Good Morning, God,
Lord, really, it was a slow news week. A lot of the headlines dealt with our inhumanity toward each other: murder, mayhem, nude pictures being sent by a teacher, child rape and abuse, and accusations of racial discriminations, still, in this day and age when by now we really ought to be color-blind.
A lot of these stories made the headlines because the government had really only one story going on: the mess up rolling out the computer software for signing up for Obama care. This, in itself, is really old news, though.
However, the new news is about the company and party who wrote the main software. Turns out, it was a company where a classmate of Michelle Obama was an important vice-president, and it was created on a no-bid contract.
Lord, we pray that our government will do its best to be transparent and circumspect of any and all its dealings. We must be able to trust those who govern us! May it be so.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131029
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, October 28th
Good Morning, God,
The headlines are from the world of sports today, specifically the World Series, game three, on Saturday night. It is said that the game was won on a "walk-off" when a runner crossed home plate in the bottom of the night. The thing is, God, he crossed home plate because the umpire had sent him home, after he had been "obstructed" at third base. It seems that after the third baseman had dived for a grounder, the runner tripped over him, thus being obstructed, thus being awarded home plate.
Lord, after the controversy surrounding the call, the ruling was correct and handled correctly. Let's move on now, and play the next game.
The thing is, often, no matter whether something in our lives is right or wrong, we don't want to move on-we want to keep bringing the issue up, keep arguing even that the rules are stupid, keep trying to say that the offense wasn't meant and should be excused.
Heavenly Father, may we seek to understand the rules and live by them, especially yours.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines are from the world of sports today, specifically the World Series, game three, on Saturday night. It is said that the game was won on a "walk-off" when a runner crossed home plate in the bottom of the night. The thing is, God, he crossed home plate because the umpire had sent him home, after he had been "obstructed" at third base. It seems that after the third baseman had dived for a grounder, the runner tripped over him, thus being obstructed, thus being awarded home plate.
Lord, after the controversy surrounding the call, the ruling was correct and handled correctly. Let's move on now, and play the next game.
The thing is, often, no matter whether something in our lives is right or wrong, we don't want to move on-we want to keep bringing the issue up, keep arguing even that the rules are stupid, keep trying to say that the offense wasn't meant and should be excused.
Heavenly Father, may we seek to understand the rules and live by them, especially yours.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131025
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, October 25th
Good Morning, God,
Lord, we give thanks for the positive news we can report, for the news of people in trouble doing something worthwhile.
Such is the case of some of the offenders at the county jail. Seems that part of their rehabilitation is including working on and in the garden plot, growing vegetables for the food bank and other places.
Lord God, when we can see the garden, when we can see the faces, when we can see the produce, and we can see the pride, then we know that the decent parts of human beings are coming out.
Creator God, inside every human being a battle is being fought, a battle between good and evil. When evil wins, people land in jail. When good triumphs, people grow gardens.
Thank you, Father, for the good in people. May good always shine on our faces.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, we give thanks for the positive news we can report, for the news of people in trouble doing something worthwhile.
Such is the case of some of the offenders at the county jail. Seems that part of their rehabilitation is including working on and in the garden plot, growing vegetables for the food bank and other places.
Lord God, when we can see the garden, when we can see the faces, when we can see the produce, and we can see the pride, then we know that the decent parts of human beings are coming out.
Creator God, inside every human being a battle is being fought, a battle between good and evil. When evil wins, people land in jail. When good triumphs, people grow gardens.
Thank you, Father, for the good in people. May good always shine on our faces.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131024
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, October 23rd
Good Morning, God,
The headlines have spoken of how, with the shutdown over, "happy routines" return. Included in these happy routines are visits to National Parks and Monuments, offices back in buildings where they belong, environmental and engineering folks taking care of the natural things in life, and schoolchildren being able to take their full trip to Washington, DC, and surrounding national landmarks.
Ah, the "happy routines"; normalcy: commerce, community, and caring.
But, Lord, is this what our lives together is all about-everyone going along happy in their routines? We know that many of us weren't unhappy that our democracy was on the line during the shutdown; many of us were unhappy because our own routines were shut down.
Gracious God, may we all take a look at our happy routines and see if, just perhaps, we ought to re-consider our priorities.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines have spoken of how, with the shutdown over, "happy routines" return. Included in these happy routines are visits to National Parks and Monuments, offices back in buildings where they belong, environmental and engineering folks taking care of the natural things in life, and schoolchildren being able to take their full trip to Washington, DC, and surrounding national landmarks.
