You love us
spectacularly –
blazing light extravagant,
unconditional,
pure and
true.

And yet so often,
we fail
to even see You.

We are blind
to Your presence
in each other’s
hearts,
soft and burning
for someone to notice
and care,
innocence buried
under layers of injustice-
scars
we didn’t choose.

We fail
to see purity,
when it’s shrouded
in suffering
passed down
like a legacy-
every ounce longing
to be healed,
screaming for mercy
with no one to hear.

It’s easier to judge,
condemn
and crucify
You
in each other
over and over again.

Lord,
you forgave us
“they know not
what they do.”

Give us the grace
to forgive
each other.

Give us the grace
to realize
the fire
of Your light
burning
in the hearts
of those,
who we are tempted to reject.

Help us become conscious
of what we’re doing
this time –
to You now,
so we can begin to care.

Don’t let us forget
You live
in our hearts too.

Lord, too often even as we profess to believe in You, we fail to see You in the hearts of the poor, oppressed and marginalized of our society. On a surface level we know that You created all people, but we do not acknowledge your presence in the hearts of people from different religions, cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, socioeconomic backgrounds and people whose behavior does not reflect Your grace in the moment.

When our own needs are met, we are constantly tempted to turn a blind eye to the needs and deep wounds of those around us, who have been through trials beyond what we have ever had to cope with.

Give us the grace to look unflinchingly into our own heart for any sign of entitlement, which puts our needs ahead of those, who are less fortunate. By the power of Your love, root out any bigotry, hatred, judgement and condemnation that is lurking in the shadows of our hearts. Strengthen us with hearts full of true empathy and compassion, even when it challenges us to suffer on another’s behalf.

Release us from a need to feel superior to any other human being, regardless even of their behavior in any given moment. Help us to realize any privilege we have received, which has given us advantages in life that were not afforded to those, who were born into different circumstances through no fault of their own.

Heal us from the need to judge, condemn and shame others. Give us the grace to see into the depths, under the surface into the wounds and trauma, which are the root cause of so much dysfunction we see in our world today.

Help us to realize our interconnectedness with all of humanity. Give us the strength to empathize fully and engage in the struggle for justice for all people to be treated with the dignity they deserve as children of God.

Empower us to truly understand and live by the beatitudes, which You so freely gave a s a gift to humanity:

Matthew 5 1-12:

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes

He said:

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
⁴ Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
⁵ Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
⁷ Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
¹⁰ Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

As part of your faith journey, what are you doing to show solidarity with those, who are marginalized and oppressed in our society? Where does prayer fit into on your journey? How do the beatitudes challenge and affirm you on your spiritual path? Comment below, and I’ll be delighted to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

written by Nicky Gant for http://www.uniteinprayer.org 7/3/2020