I will thank you forever,
because of what you have done.
In the presence of the faithful
I will proclaim your name, for it is good.
Psalm 52:9 (NRSV)
Heavenly God,
Even amidst the storms that cover our lives, we are so grateful for you. So grateful that you hold us together when we cannot hold ourselves. We thank you for the good things happening in our world: for those writing beautiful poetry, for the leaders that truly care, for the people who will always help their neighbor. We see your beauty as we see new images taken by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and are enamored by your beautiful creation.
We know that at times it feels that there is no hope, that there is no good in the world, but oh how we do see the good in the person who brought us food when we were hungry, for the friend who thought to call, for the stranger who picked us up when we fell down on the sidewalk. We see the good, and we see your face in the faces of all of these friends and strangers who choose to do good, and for that we are so thankful.
While we see the good, we also see a hurting world that is in need of your good, God. For those receiving the horribly negative effects of the police crackdown on hundreds of protesters in China‘s Henan province demonstrating over liquidity issues. For those suffering we pray for your peace.
We pray for the people of Sri Lanka after two leaders pledged to resign over the weekend amid mass protests, which saw demonstrators storm the presidential residence. As lawmakers form a new government, we pray that all people there might be cared for, and will soon have a peaceful place in which to live even as they undergo such change.
We continue to pray for the people in Ukraine after at least fifteen people were killed, dozens more believed to be trapped in the rubble after a Russian missile strike in a residential neighborhood in eastern Ukraine. We pray that those of us outside of Ukraine will remember that the war continues to be fought and we are still to pray and support those who are suffering.
We pray for the people of Japan after the assassination of their prime minister, Shinzo Abe. We pray for healing for the whole country as they undergo such change and grieve this loss. We pray for some sense of stability even amidst the change.
God, we know that there is so much change, so much violence, so much hurt that we cannot bear. That is why we ask that you may help us bear it all. That we will find a way to see the good in the world and be the good when no one else can be. Grant us hope that there is still good out there even when it is dim and we cannot see it ourselves. May we open our eyes to a new world which holds people who are not only looking out for themselves, but also choose to offer their hand to care for others. Help us to be those change makers as we also are covered by you and the goodness that only you can give.
Amen.
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