Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Dear God,

It is so hard to pray and not want a particular outcome.  We may think we have the perfect answer, a child healed of a dreaded disease, a special job that pays well, a beloved mate for a lifetime, or even entrance into the school of our choice.  However, you may wish something different for us.  Your plan will incorporate aspects we may not even think to consider.  You call us to pray, trusting you to reveal your will.

So often, Lord, we cling to people believing we must have them forever and ever.  We want to will away their terminal illness.  We want them to live forever.  Yet, in the end forever will not free them for the perfect life we wish for.  In the midst of illness, pain, discomfort, and loss, we have to trust you to care for your beloved in your way taking your lead to do our part whatever that may be.

Sometimes I wonder if prayer is ultimately intended to grow our love for your people, even strangers far, far away, people living in poverty, war zones, and in countries where leaders care more for themselves than their own people.  I wonder if your intent is to build a world-wide community of people, men, women, youth, and children who care for one another, who share, who give gifts of love, skill, jobs, humility, grace, mercy, understanding and even more.  I wonder if prayer is intended for us to do that which we expect you alone to do.  I am sure prayer is not we giving you a list of what you should do for the world but rather a list of ways you and we intend to love and care for one another.

Show us
the way
to care,
truly care
for the world,
O Lord.
Keep us connected
not only
in prayer
but other
tangible ways
that make
a good difference
in the lives
of others.
Forgive us
when we
demand our
own answers.
Teach us
to learn
what is best
and then do
our part.
Thank you.

Love, Andrea