The darkness loves to parade itself, God,
to draw our attention and steal our energy,
with fearful threats
and dire prophecies of doom.
We all too easily give it just what it seeks.
But, if we can just drag our gaze away
we discover that there is another reality;
that your light shines undimmed,
that your care is undiminished,
that your strength and protection are unfailing.
And so, even in the midst of pain, suffering, evil,
even when it seems your light is almost out,
we choose to remain under the shadow of your wings;
to trust in your salvation,
to speak your words,
and to dispel the darkness
by lighting the flame of faith again in our hearts.
Ours is the treasured conviction that God as the Mother of all things,
gave birth to the visible and invisible universe.
Out of this seed of faith we discover the confidence
to bring to You, Our Father,
our broken and dying world.
Our plea is that You would transform its dyings into seeds of life.
Ours is the treasured conviction that God was born human,
lived a human life, known to us as Jesus,
and died a human death at human hands.
Our plea is that You will be with those facing fear and threat
and those facing death, and remain close to them.
Ours is the treasured conviction that the life of Jesus
was stronger than the grave which imprisoned Him,
and that He returned to His compassionate throne
to make life available to all creation.
Out of this seed of faith we discover the comforting reality
that You, Brother Christ, walk at our side through our hurting.
Our plea is for every sufferer, that Your life would triumph over every prison of pain.
Ours is the treasured conviction that the Breath of God hovers over creation still,
birthing timeless, boundary-crossing relationships,
removing the stains of decay, and opening graves until time ceases to be.
Out of this seed of faith we discover the warm glow of hope.
Our plea is for all whose eyes are blinded by their despair,
for all who grasp too firmly to this temporary reality,
and for all who work to show the world the vision of Your future.
Ours is the treasured conviction that You hear our prayers
and are with those we pray for, and this week we pray for:
Mary, Peter, Cath, David,
Leona, Margaret, Ged, Jess,
Murdo, Joy, Mary, Leigh,
Eric, Catherine, the Wexelstein family,
Irene, Raphael and family…
God of our hearts, and of our world, may our longings be inspired by Yours,
and may these prayers be a proclamation of Your Word
to a humanity which hears with difficulty. Amen.
[based on a prayer by John van de Laar]
