A prayerful reflection on Psalm 23 and the news of the day.
Prayers
for suffering people of Nepal, you are beloved of God
for transgender people everywhere, you are beloved of God
for overwhelmed parents, you are beloved of God
for people dying of police and military brutality, you are beloved of God
for those overturning racism and ignorance, you are beloved of God
for those fearful about the future, you are beloved of God
for those rejoicing at new life, you are beloved of God
for those bitterly caught in cycles of judgment, you are beloved of God
for those healing and dying and hoping in hospitals, you are beloved of God
for those writing poems and making music of hope, you are beloved of God
May you find still waters, green pastures
(may panic and over-doing pass)
May you find guidance that leads in the paths of righteousness and compassion
(may self-righteousness and impulses to violence pass by)
May you find that which restores your soul
(may isolation and meaninglessness and hopelessness pass by)
May you find the table of grace spread even in the presence of enemiesand the transforming Spirit that turns them into friends who love and forgive and work together for the wholeness and healing of the world.
Amen
The Rev. Ann Adkinson is the pastor at First United Methodist Church in Tacoma, Washington.
Image Credits: “Sheep” by Flickr user Vida Dimovska, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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