Thursday, October 31, 2013

A PRAYER FOR THE 25th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST



A PRAYER FOR THE 25th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

Psalm 98

4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
    break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
    with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
    make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
    the world and those who live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands;
    let the hills sing together for joy
9 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
    to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness


Do you hear it, Lord
That's us
Your creation
singing to you

Every wave that breaks upon the shore
Every wind that howls thru the trees
Every drop of rain that beats upon the earth
all are singing

PRAISE TO GOD
OUR GOD
CREATOR OF ALL

Every beast of the field 
Every creature in the sea
Every bird aloft
Lift their voice 

Lions roaring
Cattle stampeding
Whales singing
Eagles soaring
join the chorus

PRAISE TO GOD
OUR GOD
CREATOR OF ALL

Every mountain and forest
Every river and stream
Every field of wheat and corn
raise their anthem

Summits pointing heavenward 
Rapids bursting and bubbling
Waves of Amber, stalks growing
harmonize with all

PRAISE TO GOD
OUR GOD
CREATOR OF ALL

Every person
Every nation
Every community
chant your name

Seeking calm in the chaos
Seeking shelters from the storm
Seeking peace amidst the wars
cry unto you

PRAISE TO GOD
OUR GOD
WHO GIVES US LIFE 
SUSTAINS OUR LIFE
RESTORES OUR LIFE

PRAISE TO GOD
OUR GOD
WHO METES OUT JUSTICE
BENDS THE BOW
AND ESTABLISHES PEACE

PRAISE TO GOD
OUR GOD
WHO HEARS EVERY CRY
WHO COMFORTS EVERY HURT
WHO HEALS EVERY WOUND

PRAISE TO GOD
OUR GOD
NOW 
AND EVERMORE

AMEN




A PRAYER FOR THE 26th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST


A PRAYER FOR THE 26th SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST 

Luke 21:5-19
NRSV

7 They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” 8 And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’[a] and, ‘The time is near!’[b] Do not go after them.

9 “When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; 11 there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.

12 “But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will give you an opportunity to testify. 14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15 for I will give you words[c] and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by all because of my name. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.


This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
This is the way the world ends
Not with a bang but a whimper.
(T S Eliot)


It feels like the end of the world, Lord
 
So many people are running around
Crying that the sky is falling
Everything is falling apart
Doomsday is here
Prepare to meet your make

Everyday we look
There is chaos and crisis
Nobody can manage
All is up for grabs

Where can we hide
Where are we safe
What can we go

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
(W. B. Yeats)


It feels like the end of the world, Lord

There is nothing to hold onto
Nothing secure
Nothing sure
Nothing sacred

Our cries go unheard
Our panic undiminished
Our prayers unanswered

What can we do 
What can we say
What can we pray

14 So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; 15 for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.

Praise you Lord Jesus

Praise you for the words
you give us

Words of love instead of hate
Words of assurance instead of fright
Words of peace instead of war
Words of friendship instead of mistrust

Praise you, Lord Jesus

Praise you for the wisdom
you give

Wisdom to know truth to hold onto 
Wisdom to know the path to take
Wisdom to know when to be silent
Wisdom to know when to speak

19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.

Praise you, Lord Jesus

Praise you for the endurance
you give us

Endurance to face our enemies
Endurance to walk through the flames
Endurance to withstand every storm
Endurance to stand at the last

Praise you, Lord Jesus

Praise you for standing
ever beside us

In our moments of loss
You are there
When we are lost
You are there
In the beginning
and at the end
You are there

Praise you, Lord Jesus
Forever and ever

Amen