Our Father and our God,
We come to you, on the eve of another ordinary sunrise and sunset ordained by you. We know you are with us, and yet we still find ourselves prone to anxiety and fear over what has been and what may be to come.
And as much as our apprehension stems from unrest in the world, our fragile condition is also caused by the sin in our hearts. We say we love our enemies, but in reality we have long abandoned them. We cry out in sorrow, and yet sometimes the only thing you have wounded in us is our vanity.
Though we know your Kingdom is coming and it is here, we live as if it does not exist. Instead of being generous, we withhold. Instead of admitting that systems of power were constructed to suppress the marginalized, we cling to traditions because they make us feel safe at the expense of another made in your image. Instead of speaking the truth in love for unity with brothers and sisters, we weaponize theology so that it vindicates us and our purposes.
Though you have revealed your will to us through the Word, we second guess your intentions and are easily deceived into believing what the serpent planted in the hearts of Adam and Eve – that you could not be truly good.
We go elsewhere for crumbs instead of asking you for our daily bread. We plant our identities in the platforms of a two-party political system rather than in the fruit of the spirit. We walk down dark paths as we compare our earthly storehouses of relationships, achievements, money, children, and status. We now find ourselves addicted to the vices that we swore we would forget.
Forgive us for these grievous sins, our Father, who art in heaven. This has been one of our most trying years, and we often don’t know how to live with grace-filled steps. We have seen the plight of the marginalized worsen, compounded by unemployment, sickness, unabashed racism, food insecurity, and unseen domestic abuse. This worldwide pandemic and the continued attacks on human dignity has brought death upon death. We have buried our sons and daughters long before their bodies began to age. We could not hold the hand of our mothers and fathers as they passed on. Those who battle mental illness have been presented with even weightier mountains to move.
We search for righteousness but discover only injustice. We helplessly watch as those who break your law and your heart continue to evade all of the man-made systems designed to hold one another to account.
We are in pain, O Lord, have mercy. Remind us that though we wither and fade, your Word endures forever.
Through your Word, remind us that power proceeding from a place of privilege should protect, and not persecute. Help us remember that you, by your ultimate cosmic power, did this for us when you sent your son out from perfection and into this broken world to give us rest. Imprint into our hearts the image of Jesus our king giving up his heavenly majesty, accepting a crown of thorns, and serving us until his last breath. Show us how you have empowered us, and how we might use our power in the same way.
Through your Word, remind us that it is by grace and faith alone, and not our vote or political party affiliation, that we can stand before a holy God and not be consumed by his glory. Rebuke us for having put all of our hope in the outcome of this election, instead of in the King of kings and Lord of lords. Teach us how to be kingdom citizens who seek the welfare of our cities through faithful civic engagement. Use us to build up our communities, exhort fellow brothers and sisters, and diligently pray for our leaders.
We ask for a vaccine that will be developed safely, civil servants in government who are committed to both justice and mercy, and for grace upon grace as we navigate these turbulent waters.
Enable us to persevere in praying for our loved ones and also for our enemies. Condition us to flourish as those who, though persecuted, are never crushed. Give us joy that defiantly emanates light in the caverns of deep darkness. Encourage us with the truth of our great hope – that by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, your peace that surpasses our finite understanding is with us in the midst of every crashing wave, and to the end of the age.
Until you wipe away every tear, until you swallow up death forever, may we love you and one another, and may you be glorified.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.