In preparation for prayer this morning: At a recent College of Regional Ministers meeting, a colleague (LaTaunya M Bynum) shared the story of visiting a slave castle on the coast of Ghana with our Global Ministries (Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ) partners. She remarked on the horrors of the place and the stench of suffering and death that still fill the air. She also told us about the church that sits on top of the slave castle. How the church sat above the immense suffering and degradation of human beings then, and often now.
“We are created in and for a complex ecology of relatedness, and without it we wither and die. This simple fact has critical implications: community is not a goal to be achieved but a gift to be received.” Parker Parker J. Palmer
Holy One,
We know that a church cannot sit on the edge of the sea and not address the rising tide.
We know that sinking sands erode our stance.
We know that we can’t live in isolation as outrageous actions take place all around us.
We can’t hide within the walls of the church.
Our worship must live in the world—
as awareness, as justice, as appreciation, as integrity, as prophetic insight, as truth seekers and tellers, as doers of the Word.
We are created in and for a complex relatedness of beloved community. Without which we wither and die.
We pray for the families of the dead and those traumatized at Chicago Mercy Hospital— A doctor, a police officer, and pharmacy tech, and the shooter. We pray for deep healing of the wounds.
We pray that we will teach that violence and death do not serve You.
We also pray this Thanksgiving week for travelers on the way, whether to family of to refuge. May there be mercies on the journey and kindness at the table.
We pray for the whole beloved community, that we might learn to receive each other as the gifts we are.
In the Holy name of Jesus—I pray.