in the Middle East
- Nation and nation rattle sabers over prisoners in North Korea
- Basic institutions like schools and hospitals in Gaza explode
- Territorial integrity in Ukraine suffers attacks
- Somalia reels
- The thin skin of racial reconciliation rips in Ferguson, Missouri, U.S.
- Our families rupture
- And our hearts despair.
Strengthen in us, we pray, the determination to discern violence and injustice as you discern. Free us from our temptations of denial.
O God of our tradition, we pray thy will be done on earth. We know we have been prepared by clouds of saints and witnesses to join and support:
- The courageous volunteers and committed health care workers as they expedite the development of an Ebola vaccine
- Over-burdened and under-appreciated peace workers negotiating a cease fire in Ukraine
- Relief workers straining to meet the challenges of refugees in Syria and flood-submerged villages in South Kashmir, and the many others whom they represent
Sharpen our awareness of the expense and effort needed to do thy will on earth.
O God of my tradition, I pray thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, I know that if I look, I daily see:
- The steady expansion of micro-credit
- Hero rats that detect landmines and TB in Angola
- The SOIL organization in Haiti and similar system-aware groups who pursue related objectives like fertility and sanitation
- Advances in science that encourage our sense of connection with time and other creatures
- A wealth of communication opportunities that become the vehicles taking me where I can more fully share your vision of your will, and how I may contribute to its fulfillment.
Seeking your blessing,
Amen.
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