Ah, the "happy routines"; normalcy: commerce, community, and caring.
But, Lord, is this what our lives together is all about-everyone going along happy in their routines? We know that many of us weren't unhappy that our democracy was on the line during the shutdown; many of us were unhappy because our own routines were shut down.
Gracious God, may we all take a look at our happy routines and see if, just perhaps, we ought to re-consider our priorities.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131021
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, October 21st
Good Morning, God,
Lord, tonight is a big party that ought to make the headlines tomorrow. It is a night that honors you, God. It is the night of the annual Young Life and Wild Life banquet. It is a catered affair, served by the Junior and Senior high youth who participate in Young Life. And, who may participate in Young Life and Wild Life? Any junior and senior high youth who wants to come closer to you, God, and have good friends who are also close to you.
Lord, you know the value of Young Life and Wild Life You know the many times a youth needs a good listing here. You unfortunately know the times when a young person thinks that life is not worth living and need someone to bring you close to them to give them worse. You know the times, Lord, when the Young Life and Wild Life peer groups are important groups for turning a person's life around, bringing them into a personal relationship with you, and giving them hope, joy, and a better future because of faith.
Lord, bless the Young LIfe banquet tonight and may Young Life and Wild Life continue saving lives for you.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, tonight is a big party that ought to make the headlines tomorrow. It is a night that honors you, God. It is the night of the annual Young Life and Wild Life banquet. It is a catered affair, served by the Junior and Senior high youth who participate in Young Life. And, who may participate in Young Life and Wild Life? Any junior and senior high youth who wants to come closer to you, God, and have good friends who are also close to you.
Lord, you know the value of Young Life and Wild Life You know the many times a youth needs a good listing here. You unfortunately know the times when a young person thinks that life is not worth living and need someone to bring you close to them to give them worse. You know the times, Lord, when the Young Life and Wild Life peer groups are important groups for turning a person's life around, bringing them into a personal relationship with you, and giving them hope, joy, and a better future because of faith.
Lord, bless the Young LIfe banquet tonight and may Young Life and Wild Life continue saving lives for you.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131018
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, October 18th
Good Morning, God,
We want to thank you this day for all the headlines involving the extra-curricular activities for our young people and their parents and friends. We are so encouraged when the stories tell about the team's efforts, the winning and losing, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
We give thanks for the patience of the coaches and directors. We are grateful for the individual skills learned and the team efforts put forth. We admire the discipline and perseverance learned and practiced, and the beauty of a sport well-played or a piece of marching band music that paints a beautiful picture. We give thanks that the wins don't come easy, that the gold ratings aren't automatic-they come the old-fashioned way-they have to be earned.
God, who created our bodies so we can play sports and music, we are thankful for the gifts and skills for both
In Jesus' name, Amen.
We want to thank you this day for all the headlines involving the extra-curricular activities for our young people and their parents and friends. We are so encouraged when the stories tell about the team's efforts, the winning and losing, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.
We give thanks for the patience of the coaches and directors. We are grateful for the individual skills learned and the team efforts put forth. We admire the discipline and perseverance learned and practiced, and the beauty of a sport well-played or a piece of marching band music that paints a beautiful picture. We give thanks that the wins don't come easy, that the gold ratings aren't automatic-they come the old-fashioned way-they have to be earned.
God, who created our bodies so we can play sports and music, we are thankful for the gifts and skills for both
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131016
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, October 16th
Good Morning, God,
Lord, thank you that our lives are more than bumper stickers! When we drive on our streets and highways and see what are on the backs of the vehicles in front of us, thank you that our lives are much richer, much fuller, much lovelier than a short, pithy slogan.
What do you like to see on a bumper sticker, Lord, when you are behind a vehicle? Do you like to see the fish symbol, the indication that the occupants are Christian? Do you wonder about the fish symbol that has sprouted legs to indicate that the occupants believe in evolution? Do you like the stickers that indicate the number of members of the family, including pets? Do you like the sticker that says that you are the drivers copilot, or would you rather see the one that says, "If God is your copilot, move over"?
Lord, bumper stickers are as good as headlines. Both fortunately and unfortunately, they speak of who we are and what we value. May we only stick stickers that please you, God.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, thank you that our lives are more than bumper stickers! When we drive on our streets and highways and see what are on the backs of the vehicles in front of us, thank you that our lives are much richer, much fuller, much lovelier than a short, pithy slogan.
