Good Morning, God, God, we often get a secret pleasure from the Police Blotter Report. We actually get enjoyment from the headlines that tell us of someone who had allegedly broken the law and who is now in the local hoosegow: "bout time they were stopped"; "his parents weren't any good, either"; "hope they put her away for a long time"; "glad he is off the street."
We talk like this at our coffee klatches around town, around the county - until it is one of our own family members or the family member of our closest friends. Then our words change: "must be a mistake"; he'll get off with a slap on the wrist"; she has to get out; she has young children"; and so forth.
Heavenly Father, from whom comes all moral guidance, may we learn right from wrong from our parents, our teachers, and our ministers. May we put into practice all the ways to be "good" and may we soundly reject all that is "bad." And, may we pray for and with those in jail and their family, that what is right will come home to them and that they will live moral and happy lives.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20121128
a Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, November 28th
Good Morning, God,
What refreshing headlines, for a change, God! For once, it is said that folks around here "behaved responsibly" over the long Thanksgiving weekend and didn't "drink and drive." The law officers didn't have very much to do; they had an easier time of it. More importantly, people weren't hurt or killed because of a bonehead decision!
God, from time immemorial, we humans have enjoyed the "fruit of the vine," either in alcoholic form or in some drug forms. In fact, your word in a Psalm says that you gave us wine to, "gladden the heart." A missionary advised a young minister to "drink a little wine for your stomach." Even some health gurus these days advise having a glass of red wine even each day, for the true medicinal benefits.
Lord God, like everything else in life, wine or beer or other spirits can add to the enjoyment of life. Help us to not push the limits, however, when enough is enough or any at all is too much.
May we always be as responsible as we were this Thanksgiving.
IN Jesus's name, Amen.
What refreshing headlines, for a change, God! For once, it is said that folks around here "behaved responsibly" over the long Thanksgiving weekend and didn't "drink and drive." The law officers didn't have very much to do; they had an easier time of it. More importantly, people weren't hurt or killed because of a bonehead decision!
God, from time immemorial, we humans have enjoyed the "fruit of the vine," either in alcoholic form or in some drug forms. In fact, your word in a Psalm says that you gave us wine to, "gladden the heart." A missionary advised a young minister to "drink a little wine for your stomach." Even some health gurus these days advise having a glass of red wine even each day, for the true medicinal benefits.
Lord God, like everything else in life, wine or beer or other spirits can add to the enjoyment of life. Help us to not push the limits, however, when enough is enough or any at all is too much.
May we always be as responsible as we were this Thanksgiving.
IN Jesus's name, Amen.
20121126
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, November 26th
Good Morning, God,
Lord, in the language of Hebrew, your Jewish nation has recently resurrected an ancient biblical image. During the intense shelling between the Israelis and the Palestinians, the Israelis named the operation as "Operation Pillar of Cloud," and reminded us of when the nation of Israel was led out of Egypt to the desert to wander for a long time before entering the Promised Land.
Your Word tells us, Lord, that the Pillar went before the nation during the day to guide them and stood guard behind them to protect them at night. The idea of the Pillar of Cloud is to have God's protection in all ways - physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Lord God of Hosts, whose purpose is never swerving, lead us in our daily tasks through the deserts of our lives. When darkness falls at night or when the sun goes dim during the day, protect our hearts, minds and backsides from any and all attackers. And, Lord, may we always see your cross as our pillar of strength, faith, hope and love.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, in the language of Hebrew, your Jewish nation has recently resurrected an ancient biblical image. During the intense shelling between the Israelis and the Palestinians, the Israelis named the operation as "Operation Pillar of Cloud," and reminded us of when the nation of Israel was led out of Egypt to the desert to wander for a long time before entering the Promised Land.
Your Word tells us, Lord, that the Pillar went before the nation during the day to guide them and stood guard behind them to protect them at night. The idea of the Pillar of Cloud is to have God's protection in all ways - physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Lord God of Hosts, whose purpose is never swerving, lead us in our daily tasks through the deserts of our lives. When darkness falls at night or when the sun goes dim during the day, protect our hearts, minds and backsides from any and all attackers. And, Lord, may we always see your cross as our pillar of strength, faith, hope and love.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20121123
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, November 23rd
Good Morning, God,
Ah, Lord, we have awakened this day to "Black Friday." Quite an off-putting name for any day, but especially a day that begins the season of giving and joy and peace on earth and goodwill to all!
One has to know the retail world to understand that "Black Friday" is so named because it is the day, or begins the season, when retailers' bottom lines turn to the "black," turn to the profitable side of the ledger. The stores do this by counting on loss-leaders and the much larger-than-average sales on deeply disconted items called "door busters," as those items are often called. Sure enough, shoppers really do bust down doors and hustle and jostle to get to the prized-priced items to purchase.
