Getting ready for church this morning and contemplating what I will be praying for and I am reminded of this quote:
“There is something deeply hypocritical about praying for a problem you are unwilling to resolve.”
Miroslav Volf
Prayer has never been easy for me, I am less of a spiritual person than you might think. But I do take seriously the matters of the mind/spirit and their connection. So prayer for me has always had a strong contemplative element, and I don’t like to ask for things so I have not been a pray for “something” guy. But I go to a Sunday gathering of believers expecting to be challenged and to spend some time evaluating my thoughts and actions. So today, the things on my mind are:
- The violent death of 20 people in El Paso and 10 in Dayton.
- Our addiction to war and violence – how many people will die around the world today because of violence/war?
- Do I really care for the poor? I don’t know many by name.
- How can I rid myself of latent racist ideas, do I have any friends of color?
There will probably be more evocative issues raised in worship and by the pastor this morning. I need to make my prayer more fitted to action.
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
And where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
St. Francis of Assisi
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled as to console;
To be understood, as to understand;
To be loved, as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
And it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
