A Prayer Moving Forward

So much is going on in our country and world right now. Tensions are high, names are being called and innocent people are caught in the middle. People are turning off the news for it is too grim, too painful, too sad. Social media has once again become a place of vigorous support and strong opposition.

We as a nation need to find some commonality, some common ground to unite around.

The Church needs to be a voice of reason and truth, a place of refuge and sanctuary.

Followers of Christ must return to the holy scriptures to draw out it’s ancient wisdom about loving neighbors and welcoming the stranger.

Politics and rhetoric will only get us so far and it is no where near where we need to be or even should be.

Below is a prayer that I wrote recently and I hope that it encapsulates the feelings I am experiencing.

Feel free to share it.

May we find God’s peace and comfort anew.

In Christ,

Rev. Evan

A Prayer Moving Forward
By: Rev. Evan M. Dolive, M.Div.

Holy are you O Lord, among all the nations! Holy is your name among the earth! You are wondrous and mighty, powerful and strong; you are humble and meek, you are gracious and loving.

Your majesty is found all of around us.

Your grace is found in laughter of children and friends, your welcome is found at tables where bread is broken, your grace is found when forgiveness is extended even when it is hard to do.

Help us to examine ourselves to find those places where your grace is calling us to let go of grudges, calling to seek others through your eyes, calling us to forgive others and even ourselves.

Our hearts break thinking of those in our world who suffer needlessly because of violence, war, oppression and racism. May we be a tune to your spirit which calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves, to welcome the stranger, to feed the hungry and clothe the naked; for we know O God that if we do these things to the those who are considered the least of these, then we are doing it to you. Help us to see past labels that we have artificially placed on people. May we see past our preconceived notions and caricatures to see all of humanity as living, breathing, bearers of your divine image. No place of origin, nationality, belief system or status can ever change that fact.

Guide our church that it might make bold choices for the sake of humanity remembering the call of justice placed on our lives as followers of Jesus the Christ.
Guide our state that it might see people as more than labels and numbers
Guide our country to find ways to be a place of welcome and rest
Guide our leaders to seek you first and your ways.
Guide all of our hearts that we might not get caught up in political rhetoric but base our decision on our gospel of peace and love even it might mean going against the status quo.

You have called your people to find area where people are broken and hurting and out of your compassion help to mend those broken places and bandage old wounds.

Help us see where you are calling us to and away from this day, now and forevermore.

Give success to the work of our hands!

In the name of Jesus the Christ, the Holy One of God we pray. Amen.