A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, July 30th

Good Morning, God

Lord, it behooves us to be able to laugh at ourselves, even when we are dealing with serious things.  A case in point, Lord, was the headline that said that there is now an app (or “application”) on our I-phones where we can see ourselves in the various clothing of different religions.  For example, some may see themselves in a nun’s habit; some in a black pulpit robe; some in priestly garb complete with the headdress; some in a fancy three-piece suit with handkerchief in the pocket.

The app, called “Ordain Thyself” doesn’t confer any religious credentials, but merely lets a person see themselves as a religious worker.  Some of us, who have the ordinations that take an undergraduate degree and a seminary degree and rigorous ordination exams, and then a church that wants us, may be offended by the humor in this.

But, Lord, what if through this you would speak to a person you really want as an ordained worker for you?  We know that you do have a sense of humor and that you use many means to touch our lives.  Perhaps this app is one.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

A Prayer for the Headlines foe Friday, July 27th

Good Morning, God,
The headlines today are about an international event that could surely enjoy your guardianship, Lord! The Olympics open today in London, but rather than the back-stories on all the amazing athletes, we get the sensational story of how it takes 18,200 troops to "guard" the "games"!
It is said that the Ministry of Defense is also deploying two warships, Typhoon fighter jets, Puma helicopters, and high-velocity missile batteries on rooftops! My gosh, are we sure that we shouldn't just call these "war games"?

Lord, sorry for the sarcasm, but why must everything that is good about sports and people coming together to participate and watch, have to be "protected" like it is more of a prison camp than a sports arena? You say this is nothing new, only that the "sport" used to be even about how long men could make it with lions competing with them in the arena? You say it is still about sin against righteousness?

Loving God, we pray for the safety, endurance and success of each athlete, the pure enjoyment of the spectators and complete protection from any nefarious, evil intent and attack.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, July 25th

Good Morning, God,
The headlines just keep coming, don't they, God, telling us about the fallout from sin. The fallout this time is from the Sandusky sexual abuse scandal, cover-up, and the lack of proper oversight and control by those in authority. Now, a very fine university and some very fine young men and adult men who have come through Penn State will forever live with the stigma and stink - plus having their efforts on the football field nullified for the past, present and future. Those currently in authority have wielded their power thoroughly.
Lord Jesus, we pray for the extreme remorse - the extreme remorse - by everyone who had even the slightest involvement in the sins. We pray that all concerned will accept the penalties as pronounced, then begin to lead a more righteous life inside and outside the university.
We pray for each and every victim, that their lives will be healed and peaceful. And, we pray for the innocent people - the students, faculty, staff and supporters of Penn State, that they will have hope and strength enough for the new days ahead.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, July 23rd

Good Morning, God,
Lord, whether we like it or not, or admit it or not, the headlines since Friday have bothered us. Some of our feelings are fear; some feelings are anger; some are frustrations; and, some are even hate. Lord, we even don't know what we are supposed to feel after something as horrific as the shootings in the theatre in Colorado takes place. We just know we are supposed to feel something.
So, Lord, even though you are busy comforting, strengthening, and giving wisdom to the people of Aurora, please give us the wisdom and strength and comfort to handle our feelings here. We don't want to fear going to our theatres. We don't want to imagine everyone we meet as a possible murderer. We want to feel safe in our homes, on our streets , around our businesses and even at our entertainment.
Lord, let us hear your words, "In life and in death you belong to me. You are my child, and I am always with you.
Thank you, Lord. We hear and pray this in Jesus' strong name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, July 20th

Good Morning, God

Some of the headlines this week have been about tainted food again.  This time it is about sewing needles being found in different turkey sandwiches that were served on at least four different airplanes coming out of Amsterdam.  It seems that, somehow, these needles were put into the sandwiches.  Fortunately, no one has been hurt by this prank.

Of course, Lord, this is definitely a prank, and a dangerous one at that!  Sewing needles are definitely not part of the ingredients of a sandwich!  So how and why did this happen?

Was it done by a worker just wanting to have a bit of fun?  It isn’t right to think that anyone would consider this a humorous act.  Was it done by a worker wanting to express his or her frustration at something, perhaps personal, perhaps work related.  Was it done by a worker who is truly angry at the food company or the airlines?

The answer doesn’t matter, Lord.  Please protect all of us from pranks that can injure – and straighten out the minds of those who would be the perpetrators.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, July 18th

Good Morning, God,
Three young boys, typical young boys, seen at the 4-H fair with their hands over their hearts as our National Anthem, The Star Spangled Banner, was sounding throughout the fair grounds. Three young boys from different areas around here, able to meet every year at the 4-H fair. Three young boys just havin' fun at the fair, until they are old enough to paticipate.
Lord God, we remember these more idyllic times, times when we were taught patriotism, taught how to play together and without adult supervision, taught the difference between right and wrong - and lived it.
Lord, just for a bit today and every day, grant us the vision to see the world around us through 8-year-old eyes. Help us to enjoy playing togetrher with a couple of good friends. Lead us to remember our manners, our boundaries, and our honor in patriotism toward the country in which we live.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, July 16th

Good Morning, God

Lord, the question before us always these days is do we come down on the side of the law or do we come down on the side of grace?  A case in point has happened in Florida recently.  A young man, 21yrs old, was life-guarding on the beach.  He was notified that a swimmer was in trouble in the water.  However, the swimmer was outside the area that the lifeguard was supposed to cover.  Thinking of the rules for only a second, the lifeguard chose to save the life, which he did.  The young man though is no longer a lifeguard – he was fired for going outside of his assigned territory.  He had made an error landing on the side of grace rather than on the side of law.

