Read: Psalm 72
For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper…
from oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is there blood in his sight
I had this psalm picked out for my next devotion (although I’ve already written one on it and didn’t realize it), since it’s traditionally been tied to Christ and particularly to the Christmas/Epiphany season. The psalm longs for a king who rules “from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth,” (v.8) who brings people together beyond the boundary of nation-states. Furthermore, this longed-for ruler exercises power for the most vulnerable people in the society. A king whose justice is from God.
I have to admit I’m struggling with justice today, I’m struggling with what to pray when the boundaries in our world and the division between nations seems even more fixed. I’m not sure what or how to pray with war seemingly at hand. Of course, our nation has basically been at war since I was 10 years old, and yet I can’t fathom the violent reality of war, much less the complex geo-political machinations that lead to it. Today I have not words, but God does. I’m not sure where to find justice, but God does. One reading of the violence we sometimes find in scripture is that God understands the brokenness in our world, and feels the violence of war deeper than we could understand. It is when I’m without words that I’m most thankful for the tradition of the church. I hope you’ll join me in praying this “litany for the church and the world” which we share with our Anglican and Episcopal siblings.
Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Grant, almighty God,
that all who confess your name may be united in your truth,
live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations,
in the ways of justice and peace;
that we may honor one another and serve the common good.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer.
Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation,
that we may use its resources rightly
in the service of others and to your honor and glory.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer.
Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours,
and grant that we may serve Christ in them,
and love one another as Christ loves us.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit;
give them courage and hope in their troubles,
and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer.
We commend to your mercy all who have died,
that your will for them may be fulfilled;
and we pray that we may share with all your saints
in your eternal kingdom
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Silent prayer.
We offer these prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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