There are so many things we take for granted, Lord:
things we seldom give a second thought to,
things we think we can always count on,
things we think will always be there, always be ours
- until we find out
things aren't as sure as we had thought,
as we had wished and hoped and prayed,
as we had dreamed, planned and expected...
Even the basic things, Lord,
things as fundamental as:
freedom
truth
tenderness
justice
humility
empathy
kindness
liberty
benevolence
integrity
generosity
gratitude
mercy
honor
fairness
compassion
virtue
honesty
common sense
common courtesy
common knowledge
common decency
More and more, Lord,
even the most simple, basic things
can't be taken for granted...
So, we're left feeling lost,
disoriented and bewildered;
we're set adrift feeling unsettled,
displaced and vulnerable;
we're no longer sure
where the boundaries are
and if they keep us in or out...
We worry and we stress
over what might might happen next,
what might next befall us,
what more will we lose...
We question and we wonder
what can be done and said
and how can we accomplish that;
how will we make our way
from here to there,
from now to then,
from this day to the next,
from tomorrow to the future...
So we turn to you, Lord!
You're timeless
- you never change;
you're constant, faithful
and steadfast;
your justice, mercy and love
are enduring and eternal...
Remind us Lord, that we can trust you,
that we can be sure
of your love and your goodness,
that we can depend
on your faithful mercy,
that we can rely
on your wisdom, word and truth;
that we can count on your promise
to be with us, lead us and guide us,
in good times and bad,
through sorrow to joy,
from here to there,
from now to then,
from today to tomorrow,
and into a future that has no end...
Lead us, Lord,
from sin to grace
from lies to truth
from despair to hope
from war to peace
from inequity to justice
from subjection to freedom
from brutality to tenderness
from tears to laughter
from the distress to relief
from prejudice to acceptance
from fear to trust
from entitlement to gratitude
from iniquity to integrity
from heartbreak to happiness
from duress to liberty
from selfishness to sacrifice
from grief to joy
from foolishness to common sense
from rudeness to common courtesy
from ignorance to common knowledge
from vulgarity to common decency,
from here to there
from today to tomorrow
and from death to life
with you for ever...
Protect us, Lord, when we're unsure,
watch over us night and day,
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
There's a long intro to this evening's music
but the piece is not instrumental
and the lyrics are uplifting...
Prayer for Peace by Margaret Rizza
If a video doesn't appear below, click here!
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