Lord, we face such choices every day.  Is what we are doing giving others a better day, a future hope, a joyful existence?  Is what we are doing sapping energy, causing friction, “obeying the rules” but . . . .?

Lord, whenever and wherever possible, and as much as it depends on us, May we always choose grace over law.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, July 13th

Good Morning, God

Our headlines draw our attention to our 4-H Fair today, Lord.  We lay the week before you, asking for your favorable weather, your protection for safety, your encouragement whether we “ribbon” or not and you understanding when it comes to “city folks” understanding why “country folks” do it every year!

We do thank you, Creator God, for giving us this earth and creating the ways of self-sustainment.  We are thankful for being able to participate in your beauty and tastefulness.  We thank you that we can take part in birthing, nurturing, teaching and showing our animals.  We appreciate all the positive, good things that 4-H teaches and that you enable us to learn.

Lord, may 4-H help us be your instruments to help others:  Where people hate, let us love; where people injure, let us pardon; where people doubt, let us share faith; where people despair, let us give hope; where people are sad, let us give joy.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, July 11th

Good Morning, God,
Sometimes we hear voices, Lord, and never see the face behind it. Sometimes, Lord, we are listened to by ears and never see the head the ears are attached to. Sometimes we are encouraged to both speak and listen - and we are better for it.
One of the examples of these things is listening to these Prayers for the Headlines, Lord, as well as being able to pray them. We are grateful for your presence in our heads and our understanding; for being in our eyes and our looking; for being in our mouths and in our speaking; in our heart and in our thinking; and, at our end and at our departing. Lord, we are thankful that we can sense your presence even though we can't see you.
Today, we also thank you for a person we have heard but not usually seen. Thank you for Karen Dorrel's life and her work through the airways at WITZ. Her voice and ear will be missed.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, July 9th

Good Morning, God

Lord, why are people so inhumane and inhuman to other people?  Lord, don’t you see from heaven the torturing that goes on in many places around the world, but particularly as it has been lately in Syria?  Reports out of there have 25,000 people detained in a network of 27 detention centers where beatings and electrocutions are common.  If we could see these atrocities, we would lose our lunch.

What causes a person or group of people to be so nasty, disrespectful and even murderous, Lord?  Is it jealousy?  Is it religion? Is it creedal differences? Is it all about trying to wield power while feeling powerless?

Heavenly Father, we pray today for all those who are victims of abuse -  abuse at the hands of friends, abuse by supposed lovers, torture by governmental agents, and even abuse in the name of religion.  Change the hearts of the men and women who perpetrate such atrocities and heal the wounds of the victims and victimizers.  May we all have justice and love mercy and walk humbly with you and each other.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, July 6th

Good Morning, God

Today we give you thanks for all of our water managers who have been making the headlines, especially this past week.  We may not always like what they say, but we definitely appreciate what they are doing.

We probably don’t like it when they tell us we can’t water our lawns and gardens, and we start to lose our green carpet and our fresh vegetables to the hot, dry days.  But, we think differently when we can turn on the tap and still get cool, refreshing, safe water to cook with and drink!  We are grateful that we can turn on the faucet and still get water for our bath or shower.  So, what if our car gets a bit dirtier before it gets its bath?  At least we are cool and clean!

Heavenly Father, look with favor on your people and send your cooling and refreshing rain.  All of us will appreciate it so much, but especially will those whose job it is to make sure the rest of us have enough to drink!  Thank you in advance for sending us rain, Lord.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, July 4th

Good Morning, God,
Lord, your word says very boldly, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lordl" For thousands of years the nation of Israel has found your favor, for you claimed them with your everlasting covenants. But, you also have made promises that any nation can be great when its citizens worship you and you only.
We have always considered these United States of America a greatly blessed nation, for we have believed that we are "OneNation Under God." We sing "God Bless America" and "My Country 'Tis of Thee."
Lord, much of our patriotism includes you, if not being dependent on you. Sometimes it seems, though, that we are off-track. But you have also given us a solution to this. Your word says, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray and seek my fac,e and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
Lord God, we turn to you this day, repenting of our sins and asking you to heal our land and restore us to your Godly greatness.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Healdines for Monday, July 2nd

Good Morning, God,
Holy God, in the wake of the headlines of fires that devour and consume, refresh us with the water of life.
Creator God, in the burned places of ash and dust, and the dry places of brown crinkly grass, wilted tomato leaves and small, sour berries, restore us with the water of life.
When all we can see is devastation, despair, and the great prospect of more of the same, renew us with the water of life.
When those whose jobs are to protect the property of others are tired and weary, and those who see their own property burned up by fire or just the hot, dry weather and lack of rain, O Lord, renew them with the waters of life.
Help us to have hope and then know for each day that in Christ springs the fountsins of life, that in Jesus we drink from the wellspring of hope, and that with his strength we can dance in the fountains of life.
Lord, renew our hope with the refreshment of rain and the dousing of flame.
In Jesus' name, Amen.