Lenten Prayer - Conflict

Every newscast reminds us of the often horrific events happening around the world, in a bordering state, and down the street. Conflict makes for a great story with its victims, violence, and volume. Whether the battle happens in a nation halfway around the world with a scope so big we cannot imagine or in a living room halfway down the block with friends so close we do not imagine, conflict moves us because of its intensely human aspect.

Lord, we know you did not make us for conflict, but for communion with you and all mankind. When we brought conflict into the world, you responded with a guide. You told us exactly how to connect with you and with others through the law. We could not even agree on the rules you gave us, so Jesus simplified it to two imperative sentences: 1) Love God. 2) Love your neighbor.

We know how to avoid conflict and yet the headlines are filled with it. There is a difference between knowing and doing. Lord, we ask you to give us the courage to resist conflict, and even more, wisdom and peace to navigate the conflicts that do come our way – globally or relationally. And when the conflicts do come, we also ask for the grace to reflect our connection with you because you led by example in the time you walked among us.

We thank you for showing us it can be done.

Amen

Lenten Prayer - Peacemakers

Lord,

The cacophony of conflict surrounds us, drowning out the melodies of order we long to hear. The combatants’ volume keeps the attention focused on them, but present even there are the peacekeepers. We thank you, Lord, for those who seek the heart of the hostility when others flee any contact.

For the peacekeepers, whether they navigate fronts of wars or the fences of neighbors, we ask for their safety because every dispute carries risk. We ask that they also have clear hearing to know what each side says and the wisdom to discern what each side means. And Lord, we ask you to give them patience for they begin at a place where little or no hope is seen and lead those involved to a point where all find some reason to hope.

Though they so often go unrecognized, we recognize them and give thanks for peacemakers.

Amen

Lenten Prayer - Grieving

Lord,

Everywhere we turn we find stories of people plunged into grief from violence, tragedy, and life. It is painful, personal, and universal. It touches us all.

There is so much grief to be found that it overwhelms one’s ability to comprehend it. There is more grief than any of us can understand or address. And no matter how much we want to make it better for those who suffer, there is little we are able to do.

Grief is a process, not a state. Help us to be the comforters for those who grieve – a shoulder, an ear, an empathetic countenance. Give us the wisdom to accept our limits to ending grief, but also expand our compassion. Grant us patience. Build in us attention. Remind us that you are there with us when it surpasses our human capacities.

For grief and the grieving, Lord, we ask your comfort and your peace. And we seek your guidance.

Amen

Lenten Prayer - Dreary Days

Lord,

As I look out my window at the sky colored solid gray by thick clouds, the steady fine mist of drizzle wetting the ground and barren limbs of trees with buds waiting to burst out with spring’s new life, I thank you for the dreary days.

These days of calm.

These days of refreshment.

Every day has a purpose. Help us remember that we have one too – on our bright days and on our dreary days.

Amen