Have you ever written or read a prayer that has stopped you short?
These past few weeks have been incredibly busy; and today as I rush to get everything done for Sunday, I came by these prayers in my own liturgy:
Prayer of Transformation / Confession (DMA)
God of Majesty and Might,
We struggle sometimes in placing
you as priority. We struggle with time,
our commitments, with needs and desires, with
the limits of our attention. Please help
us to do as we say we wish. Teach us
practices that help us center you in
our lives. Lead us in ways that will
strengthen our faith. Help us cut free
of our distractions. Let us be and live
as the disciples we are called to be.
Affirmation of Love / Assurance of Pardon (DMA)
Jesus said, “Follow me,” and the
disciples dropped what they were doing and
followed. We too are called to follow.
Let us find what that means for us.
Jesus loved his disciples and he loves
you, even if you struggle in the following.
As I read the words, I thought to myself, “Whoops! I’m off kilter.” For me, it is not a matter of what more I can get done, but the reverse: have I stopped or slowed to sit with Jesus for a moment? Have I read scripture – not because I’m preparing for a Bible Study or a sermon, but because I just want to luxuriate in the word? Have I prayed not because I’m praying for someone else or writing liturgy, but because I need to talk to God?
What I realized today from the incitement of my own writing is that it is time for a breath and a short walk with Jesus . . .
I pray that these words might inspire you as well. If you need to be reminded to act on behalf of Christ then hear that; and if you need to be reminded that Jesus is calling you simply to sit at his feet, then do that. Either way, may the love of God be with you today.
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