![]() Instead, prayer feeds our spirits so we can be strengthened to act. It is not about denying or running away from the truly awful state of affairs. Taking time to pray offers moments of quiet and peace in the presence of love. If we fill our ears solely with the latest news reports and urgent (and often depressing) text/social media messages, our minds and hearts will be filled with despair. Prayer is an invitation to listen to God’s life-giving words. This brief service reminds us of what is true – we are not alone as we face the challenges of this world. You are invited to join us – in person in our sanctuary or in spirit wherever you happen to be. We have started gathering on Fridays at noon for prayer. Prayer brings our parched spirits to the ever flowing streams of God’s love and presence. It is not to convince a grudging, reluctant God to act. So much of prayer is not for God’s benefit, but for our own. If God is all-powerful, God won’t be helped by my encouragement and entreaties. If God is all-caring, God shouldn’t require me to convince him to tend to the sick and the dying. Pray?!? What good will that do? Why should I waste my time muttering words to God? If God is all-knowing, God doesn’t need my reminders about today’s dismal state of affairs. It is no wonder that rates of anxiety and depression are growing in our country. Racist violence is rampant.Īdd to that your own personal worries about loved ones, employment, finances, and health. There is seemingly endless division and conflict amongst our political leaders that trickles down to infect local and state governments. The relentless pursuit of the Corona virus in all of its variations, the ongoing war in Ukraine, climate change and reports of evaporating lakes, wildfires, and warming oceans. I think we can all agree – we live in overwhelming times. The eternal Creator, Son and Holy Spirit shield them on every side.Ĭaim prayer: ( Celtic Daily Prayer, p. Keep light near and darkness afar.Ĭircle them, Lord. Keep hope within, keep despair without.Ĭircle them, Lord. Keep protection near and danger afar.Ĭircle them, Lord. Keep comfort near and discouragement far.Ĭircle them, Lord. ![]() These words can be offered for anyone we carry in our hearts, especially when we have no words.Ĭircle them, Lord. This is a “caim” prayer – a prayer for God’s love and blessing to encircle those in need. Instead of my words, I will share a prayer that speaks to my heart. Let us embody the love of God, who is always with us. Let us remember that God has promised never to leave us or forsake us.Īnd armed with those promises and filled with God’s love and new life, let us go into those places of loss and sorrow to offer not words, but a listening ear, a caring heart, and a supporting hand. Let us fill our souls with the promise that God’s love is stronger than our fear. I do believe that we must draw close to God, to the source of life and love, so that our spirits will not be drained by the hate and evil that surround us. I have no original, insightful, wise words that will make this better. There are some people who are offering profound, heartfelt prayers and tender words to comfort those whose lives have been changed forever. There are many people who say that this is unpreventable, unstoppable, inevitable. A lot of people making noise that sounds like “never again,” but without any accompanying action. I have nothing to say after the murders in Uvalde, after the racist killings in Buffalo, in response to the ongoing grief and loss in Ukraine.
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