No matter what we do in the retail world, though, Lord God of the Universe, help us to believe that there is no discounting your grace to us that came in the form of baby Jesus, who is the reason for the season. There is no discounting the fact of faith that your Christiams gift cost all that you had to give - the life of your Son, Jesus Christ.Thank you for your fully-priced gift - the un-discounted Jesus of our faith.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Ah, Lord, we have awakened this day to "Black Friday." Quite an off-putting name for any day, but especially a day that begins the season of giving and joy and peace on earth and goodwill to all!
One has to know the retail world to understand that "Black Friday" is so named because it is the day, or begins the season, when retailers' bottom lines turn to the "black," turn to the profitable side of the ledger. The stores do this by counting on loss-leaders and the much larger-than-average sales on deeply disconted items called "door busters," as those items are often called. Sure enough, shoppers really do bust down doors and hustle and jostle to get to the prized-priced items to purchase.
No matter what we do in the retail world, though, Lord God of the Universe, help us to believe that there is no discounting your grace to us that came in the form of baby Jesus, who is the reason for the season. There is no discounting the fact of faith that your Christiams gift cost all that you had to give - the life of your Son, Jesus Christ.Thank you for your fully-priced gift - the un-discounted Jesus of our faith.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20121121
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, November 21st
Good Morning, God,
Lord Jesus, we ask your blessing upon us today as we prepare for tomorrow.
We ask that as we travel, we be kept safe...and that we act safely ourselves.
We ask that once together with family and friends, we value each person's dignity and protect each person's pride. As much as it depends on us, may we see that a nice time be had by all.
We ask, giving and forgiving God, that we not so much just rush through our prayers before the meal, but that we take time around our tables to consider each person there and the difference they make in the family or group.
We ask that we remember to give thanks for our friends and family who have died this past year, for everything that was part of them that was good and kind and faithful...and anything else, forgive.
Finally, Lord, let us live thankful lives by being instruments of your peace, for in the end, it is in giving that we receive and it is in pardoning that we are pardoned...and it is in loving that we are loved.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord Jesus, we ask your blessing upon us today as we prepare for tomorrow.
We ask that as we travel, we be kept safe...and that we act safely ourselves.
We ask that once together with family and friends, we value each person's dignity and protect each person's pride. As much as it depends on us, may we see that a nice time be had by all.
We ask, giving and forgiving God, that we not so much just rush through our prayers before the meal, but that we take time around our tables to consider each person there and the difference they make in the family or group.
We ask that we remember to give thanks for our friends and family who have died this past year, for everything that was part of them that was good and kind and faithful...and anything else, forgive.
Finally, Lord, let us live thankful lives by being instruments of your peace, for in the end, it is in giving that we receive and it is in pardoning that we are pardoned...and it is in loving that we are loved.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20121119
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, November 19th
Good Morning, God,
We wonder which season we are in, Lord God. Oh, we know it is climatically the fall season - we've set bout clocks back, the trees have become bare and the winter wheat is showing its beautiful green in fields where it has been sown.
But, Lord, we are confused as to the holiday season we are in! Already we have has a Christmas Stroll in Huntingburg and a Christmas concert by the Celebration Singers. The Christmas decorations have been in the stores for weeks, and many folks put up their outside decorations last weekend because it was such beautifully warm weather. A major store has jumped the Black Friday gun by putting some popular items on sale starting at 4:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day.
Oh, Lord, we do have Thanksgiving this week, don't we! We almost forget it. We almost forget your admonition that in all things we are to give thanks and gratitude to you. So, Lord, may we put aside all thoughts of the Christmas season this week and especially remember to give you the thanks and praise you deserve for all of our bountiful blessings - at least until all of the turkey is eaten on Thursday!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
We wonder which season we are in, Lord God. Oh, we know it is climatically the fall season - we've set bout clocks back, the trees have become bare and the winter wheat is showing its beautiful green in fields where it has been sown.
But, Lord, we are confused as to the holiday season we are in! Already we have has a Christmas Stroll in Huntingburg and a Christmas concert by the Celebration Singers. The Christmas decorations have been in the stores for weeks, and many folks put up their outside decorations last weekend because it was such beautifully warm weather. A major store has jumped the Black Friday gun by putting some popular items on sale starting at 4:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day.
Oh, Lord, we do have Thanksgiving this week, don't we! We almost forget it. We almost forget your admonition that in all things we are to give thanks and gratitude to you. So, Lord, may we put aside all thoughts of the Christmas season this week and especially remember to give you the thanks and praise you deserve for all of our bountiful blessings - at least until all of the turkey is eaten on Thursday!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20121116
a Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, November 16th
Good Morning, God,
The mainstream media hasn't really been making headlines with this, Lord God, but places like Facebook, Twitter, coffee klatches, water coolers and bar conversations have. These conversations are already look ahead four years to 2016, and who will be seeking the presidency then. Many are wondering who the Democrats will continue their hold with; many are wondering who the Republicans can put up to get back the presidency.
