Revolutions. Earthquakes. Illness. Layoffs. From one corner to another, the world seems especially chaotic this week. Fortunately, our God is still on His throne and in Him is our peace and hope for the future. Whether out of confidence or fear, hope or desperation, let us pray together with the author of Psalm 46:
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Amen
Feb 23, 2011
Feb 11, 2011
A Prayer for Egypt
Today, the country of Egypt has experienced a transfer of power. This massive change has occurred in primarily a peaceful manner, which is at the very least unusual, and at the most could be called miraculous. Significant change and uncertainty now face the citizens of Egypt, including the estimated 10% of the population that is Christian. Let us join together to pray for the future of the nation, using the Prayer of St. Francis:
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is dispair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we are born
to eternal life.
May this time of transition be a time also for the growth of the gospel in Eypt.
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is dispair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
it is in dying that we are born
to eternal life.
May this time of transition be a time also for the growth of the gospel in Eypt.
Feb 5, 2011
We Will Not Keep Silent
We are people who must sing you,
for the sake of our very lives.
You are a God who must be sung by us,
for the sake of your majesty and honor.
And so we thank you,
for lyrics that push us past our reasons,
for melodies that break open our givens,
for cadences that locate us home,
beyond all our safe places,
for tones and tunes that open our lives beyond control
and our futures beyond despair.
We thank you for the long parade of mothers and fathers
who have sung you deep and true;
We thank you for the good company
of artists, poets, musicians, cantors, and instruments
that sing for us and with us, toward you.
We are witnesses to your mercy and splendor;
We will not keep silent...ever again. Amen.
Brueggemann, Walter. 2003. Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth; Prayers of Walter Brueggemann. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press. p. 133
for the sake of our very lives.
You are a God who must be sung by us,
for the sake of your majesty and honor.
And so we thank you,
for lyrics that push us past our reasons,
for melodies that break open our givens,
for cadences that locate us home,
beyond all our safe places,
for tones and tunes that open our lives beyond control
and our futures beyond despair.
We thank you for the long parade of mothers and fathers
who have sung you deep and true;
We thank you for the good company
of artists, poets, musicians, cantors, and instruments
that sing for us and with us, toward you.
We are witnesses to your mercy and splendor;
We will not keep silent...ever again. Amen.
Brueggemann, Walter. 2003. Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth; Prayers of Walter Brueggemann. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press. p. 133
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