Prayer for Us in the World in Worrying Times

Without much doubt we’re living in tremulous times. The tectonic shifts of seismic proportions in the previous year should cause us all concern.

Our Eternal Father, Who justifies humanity so much as to live, and gives us breath and purpose, I bow before You, and give You what You’ve designed for me to give — recognition of Your Sovereignty over all of life, from eternity past stretched out eternally. You and You alone are worthy of my worship. Forgive me those times when I make idols of other things. I thank You that Your grace is sufficient for me.

Lord, we’re concerned, really disturbed. Firstly, God, it’s the leadership of the United States of America that threatens to destabilise our world most. No matter what people say about the outgoing President, the incoming President seems neither a man of compassion nor wisdom. How will he unify a nation? Why does he affront the world? Secondly, the state of the world’s economy is at a tenuous point, and another breakdown of the financial system can never be counted out, as greed abounds to insatiability. Thirdly, more than ever national governments are thinking selfishly, not inclusively, when the world needs more geopolitical cooperation, not less. The culture of the world’s peoples underpins and drives this, and there seems more a divide — a vicious and vociferous divide, accentuated through this social media age — between the right and the left than ever before. Fourthly, the environment and global warming are possibly beyond repair, even if there was sufficient world leadership to respond. What planet are we leaving to our grandchildren, Father? Is it to another planet You’re calling us? Would we even look after it? Fifthly, and lastly, Lord, what are we to make of terrorism; the insidious scourge, a war from within? How will this menace possibly be defeated?

Lord, grace us with this knowledge: that, no matter what, You and only You are in control, even when it looks like everything is out of control. Grace us with peace when we’re riddled with anxiety, joy when we’re saddened, and hope when despair threatens to swallow us whole.

We know, Father, that You have Your purposes in the way life works out. Assure us now and always, by Your Presence in our person, that You have Your purposes in the way the world is going. Give us vision to see positive things in this world, and passion and energy to join innovative responses within loving communities.

Father, give us hope as the new President is inaugurated, prudence with our resources and diligence for our work, courage to be the people of God who have a voice, faith that You have Earth in the palm of Your hand, and trust as we venture through the world, with Your Spirit’s wisdom guiding us.

We live for You, Father,

In Your Son’s precious and holy name, I pray, in and through the Holy Spirit.

AMEN.