Posts Tagged ‘guidance’

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Heal Our Hates O Lord

June 24, 2015

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Lord, thank you for the love, forgiveness, and mercy shown by the survivors at Emanuel A.M.E. Church and for the witness they have given in the face of hate. Thank you for the politicians who departed from the usual patterns of division and denial to speak up and out in support of their brothers and sisters in faith.

As James Russell Lowell, observed in 1845*,

To us all, to every nation comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side;

Let us choose good O Lord.

[N]ew occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth;  they must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of truth.

Let us move forward O Lord, guided by your grace.  Help us to learn new ways.

Heal our hates O Lord. Help us live in peace with one another (Romans 12:18).

Amen.

* Quotes from poem printed as the hymn, “To Us All, to Every Nation”,  v. 1 and 2, Chalice Hymnal #634.

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Needing God’s Guidance

March 14, 2011

Lord, as we see the hungry and those without health care,

Teach us compassion.

As our economy begins to grow in fits and starts, leaving many behind,

Teach us to share.

As media reports excite rather than educate,

Lead us toward wisdom.

As individual citizens are asked to cut back or give more while flaws in our economic and regulatory systems go uncorrected,

Help us pursue justice.

As we face an uncertain future,

Fill us with hope and help us to follow your word.

Let us hear your voice and learn to listen to each other.  Harden not our hearts.

Have mercy on us all O Lord.

Amen.

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Grace and Confidence -3

December 29, 2009

For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end. Ps. 48:14

Lord as we celebrate your birth we are reminded that you are the light that shines in a dark world that does not understand.   John 1:5.

Yet you are the God of truth. May the light of your truth guide us in the year to come.  Ps. 43:3.

You are the God of love.  In your unfailing love, lead us to greater care and compassion for one another.  Ex. 15:13.

You are the God of mercy.  May we find forgiveness for our pride and greed. Help us to learn to act justly, to forgive and to heal, and to walk humbly with you. Micah 6:8.

You are the God of hope.  May you guide our feet into the paths of peace and help us to move beyond fear and factions so that we might live in greater harmony in the years to come.  Luke 1:79.

You are the God of joy.  Let us be renewed by your presence among us, accept the gift of your grace, and rejoice in your gift of redemption and promise of eternal life.  Luke 2:10-14.

You are the God of grace.  Let us accept the assurance you offer and move forward in faith.  Guide us in the the ways of wisdom (Pr.4;11), and restore and strengthen our souls (Ps. 23:3).

Help us, O Lord, to heed your call and to trust in you.   Guide us in your truth and teach us, for you are our God and Savior, and our hope is in you.  Ps. 25:5.

Guide us O Lord.

Amen

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Illumine Us

November 2, 2009

Yet these men speak abusively against whatever they do not understand; and what things they do understand by instinct, like unreasoning animals — these are the very things that destroy them. Jude 10

Lord, forgive the bloggers that rant without reason, that accuse without foundation, that rail against realities they refuse to accept.  Forgive the pundits who incite hate and anger and sow confusion and fear.  Forgive those in the media that rebroadcast soundbites and ignore context and complexities.  Do not let their fear, confusion and anger distract, delay or prevent us from moving forward.  Instead,

Open our eyes that we may see, glimpses of the truth that could set us free.  Enlighten us.

Open our ears that we might hear, voices of truth that are sounding clear.  Lead us.

Open our hearts, that we might share your love and truth without fear.  Illumine us.*

Help us to look at facts, to understand cause and effect, to accept our current reality and to move forward.

Guide us.  Enlighten us.  Illumine us.   Help us to be wise, O Lord.

Amen

(*paraphrased from the hymn Open My Eyes That I Might See” by Clara Scott, 1895)

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