Be gracious to me, O God, for people trample on me; all day long foes oppress me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many fight against me. O Most High, when I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid; what can flesh do to me? – Psalm 56:1-4
It is true, O God, I am afraid. I have a hard time admitting that to anyone, even myself, but the fear and anxiety are real. Real and nearly overwhelming. There is so much trauma and tragedy in the world today. I look out my window, gazing at everything and nothing, tears welling up in my eyes, a lump growing in my throat, uncertain of what is to come, reminding myself that you are God Most High, persuading my tear-filled eyes that they see your work in the world, assuring my aching heart that it can trust in you, coaxing my worry-worn soul to sense your comforting presence.
We need your presence and comfort, Creating God, as news of natural disasters reaches us from around the world: wildfires in Israel which are now under control, but burned more than 4,200 acres, a water shortage on the Colorado River impacting around 40 million people in the United States and Mexico, fatal flooding in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, wildfires in France that consumed over 14,000 acres and injured dozens, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Haiti, which has claimed nearly 2,000 lives so far, where heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Grace have hampered the search for survivors, where almost 10,000 people have been injured, and hospitals are overwhelmed, where the UN says about 500,000 children now have limited or no access to shelter, safe water, and food…
We desperately need your healing, Loving God, as the world continues to battle COVID-19: leaders in New South Wales, Australia, are tightening rules in response to a surge in cases, authorities in Wuhan, China, are testing the entire population after a handful of new cases were reported, the World Health Organization has seized counterfeit vaccines in India and Africa even as WHO leaders are urging a pause in vaccine boosters to allow low-income countries to vaccinate their residents…
We long for your peace that passes all understanding, Faithful God, as we anxiously watch the news from Afghanistan, as countries take in refugees fleeing the country after Taliban militants took power, as countries evacuate their diplomats, as countries withdraw their military forces…
Yet, even as overwhelming as the news can be, if we are looking for the spark of hope, we can find it: couples who struggled with infertility are celebrating the birth of their children, partners are celebrating weddings and anniversaries, students and teachers are beginning a new school year in parts of the world, there are new and exciting job opportunities, adventures, homes, and relationships…
Faith, hope, and love are around us. Remind us, Redeeming God, of your care for all people. Open our eyes, our hearts, our minds, we pray. Transform us that we might share your love with the world. Send your Spirit upon us, we pray.
Amen.
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