Prayer on a theme of The World
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Life is stressful, Father
Every second of our time
controlled precisely
whether by work or play
'Must go there' 'Must do this'
'Must watch that'
'Must buy one of those'
'Must achieve something'
'Must be loved' 'Must feel wanted'
'Must do more' 'Must win'
'Must… must… must…'
Father, you gave us limited hours
within each day
for work and play
and balanced them by the allocation
of night and day
and provision of the Sabbath
It is our choice to push the boundaries
of what you consider reasonable
and live our lives to the limits
and get stressed
and unwell
Bring us back to simplicity of living, Father
when what matters is not
'must' or 'more'
but 'maybe' and 'in all good time'
Give us the time to reassess our lives
our worth, and our responsibilities
to ourselves and others
If we had a fraction of the faith in you that you have in us
then this world would be transformed, Lord.
If we showed a fraction of the love that you show to us
then this world would be transformed, Lord
If we possessed a fraction of the patience that you display with
us
then this world would be transformed, Lord.
If we shared just a portion of the blessings that we have received
from you then this world would be transformed, Lord.
If we showed as much trust in others as you have shown in us
then this world would be transformed, Lord.
If we claimed just a fraction of the power you promised to your
Church then this world would be transformed, Lord.
Transform us first, Lord, that we might transform this world
through your love and your power.
Can we really move mountains
with a mustard seed of faith?
It seems rather a difficult task.
Could we maybe start with a molehill
and work our way up gradually?
But that's not the way it works, is it, Lord?
So often you challenge us
with the mountain
when we feel so unprepared
unequipped for the task.
It's then that we have to put self aside
and fear
and pride
and cling tightly to your hand.
It is only then that we really feel
the warmth of your touch the certainty of your love
the power of your presence.
It is only then
that our faith begins to grow
and we begin to see our real potential.
Thank your, Heavenly Father
for mountains
and mustard seeds
Loving God, we see all around us
the evidence of your love
and your loving provision for our needs.
And yet on our television screens
our newspapers and on the streets of our towns and cities
we see people who have so few of life's basic essentials
clean water, food and shelter. This is wrong, we know that in our
hearts.
You love all of humankind, not just the ones
that history has placed in the so-called developed world.
Loving God grant a spirit of responsibility
to those in positions of power a conscience that sees inequality
and wants to do something about it.
And Lord, include us
for we have become immune
to the suffering of others. |
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