Jeremiah 6: 13 – 15

“From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. 14They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. ‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace. 15Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush.”

Dear Lord,

We pray for peace – but there is no peace.

In our streets, schools, churches – everywhere –

hate, racism, fear, and anger 

result in violence.

 

We pray for hope – but find despair.

The hungry, the thirsty, the naked –

all despair,

as people are jailed for giving water

to the thirsty,

as programs to feed the poor – are cut,

and suicide rates soar. 

 

We pray for faith – but find doubt.

But wait – doubt is not the enemy,

certainty is.

The self-righteous claim Christianity,

in the certainty that they are right.

We claim Christianity,

and doubt, and seek the answers –

seek to follow Jesus.

 

We pray for love –

while hate surrounds us.

Teach us to love better.

Help us to love one another –

Help us to love our neighbor –

especially our neighbor who is different from us.

 

Peace, hope, faith, love –

This is our prayer, Lord,

For all the world! Amen.

Joyce Alexander, 11-5-2019