A Veteran’s Day Prayer

This is a prayer that I wrote and shared for Veteran’s Day at Concord UMC this morning.  Please pray this with me.

Lord,

 You have given us these veterans as examples of commitment. They have forsaken so much in their lives – distance from families, friends, communities, going wherever they were sent. Some of these men and women, you have delivered from the scourge of war and some through times of peace.  May those whose bodies, spirits, and memories have been scarred by the agonies of war be reconciled to each other, to their enemies, and to you. Their commitments of service do not go unnoticed.  May they know today that they are cherished, forgiven, and loved by You and by those here among us in this church. Grant them peace of mind and heart that they may become peacemakers in all they do as they now serve as leaders in our community and in our church. Remind us also of the many veterans in our country who suffer addictions, PTSD, and live homeless, hungry, and tired.  Teach us to care for these veterans as we would unto you.

 We pray for those who serve in the military now, especially for those in harm’s way.  Be with their families – mothers, fathers, siblings, children – who anxiously await their return. Shield these young men and women from danger and bring them home.

 We pray for the soldiers of our enemies – men and women just like us. Grant them safety, wholeness, and peace.  May we remember that these are our brothers and sisters, who bleed when they are wounded, whose hearts break in sorrow.

For those who have experienced the pain and loss of a loved one not returning home from the devastation of war, we mourn with you today.  Great God of Comfort, draw near to the brokenhearted. In their loss, may we hope together for the good news that this life is not the end.

We pray for the innocent victims of terrorism and warfare – civilians who have lost their homes, families and lives. We mourn their losses and hope that they may one day live in peace, without fear of harm or suffering.  Remind us here today of our calling to care for the oppressed, the orphan, the refugee, and the widow.

 For those who have yet been untouched by the agonies of war, may you continually be granted the gifts of freedom and peace.

Lord, we long for the day when all will be reconciled unto you – when there will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more war.  We believe that all this will come by the power of the Father, through the mercy of Christ, and in the love and peace of the Holy Spirit.

 And all God’s people proclaimed with one voice: Amen.

Psonnets for the Psalms – Pt. 6

“A Sonnet for Psalm 46”

The waters roar and foam, the mountains quake
And into hearts of seas the rocks succumb
If, then, you pray the Lord your soul to take
To rescue from the pending judgment come
And if disaster, desolation brings
And scatters you to places far abroad
In trying you will never gain a thing
Yet be there still and know that I am God
For I will cease the strife of war and pain
And I will break the bow and cut the spear
For only by the power I can gain
Will heaven come and find its dwelling here
Until the day when all will be set free
A refuge, strength, and comfort I will be

Psonnets for Psalms – Pt. 2

For the past few months, I have been wrestling with the concept of prayer and how God works through it.  Does he really answer prayer? Why? Is God sitting there with his finger on the button for us all just waiting for someone to tell him not to push it?  All of these questions are still present, yet I still pray.  I even pray for God to tell me if prayer really is effective or not.  Meditating over Psalm 4 has not given any definitive answers, but it has given a voice to this struggle.

“Sonnet for Psalm 4”

I lift my prayers I’m praying will be heard
And wonder if it’s an effective tool
I know that you have said it in Your Word
Yet feel like I’m an optimistic fool
With tragedies around me every day
And wickedness is worshiped everywhere
I wonder if there is a better way
Than bowing on my knees in humble prayer
Yet I call out to you amidst distress
To heal the wounds that echo through my cries
And knowing it is you who know what’s best
I choose to see the world behind your eyes
Then go to sleep tonight and rest assured
That You alone, O LORD, keep me secure.

Prayer of St. Francis

This is a prayer that has humbled me lately.  I just wanted to share.  I hope that this can be our prayer together as the Church wherever we are.

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, 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;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life”