Sunday prayers .....

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I subscribe to works by Lutheran minister Nadia Bolz-Weber (I love the woman, to put it plainly), and her writings today spoke to me. I thought her words might also speak to some of you, and perhaps encourage you. You don't have to be religious to take something positive from this, so for those who might find this of interest, here are her Sunday prayers:
"God of all beings,
A lot of us feel less safe than we did a few days ago and a few days ago we weren’t feeling that secure to begin with. Help us draw upon you, our Divine Source, when what we have just isn’t enough to get through the day.
A lot of us are grieving. Actually, all of us are grieving: lost friends, lost kin, lost homes, lost income, lost connection to others, lost health. Help us not also lose hope. We can lose a lot and still survive, but not that.
A lot of us are so angry. Angry that our inherent worth and dignity seems up for debate by those who have never had their worth and dignity questioned in courts of law. Angry that love of power seems to trump love of neighbor. Repurpose our anger into righteous action, Lord.
(Personal note: My fear is turning to anger and I am afraid that my anger can turn so easily to hate and hate is the thing I say I am against. Turn me away from hate. My heart can’t take that kind of brittleness because I need it to give and to receive love. Remind me that my heart is spoken for.)
A lot of us are ashamed of how numb we feel, but honestly we’ve run out of emotional bandwidth and the system needs to re-boot before it comes back on-line. Give us rest and self-compassion.
A lot of us are joyous and feel like we have to shield that joy from others, lest it seem like we are callous toward those who are hurting. Help us see and celebrate what good there is in our lives and the lives of those around us.
I don't think you created us to be able to metabolize such a constant stream of bad news everyday, Lord. But I do know that you created us to metabolize cookies. And for that I give you thanks and praise. They are helping. But they are not enough.
So if you could show the hell up right now, that would be great. And if you are already showing up, give us new eyes to notice you.
Amen."

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5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

I'm sure the creator is with us in the midst of uncertainty, pain, angst, and myriad forms of suffering that many endure today from countless external sources. Some may choose not to see where goodness is moving, but as human beings we are sometimes simply incapable of seeing. That is what these prayers speak to. I do not believe the creator condemns our inability to "see", but grieves with us and moves to hold us even closer as we writhe.

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Comments (16)

Springroz
5 years ago
Lovely prayer! I believe He IS showing up, but we are choosing not to see. We are choosing opposite, and materialism and other sins are taking His place. I also (lol) believe that if I ate the cookies, I would be consumed with anxiety. That is what sugar does to me....YMMV.
arcy_gw
5 years ago
Very true Spring.. God has not moved. God has not stopped offering his blessings. Sadly His creation is looking in other places for pleasure/gifting/transient happiness. SEEK God and the JOY He is wanting to shower us with!!!
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Elaine Ricci
5 years ago
Thanks for sharing this, Ida. There has been so much to grieve in recent years that it has often been a challenge to keep gratitude and hope afloat, and to be confident that love and truth will win out over hatred and lies.
l pinkmountain
5 years ago
Our pastor's sermon at church today was about how God is just bountiful in his blessings. That's just the way he is. They're just out there, often without rhyme or reason as to merit. The key is to notice them and be grateful when we run across them. But also, we serve God not because of the blessings or the rewards, but the serving is the right way to be. There's so much jealousy and criticism and comparison to others out there in our society, and also a relentless negativity which feeds our insecurity, which keeps us anxious and vulnerable to the suggestions of whatever magic pill the salesmen of this world are pitching, which is a demon fed by our obsession with materialism. We need support to turn away from it. Great prayer! I try to spend my time with inspirational thoughts and people, but it is a struggle many days! Thanks for sharing something positive today IdaC!
bpath
5 years ago
As an aside, Ida, since you shared a prayer from a Lutheran pastor, have you seen these masks?
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Those are great, bpath! Luther would be proud. 😉
LucyStar1
5 years ago
I listen to her podcast "The Confessional".
User
Original Author
5 years ago
Me too, Lucy. Our Methodist minister often quotes her. Her books have meant a lot to me.
Sister Sunnie
5 years ago
Nadia Bolz-Weber is the best. Everytime I listen to her, theres a message for me......
Lette nyano
2 years ago
It's the first time I hear of it
Vermyt taoxy
2 years ago
It's the first time I hear of it
Marcello melan
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
I really appreciate you sharing these Sunday prayers by Nadia Bolz-Weber. They resonate with so many emotions we're all feeling in these challenging times. It's a reminder to find strength, compassion, and hope, even when it's tough. I also suggest you guys check out whenyouneedgod.com for more positive verses and prayers. Thanks for spreading positivity and empathy!
Kswl
2 years ago
That strikes me more as a rant than a prayer. ☹️
Ida Claire
2 years ago
I deleted my previous comment as it was more provocative than I intended. More a reaction than a response.

Kswl, this is an old thread that spammers are intent on resurrecting. It was shared at a time when tensions were perhaps a bit higher in our country. I and others found the words to be profound and helpful. I'm sorry it hit you differently.

I hope you have a good day and fully recover from your bout with Covid very soon.
Kswl
2 years ago
Thank you Ida 💐