:: M squared T ::

:: Monday, March 17, 2003 ::

The President has spoken. Forty-eight hours.

Dear Father always near us,
may your name be treasured and loved,
may your rule be completed in us -
may your will be done here on earth
in just the way it is done in heaven.
Give us today the things we need today,
and forgive us our sins and impositions on you
as we are forgiving all who in any way offend us.
Please don't put us through trials,
but deliver us from everything bad.
Because you are in charge,
and you have all the power,
and the glory is yours - forever -
which is just the way we want it!

(Dallas Willard, The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1999), 269.)

Almighty God:
It is our desire to honor you in all that we do, say, and think. You are far beyond our comprehension. This is your world. Throughout the history of your creation you have called your people to serve you in radical ways. We praise you that you became human to bring us to yourself.

Now, God, we are faced with great uncertainty. For all we know, there is a strong possibility that our nation is going to war. We do not know if this is justifiable from your perspective. We want what you want - but we are uncertain as to what that is.

We know that your desire is for peace: and peace not being just a lack of violence - but true peace, where we have set aside all hatred, manipulation, and carelessness toward other people and toward you. We do not know what means you desire to employ in this situation to further your purposes in the world. We are willing to do what you desire - even if it goes against our own "national interest."

We confess that we cannot see. We cannot see our way out of the situation we are in. We feel powerless to change the course of world events. We invite you to come down and set things right. And insofar as we know that you desire to work through people, work through us, your people, to do your will.

Have mercy on us, Father, have mercy on us. Grant us your peace. Guide us in the paths of righteousness for your name's sake. Forgive us for our continued sinful attitudes and behaviors toward others. Wash us and make us clean. We do not want war. Grant us your peace.

All this we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, who has promised us peace that is unlike the peace of the world; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

:: Matt 3/17/2003 07:58:00 PM :: permalink :: ::
...