The people wanted a king (1 Samuel 8).
A king to rule over them,
to fight their battles,
to direct them, and so
to salve their conscience.
They rejected God. They ignored God’s warning. They demanded a king.
And the king led them astray.
Lord save us from our love of easy answers.
Save us from our love of battle.
And save us from our desire to anoint a king.
Strengthen us O Lord in the hard work of citizenship.
Help us to trust in you, and guide us in your ways.
Amen.
[On politics] “Most people just want somebody who can articulate their hatreds . . .” (David Brooks, 2011)
It is easy to fear the other –
And yet you call on us
Help us O Lord, to heed your call as we live our lives together.
Amen.
O Lord, help us to see those around us,
their struggles,
their hopes,
their joys,
their depth,
their humanity.
And as we see, fill us with love of your creation in all its beauty and complexity.
Help us O Lord to see what we might be:
One country, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Guide us there O Lord.
Amen
As we restart this blog at the outset of the 2020 election year, we offer this from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.
“O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us, in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Help us to remember O Lord, that we are one country. Amen
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8
O Lord, guide our leaders — and us as citizens — that we may pursue goodness, knowledge, self-control, godliness, and kindness in our political lives and in our communities. Help us reach out to our neighbors, breaking down the walls of “us” and “them”. Calm our anger and fears. Steer us from factions and petty disputes. Teach us to love. Help us live by your Spirit and find peace and prosperity together. (Galatians 5:19-26).
Amen
“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.” Proverbs 17:27
“. . . Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry . . .” James 1:19
Our words matter. Words harm or heal; invite hate or love, fear or hope. Our words define us and our relationships. They direct us to evil or good. Save us O Lord from the words that hurt and discourage, that inflame and fester. Help us O Lord to use the words that heal.
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
Amen
“… to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the paths of peace.” Matt. 1:79
“The light shines in the darkness but the darkness has not understood.” John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness. But the darkness feels safe, the shadows fascinate, and the drama of conflict holds our attention captive. Free us O Lord and lead us to peace.
Amen.
As we contemplate both the political season that is upon us, and the Christmas season that is coming to a close, let us hear the prophet’s cry:
If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger, and malicious talk,
If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light shall rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.
Is. 58:9b-10
Save us O Lord from hatred and discord, from factions and greed. Help us to connect with each other, reflecting the love, peace, and hope that lies within your birth. Gal. 5:16-26.
Guide us O Lord throughout the new year.
Amen
On this 4th of July as we think about our country’s past struggles, current condition, and future, we invite you to review and add your prayers to the following verses, most of which are adapted from the “Prayer For Our Nation” in the Lutheran Book of Worship:
Bless our land and people with honest industry, and an honorable way of life.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action.
Make us who come from many nations, with many different languages and cultures, a united people.
Let us provide a truthful education, and informed public discourse.
Give those whom we have entrusted with the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there might be justice and peace in our land.
Help us to understand and value our interdependence as much as our freedoms, and help us forgive and care for one another.
We need your help O Lord, and seek your guidance.
Amen
O God, you will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are fixed on you . . . Isaiah 26:3
On this 13th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, we pray for an end to hate and violence throughout our world. We remember and pray for those who died in the attacks, that they might be at peace with you. We pray for their families and friends, that in their grieving they may find the peace which transcends all understanding. [Php.4:7] And we pray for all who remain in our unstable and violent world, that we may find new ways of living together.
We pray for peace O God.
O God, our creator, look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and guide us as we work through our struggle and confusion. [#3]*
We pray for peace O God.
O Lord you have commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you. [#6]
We pray for peace O God.
Give us the grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away all hatred and prejudice, hurt and anger, and whatever else may hinder us from peaceful union and concord. Help us to seek the holy bonds of truth and peace, of compassion and charity. [#14]
We pray for peace O God.
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom all nations and people work in harmony, guide us in love. [#3, 4] Lead us from dissension, factions and selfish ambitions to a world abundant in the fruits of your Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. [Galatians 5:19-26] Guide all the nations, — and each of us as individuals in our interactions with family, neighbors, and community, — into the ways of justice and truth, peace and love. [5]
Grant us peace O God.
* Adapted in part from The Book of Common Prayer, “Prayers and Thanksgivings”, No.s 3 -6, 14.
Prayers For Our Country 