Tuesday, November 2,2010

Dearest God,

What is to become of our nation? On a television show this week, they were asking the question: "Is civility dead?" The commentator talked about how rude our country has become. In a recent survey people were interviewed about how they were treated or how they treat others. A famous actor was interviewed later on the show about a reality show he stars in where people yell and scream at one another, treat each other poorly, name call and generally do not practice any kind of standard for the way people should live their lives together. He completely sidestepped the question when queried about the model, the example the show gives to young people who mostly watch the program.

The survey showed that we have become more aggresive, less forgiving, rude, impolite, and unmerciful. We talk on our cellphones in inappropriate places, we pull out in front of others, we shove and push, we strike out at one another at the slightest provocation and we even forget our manners saying please and thank you. We want our way and we want everyone else to want our way. We have forgotten to practice the golden rule.

How do we reclaim our willingness and ability to care for one another? How do we rid ourselves of those practices and habits that push people to the sidelines? How do we surrender our need for dominance, for control and power? How do we eradicate gestures, words, and behaviors that damage and destroy persons? How do we return to you?

Call us out,
O God,
call us home
to where
love always reigns.
Remind us
whose we are
and how loved
we are.
Teach us again
the way
of mercy
and compassion.
Whisper to us
our need
for one another,
not to
dominate or control,
not to
fill our every
want and need,
but to walk with,
comfort, encourage,
give hope, affirm,
and love.
Help us
reach higher
for standards
that give life
rather than
take it away.
Save our nation,
make us great
in all
that really matters
so we
may serve
as an example
to the world,
I pray.

Love, Andrea