All of this is a natural thing, God, but we are living "right now." A line in a movie says, "Yesterday is the past; tomorrow is the future; today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."
So, Lord, help us to live in the present. Let us be comfortable heeding your Word that instructs us not to worry about tomorrow, that you are already and always in the future as you have been in every past and as you are present each day, even day by day.
Let us look to you this day for our daily bread and daily direction.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The mainstream media hasn't really been making headlines with this, Lord God, but places like Facebook, Twitter, coffee klatches, water coolers and bar conversations have. These conversations are already look ahead four years to 2016, and who will be seeking the presidency then. Many are wondering who the Democrats will continue their hold with; many are wondering who the Republicans can put up to get back the presidency.
All of this is a natural thing, God, but we are living "right now." A line in a movie says, "Yesterday is the past; tomorrow is the future; today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."
So, Lord, help us to live in the present. Let us be comfortable heeding your Word that instructs us not to worry about tomorrow, that you are already and always in the future as you have been in every past and as you are present each day, even day by day.
Let us look to you this day for our daily bread and daily direction.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20121114
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, November 14th
Good Morning, God,
The headlines speak of something that went "boom" up in Indianapolis and turned a neighborhood into what resembles a war zone. Two houses gone, many more so damaged that they may have to be torn down, families displaced and two people dead, from a cause as yet unknown. A natural gas explosion is suspected, but the tell-tale smell of natural gas was not sniffed. Thus, it is a mystery.
Lord God, we face all sorts of mysteries in our lives, mysteries as huge as the origin of the universe, mysteries as puzzling as how each person is unique from all other persons, mysteries as problematic as how we make both the good and bad decisions with the same brain, mysteries as unprovable as what happens when we die.
Your word speaks of mysteries, Lord. Your word speaks that even if we have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if we have a faith that can even move mountains, but do not have love, we are nothing."
So, today, Lord, may we love a bit more, praying for the blast victims in Indy, and loving just a little bit more those here around us today.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines speak of something that went "boom" up in Indianapolis and turned a neighborhood into what resembles a war zone. Two houses gone, many more so damaged that they may have to be torn down, families displaced and two people dead, from a cause as yet unknown. A natural gas explosion is suspected, but the tell-tale smell of natural gas was not sniffed. Thus, it is a mystery.
Lord God, we face all sorts of mysteries in our lives, mysteries as huge as the origin of the universe, mysteries as puzzling as how each person is unique from all other persons, mysteries as problematic as how we make both the good and bad decisions with the same brain, mysteries as unprovable as what happens when we die.
Your word speaks of mysteries, Lord. Your word speaks that even if we have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if we have a faith that can even move mountains, but do not have love, we are nothing."
So, today, Lord, may we love a bit more, praying for the blast victims in Indy, and loving just a little bit more those here around us today.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20121112
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, November 12th
Good Morning, God
The headlines come from a cartoon the other day. In the one-panel Family Circus cartoon, Jeffy came from his bedroom and said, “Guess what, Mommy! You were the star of my dream last night!”
Creator God, you gave us the wonderful gift of dreams, from the warm ones where we experience the great loving people in our lives, to the ones that, honestly, leave us cold. Sometimes we wake encouraged by our dreams, sometimes we wake scared by our dreams. Sometimes we wonder why we dreamed what we did; sometimes we wonder why our dream couldn’t have lasted forever. Dreams.
You have your dreams and hopes – for us, don’t you, Lord. Your dream for us is that all of us would come to know you, love you, serve you and when our lives are over, come home to you. The beautiful thing about your dreams is that they can become very real, because we can experience them when we are awake. May we love and embrace your dreams for us, Loving Parent.
In Jesus name, Amen
The headlines come from a cartoon the other day. In the one-panel Family Circus cartoon, Jeffy came from his bedroom and said, “Guess what, Mommy! You were the star of my dream last night!”
Creator God, you gave us the wonderful gift of dreams, from the warm ones where we experience the great loving people in our lives, to the ones that, honestly, leave us cold. Sometimes we wake encouraged by our dreams, sometimes we wake scared by our dreams. Sometimes we wonder why we dreamed what we did; sometimes we wonder why our dream couldn’t have lasted forever. Dreams.
You have your dreams and hopes – for us, don’t you, Lord. Your dream for us is that all of us would come to know you, love you, serve you and when our lives are over, come home to you. The beautiful thing about your dreams is that they can become very real, because we can experience them when we are awake. May we love and embrace your dreams for us, Loving Parent.
