Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Dear God,

How do we pray appropriately, adequately, and correctly?  I am sure I prayed inadequately for years because I prayed for my loved ones, my favorite causes and concerns, my church, my country, anything or anyone that was dear to my heart.  It was always about me and mine.  I asked you to do what I wanted for me and mine.  I ignored the world, the perpetrators of crime, the enemy, and the other.  I failed to include all those children who are truly dear to you.

On this day I remembered to pray for persons impacted by the 9/11 terrorist attack.  I prayed for survivors, families who lost children, spouses, brothers, sisters, friends, lost first responders and all Americans who were hurt by the great tragedy.  But later I thought of all the people who have been greatly harmed by wars, natural disasters, and other horrific things.  I asked myself why I would pray for some and not others. Don't those who do great harm to others need prayer?  Don't they need a friendly touch by the Creator?  Don't they need a change agent to transform them, to renew and restore their souls, hearts, and minds?  Don't we who pray have a responsibility to pray for those who harm and injure us, those whose mission it is to break others down, to bring chaos and despair, and to rob society of goodness and beauty?  What good is prayer if only for those in our own little circles?

As I felt a kind of conviction to pray for those outside my circle, I prayed expanding my circle to include all your children.

Teach me
your way,
O Lord.
Forgive me
when I
act selfishly.
Remind me
of the goal
of prayer
to unite
all your people
in love.

Always, Andrea