Some Prayers
October 4, 2006
Coincidentally, both Bowie and I have brothers who are deploying to Iraq for the war. We also both have brothers who are brand new parents. We’re also both starting a church together.
With these things in mind, I wrote a few prayers:
God of Isaiah and Daniel, who has promised us a day when we will beat our tools of war and destruction into tools of food and abundance, we pray for our brother who is going to war. We pray that you will keep him safe from violence and we pray that you will keep him safe from having to commit violence himself. Above all, dear God, we beg for the advent of a time when your children are no longer sent away from their families so that they may spend their energy bringing about your kingdom on earth.
God of Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth, we thank you for the gift of this child. Please help us love this child with the same love with which you have loved us, so that the bonds of love and kinship may be continually cemented in your community.
And finally, I have an excerpt from the Disco Episco which you might enjoy. The Episcopal Church requires us to pray for a) the church, b) the nation, c) the world, d) the community, e) those who are suffering, and f) those who have died. Since we only have thirty minutes to play with, my collaborator John penned the shorted Prayers Of The People I’ve ever seen:
Praying for the church and nation,
Keep the earth and congregation,
Those in trials and tribulations,
Those who’ve passed their expiration.
2 Responses to “Some Prayers”
Amen, brother!
By A. Peter Snodgrass on Oct 7, 2006
I spoke to Peter about an hour ago. He was in his room, busy with final packing and phone calls. This marks the end of a year where I could pick up my cell and call a number, reaching Peter at the other end (or leaving a message, as the case may be). It’ll take them about a month to get settled in Iraq, during which time we may not hear from him much (the lines for the phone and computers are a long wait for a short reward). But, A. Peter, you’ll be in my constant prayers and, for another year, in the prayers of so many. God be with you. We’ll miss you stateside! Keep reading our blog, boy, and we’ll party when you get back. Love and hugs to you, B
By Bowie on Oct 9, 2006