In Jesus name, Amen
20121109
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, November 9th
Good Morning, God
OK, why not, God. Why not be having a start to the Christmas season by strolling through Huntingburg this weekend. In fact, Lord, it is a good time to have this, as it can raise our tired spirits after the grueling election season just over.
So, we ask for your blessing to be with the merchants, the performers and the strollers these several days. To quote the words of a Christmas Carol, “may our days be merry and bright”. And, to quote another carol, “Oh, we need a little Christmas; yes, we need a little Christmas".
Of course, God, we need the real season for Christmas most of all. We need the belief in Jesus Christ, your only Son and our Lord. Our Christmas Strolls and merchandise specials and our special music all need to flow from you and back to you as our response to your greatest gift to us, the Christ Child. Lord God, may we always remember the true and very real reason for this season.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
20121107
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, November 7th
Good Morning, God,
The headlines are screaming about "champions" and victories" today, Lord. some of us are celebrating; some of us are commiserating. Some of us are scared; some of us are satisfied. Some of us believe that you are still in control, God; some of us wonder where you are today.
Whichever "some of us" we are, God, we need you now more than ever. We need your Word to speak even more clearly. We need your Word to be heard even more forcefully. We need your Word to be believed even more deeply.
Gracious God, one of the things we are celebrating are the two local bands that won at state contest: Jasper and Forest Park. We pray for their continuing success and the success of the other bands around us.
We also pray for the election winners and losers, as we now as ever, have a common job to do: To help each person in his or her pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. Guide us, O God.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines are screaming about "champions" and victories" today, Lord. some of us are celebrating; some of us are commiserating. Some of us are scared; some of us are satisfied. Some of us believe that you are still in control, God; some of us wonder where you are today.
Whichever "some of us" we are, God, we need you now more than ever. We need your Word to speak even more clearly. We need your Word to be heard even more forcefully. We need your Word to be believed even more deeply.
Gracious God, one of the things we are celebrating are the two local bands that won at state contest: Jasper and Forest Park. We pray for their continuing success and the success of the other bands around us.
We also pray for the election winners and losers, as we now as ever, have a common job to do: To help each person in his or her pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. Guide us, O God.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20121105
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, November 5th
Good Morning, God
Okay, Lord, today starts our prayer vigil for the different governances in our country. Certainly, the election that tops the list for concern is the one for who will be our next President. It has been a tough campaign season, Lord, with many points and counterpoints. There has never been an election where there has been so many fact-checkers on the job. There has never been an election with so many concerns. Perhaps, even the fate of our country is in the balance.
Running a close second, Lord, are the elections of our senators and representatives. Since they are the ones who introduce, discuss and vote up or down the laws we follow, we are concerned that the ones who are elected represent our desires. The thing is, there are a lot of different desires to be represented.
The same concern can be shared with all the positions up for votes. We all have our desires and wants we’d like to see met by those we elect. Help us decide for the truly important ones.
Lord Jesus, give us great wisdom as we mark our ballots tomorrow.
In Jesus name, Amen
Okay, Lord, today starts our prayer vigil for the different governances in our country. Certainly, the election that tops the list for concern is the one for who will be our next President. It has been a tough campaign season, Lord, with many points and counterpoints. There has never been an election where there has been so many fact-checkers on the job. There has never been an election with so many concerns. Perhaps, even the fate of our country is in the balance.
Running a close second, Lord, are the elections of our senators and representatives. Since they are the ones who introduce, discuss and vote up or down the laws we follow, we are concerned that the ones who are elected represent our desires. The thing is, there are a lot of different desires to be represented.
The same concern can be shared with all the positions up for votes. We all have our desires and wants we’d like to see met by those we elect. Help us decide for the truly important ones.
Lord Jesus, give us great wisdom as we mark our ballots tomorrow.
In Jesus name, Amen
20121101
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, November 1st
Good Morning, God
The headlines on some calendars are that this is “World Community Day”. Nowhere are we seeing this illustrated and acted out as we do in the Northeast. We prayed on Wednesday for your strength and wisdom to be with all who are aiding in the recovery effort.
But, elsewhere today, Lord, there are untold numbers of men and women whose companies have set this day aside to encourage them to do something good for someone or some organization in their community.
Perhaps a team of junior high and senior high students is raking leaves from yards of senior citizens. Perhaps more people than usual are donating blood, plasma or platelets today. Perhaps a team is helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house. Perhaps teams are visiting in hospitals and retirement care and rehabilitation centers, bringing kind words, a gentle touch or cheerful programs.
Lord God, we each have about ten to twelve hours today to do something good for our community. Show us what needs to be done . . . . . and we will do it because we care.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
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