Prayer for National Healing

Dear God,

We praise you with thanks, “that you have placed a harmony of lights in the heavens that night is followed by day and the glowing of the moon by the glistening of the sun thanks be to you, O God.”

Too many days dawn with a people divided. What causes some to rejoice leads others to fear and regret. That which divides us continues to tear at the seams of the fabric of our nation. We are a Disunited States. The beauty of this nation stretches out before us, across wheat fields and deserts, from the mountains to the prairies, from sea to shining sea. Remind us, O God, that as different as the moon is from the sun, they balance against one another in the skies – shining in turn, moon reflecting the light of the sun, sometimes appearing together, seldom eclipsing one another before quickly moving back into balance. Move us into balance when we feel jumbled and confused, angry with one another, fearful of what the world holds in store.

Thank you O God, “that you have placed a harmony of lights in my soul

 that there is gentleness and firmness of strength

 intuitive knowing and enlightened reasoning

 thanks be to you”

Help us remember your calling to us to be agents of forgiveness and reconciliation, love and peace, healing and hope in a world made dark by fear, hatred and brokenness. As we feel trapped in our homes awaiting a healing or vaccine remind us of the call to patience and strength for you are with us on our journeys. You walk with us even when we don’t see you, when we forget that you are here. When we feel we are spinning our wheels, out of control - turn our eyes to Naomi and Ruth who returned to Bethlehem after the deaths of their loved ones and found relief from famine there. They had courage and trust in one another and in you.

“Let me be so sure of your law of harmony in all things

 that I seek it in my own depths

 and in knowing it in my inner life

 yearn for it in the torn relationships of my world

 man and woman

 black and white

 sun and moon in a harmony of movement.”

Help us to rebuild our nation by finding your image in the face of others, by pulling out the best in us to serve those who are the least, any who are lost and by stretching out a hand to the lonely. Remind us of the gift of Mary, anointing you with her acts of her hands, her wealth in costly perfume and even her hair reminding us that caring for the body of Christ is the most important thing for us all.

 

Journey with us, O God, in the time of tumult when twists and turns of this coronavirus crisis seem to have no end. Remind us of the hope we have in you and lead us to back to a place centered on your love, trust, promise and new life that conquers all. We thank you God for the leaders, the healers and all the unrecognized, unsung helpers showing us the way forward again and again.

May we find strength in our diversity and seek the courage to live into the motto - In God we Trust. For only in turning to you can we live in safety. Only in you will we find justice. Only in you will we know the peace. Lord as we repent and lament injustice, heal us mind, body and soul

“O Sun behind all suns

O Soul behind all souls

Grant me the grace of the dawn’s glory

Grant me the strength of the sun’s rays

 that I may be well within my own soul

 and part of the world’s healing this day

that I may be well within my own soul

 and part of the world’s healing this day. Amen."

 Prayer based upon prayers by J Philip Newell's Celtic Benediction (quoted portions)