Sunday Prayers - Aug 16th 2020
Total freak-out edition
Dear God.
We are going to just be taking turns for a while, if that’s ok.
Yesterday was mine. My turn to be depressed-as-hell about the closing of beloved, been-around-for-decades local businesses. My turn to be afraid because the wildfires are so bad that my eyes sting and the interstate is closed. My turn to be angry. My turn to indulge in post-apocalyptic future-casting. (OK maybe I shouldn't have watched Mad Max this week.)
Please help me not feel bad when it’s my turn, Lord. And with your grace, may my turn to completely freak out not last one minute longer than necessary. But also may it last as long as needed in order to allow it to pass when it’s time to move on and just go make the salad for dinner.
And Lord, may I be a non-anxious presence to the next person whose turn it is. May I not fear their fear so much that I fail to listen well. When I have even the tiniest extra bit of hope may I offer it without fear of being judged for “not paying attention”.
And may I remember that my terror is not a sign of your absence and my hope is not a sign of your presence.
Because you never take turns.
Amen.
For what or for whom do the people of God pray?
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Thank you for this beautiful prayer, Nadia. For my seniors (where I work): some are ok, but many are losing hope. We may be doing a great job protecting them physically, but there’s a *steep* price emotionally and spiritually. They’re dying in other ways. And with no end in sight, I fear for them. As an healthy, vibrant 85 year old said to me recently, “Aram, I only have a few more years - I’m losing a big chunk of it right now.” 💔
I pray for money so that I have room to breathe again (and I also pray to stop feeling so much shame for wanting to be financially stable). The expense-induced anxiety has paralyzed me to the point where I've lost the ability to function on a day-to-day basis. Lord, have mercy.