“hear our prayer this day” by Austin Fleming

Flags waving,
patriotic music filling the airwaves,
picnics celebrating,
picture1kegs of beer overflowing,
tables laden with ribs and beans,
corn on the cob and slaw.

Just another holiday that’s lost its meaning?
Or a time to remember that our freedom is at great cost.

Hear Our Prayer This Day

by AUSTIN FLEMING

In the quiet sanctuaries of our own hearts,
let each of us name and call on the One whose power over us
is great and gentle, firm and forgiving, holy and healing …

You who created us,
who sustain us,
who call us to live in peace,
hear our prayer this day.

Hear our prayer for all who have died,
whose hearts and hopes are known to you alone …

Hear our prayer for those who put the welfare of others
ahead of their own
and give us hearts as generous as theirs …

Hear our prayer for those who gave their lives
in the service of others,
and accept the gift of their sacrifice …

Help us to shape and make a world
where we will lay down the arms of war
and turn our swords into ploughshares
for a harvest of justice and peace …

Comfort those who grieve the loss of their loved ones
and let your healing be the hope in our hearts…

Hear our prayer this day
and in your mercy answer us
in the name of all that is holy.

The peace of God be with you.

JESUITRESOURCE.ORG

 

one, two, three, what are we fighting for?

Different generation, different side of the continent, more sophisticated weapons…but folks, it’s the same old bullshit.  Sending young men and women off to fight the war that lines the pockets of corporate greed and political corruption.  We have learned nothing, not a damned thing.

we should pray

Please pray with me tonight for our earth.   Matters not whom you name as Supreme, nor what you label yourself politically, nor where you live on this planet.  Our world needs our utmost devotional attention to the escalating crisis between the United States and North Korea.  Millions of lives hang in the balance, millions of our brothers and sisters need us tonight and in the days ahead to fill the spaces of God’s reality with fervent supplication for a peaceful solution.

Lord,

We know war is not your answer to the problems man has created in the world because of his inability to love unceasingly and selflessly.  You have taught us a different way, a path of peace and compromise leading to a brotherhood of humanity all sheltered under your loving arms.

We are on the brink of catastrophe because we have put personal agendas, greed, lust for power, and political philosophies ahead of the instructions given to us in all the scriptures by all messengers from your eternal, universal essence.  We have strayed from the truths which tell us that all humanity is created equally worthy of freedom and justice and happiness.  We have faltered in our evolution to enlightenment.

Please, let it not be too late.  As our prayers are touching the world leaders who are at the forefront of this confrontation use our collective power to heal the hurts which have made them the men they are today, to erase the hardships which have made them insecure, to release the egocentric needs to be top dog, and then fill their lives with the beauty of surrender to a greater universal power.  Let them know that they also are sons of a most magnificent brilliance which can overcome all obstacles to peaceful coexistence.

Safety, peace, and happiness.

 

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