World News This Week in Prayer – Thurs., Jan 26, 2017

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
– Jesus, spoken as he was being crucified (Luke 23:34)

For almost 17 years, World In Prayer has been posting prayers based on international news, trying to say and show that every human being, in every country, is beloved by God. Trying to find the words over and over again to care, to long for healing and peace. To offer up to God this planet, this world; from the its tiniest atoms to its greatest mountains; every plant, every creature, every person, every nation. To know, in some way beyond the deepest knowing, that prayer – our collective prayers – somehow matter, somehow become part of how God weaves the universe together.

Those of us who take turns writing the weekly prayers come from several countries on two continents. We try, in as much as is humanly possible, to see beyond the concerns of our own nations, and listen for the needs of the world. Yet I, who write tonight’s prayers, am an American. And in view of the horrors that have been unfolding in this country since the installation of our new president last Friday, today I can only pray through the lens of what’s been happening here.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

In my lifetime, step by incremental step, the U.S. has become increasingly committed to the civil rights of its citizens. We have guaranteed voting and educational rights and banned discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or sexual preference. We have enacted laws to make businesses accessible to the handicapped. We have prevented health insurance companies from refusing to cover those with pre-existing conditions, or setting lifetime coverage maximums.  We set limits on pollution, and abuse of consumers by mortgage lenders and other big businesses. We were starting to seriously talk about systemic racism and economic inequities. It wasn’t perfect (it could never be perfect), but when I look back over the past 50 years, wow, had we come a long way.

Yet in one short week, under the new administration, this has all been overturned or is under threat. The U.S. has unilaterally withdrawn from the Trans Pacific Partnership. The president has said that we will leave NATO and the United Nations, and made statements in favor of torture, and use of nuclear weapons. He has reneged on promised foreign aid, jeopardizing the health and survival of millions. He has ordered a wall to be built along our border with Mexico, and when the Mexican government refused to pay for it, has threatened a 20% tax on all goods imported from there. He has said the U.S. will no longer accept refugees, blocked travel to the U.S. from Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Iran, Libya and Sudan for at least the next 30 days (even for those who already have visas or family in the U.S.); has repeatedly talked about a registry for Muslims in this country; and promises to hire 10,000 more immigration officers to remove all illegal immigrants from the country. Consumer safeguards have been rescinded; plans for two hotly-contested oil pipelines (considered by many to be environmentally dangerous) have been sped up; environmental protections and commitments to work against climate change have been ended.  Ethics and conflict of interest concerns are being dismissed. Health care access has been cut back and an estimated 20-30 million may lose their health care as a result; education is under threat; federal agencies have been ordered not to release any scientific studies or speak to the press or public without prior approval from the administration; blatant lies and outright falsehoods are being touted as legitimate “alternative facts”.  Several states are following suit in proposing or passing legislation that is against the U.S. Constitution and prior Supreme Court rulings.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

For those in any country who put profits above persons,
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

For those who seek self-aggrandizement,
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

For those who deny science, education, knowledge,
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

For those who trample on the needs of the poor, the ill, the elderly, the disabled
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

For those who uphold nationalism against mutual humanity,
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

For those who perpetuate hatred,
Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
They do not know the harm they cause.
They do not know the joy of compassion.

They do not know…
…that even within the damage they are wreaking,
the seeds of the Kingdom of God have been planted
and are growing strong.

They do not know…
…that the time will come when
The poor will be blessed,
and the grieving, comforted.
The meek shall inherit the earth,
and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled.
The merciful will receive mercy,
and the peacemakers will be revered as children of God.

Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.
Amen.