“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” Pr. 31:9
Our mistrust is like a cancer – it grows rapidly, saps our energy, and metastasizes in unpredictable ways. There are so many voices, so much information untethered to context, and so many predictions of doom that we look at each other with suspicion and freeze. Our hope that the common good can break through our political web slowly fades. Doubt creeps toward despair. Yet we are not alone. You, Lord, are always with us, and with you all things are possible. (Mt. 19:26). Let not our fear and suspicion turn us from wisdom. With confidence and compassion let us focus on your commands to rescue those in need (Ps. 82:3-4); to speak up, judge fairly, and defend the rights of the poor (Pr. 13:12); to have compassion on the sick and to care for each other (Mt. 25: 36-40; Dt: 15:11). Help us to reconcile our differences as we pursue our pledge of “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Encourage us, and guide us forward with your amazing grace, so that we might also say, in the words of the hymn, “through many trials, toils and snares, we have already come, ’twas grace that saw us through thus far and grace will see us home.”
Amen
Prayers For Our Country 