What do you like to see on a bumper sticker, Lord, when you are behind a vehicle? Do you like to see the fish symbol, the indication that the occupants are Christian? Do you wonder about the fish symbol that has sprouted legs to indicate that the occupants believe in evolution? Do you like the stickers that indicate the number of members of the family, including pets? Do you like the sticker that says that you are the drivers copilot, or would you rather see the one that says, "If God is your copilot, move over"?
Lord, bumper stickers are as good as headlines. Both fortunately and unfortunately, they speak of who we are and what we value. May we only stick stickers that please you, God.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131014
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, October 14th
Good Morning, God,
The headlines are out of the world of sports today, Lord.
Teams have been upset, and this causes people to be upset. Indiana upset Penn
State a few weeks back. Texas upset Oklahoma Saturday. Penn State upset
Michigan. Missouri upset Georgia. LSU upset Florida. Utah upset Stanford. Lord,
what's with all of these upsets?
Of course, Lord, we can't attribute any of this to you and
your blessing or not blessing a team. You really don't favor one team over
another. You give the players, their bodies, their health, and their minds.
Then, through patient coaching, the encouragement of parents and fans, and the
sheer will to do well, the gifts and skills of the players are used to play the
games.
Lord, grant that each of us use the bodies you have given us
to play the great game of life well. May we know that we will be victorious at the end because we
have played our best for our life coach named Jesus Christ. May we know that
this victory is not a surprise or an upset to anyone, but an assured victory
because of our belief in Coach Jesus.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131011
A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, October 11th
Good Morning, God,
Lord, somewhere inside each one of us is the desire to help other people. It may come through a young man, himself often put down and down and out, helping others so that they can survive just a little bit longer and get a leg up.
The desire to help others may come through those who volunteer in community not-for-profit organizations, for example, the crisis connection, the YMCA, the local food banks, our local churches and schools.
Another place that people are helping out as volunteers is our hospital, where the motto is "Be for Others." Headed up the last few years by the same person, the number of volunteers has doubled.
What a gift-the unselfish gift of self in a place where even the smallest gift may mean the difference between a positive and negative outcome.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift that volunteers give to our hospital, "Being for Others."
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, somewhere inside each one of us is the desire to help other people. It may come through a young man, himself often put down and down and out, helping others so that they can survive just a little bit longer and get a leg up.
The desire to help others may come through those who volunteer in community not-for-profit organizations, for example, the crisis connection, the YMCA, the local food banks, our local churches and schools.
Another place that people are helping out as volunteers is our hospital, where the motto is "Be for Others." Headed up the last few years by the same person, the number of volunteers has doubled.
What a gift-the unselfish gift of self in a place where even the smallest gift may mean the difference between a positive and negative outcome.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift that volunteers give to our hospital, "Being for Others."
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131010
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, October 9th
Good Morning, God,
The headlines have been about the serious standoff situation in Hayesville last Saturday morning. Guns were involved. SWAT was called in. A command post was set up. A robot was deployed. The house was stormed. The suspect was taken into custody without gunfire. All ended as well as it could; as well as law enforcement could have hoped for, as they had trained for.
Heavenly father, we thank you for the wisdom and cool heads of our law enforcement people. Thank you for their constant physical training and psychological understanding. Continue to keep them safe as they face dangerous situations.
Gracious God, look with compassion upon the person causing all the commotion. May he come to know the whys and wherefores of his actions. May he get any help he needs to be healed from it. And, may he give the law enforcement thanks for his life.
Thank you, God, for the way this one turned out.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines have been about the serious standoff situation in Hayesville last Saturday morning. Guns were involved. SWAT was called in. A command post was set up. A robot was deployed. The house was stormed. The suspect was taken into custody without gunfire. All ended as well as it could; as well as law enforcement could have hoped for, as they had trained for.
Heavenly father, we thank you for the wisdom and cool heads of our law enforcement people. Thank you for their constant physical training and psychological understanding. Continue to keep them safe as they face dangerous situations.
Gracious God, look with compassion upon the person causing all the commotion. May he come to know the whys and wherefores of his actions. May he get any help he needs to be healed from it. And, may he give the law enforcement thanks for his life.
Thank you, God, for the way this one turned out.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131007
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, September 7th
Good Morning, God,
The headlines spoke about the right way to argue about religion. They came with those little word bubbles saying things like, "God must love stupid," "Who are you even talking to, you stupid moron?" and "Your beliefs are evil."
The story is about "Holy Trollers," folks who follow a particular blog online and comment, one after another, about religion. The article speaks of those who can come across as "The Streetcorner Prophet," "The Provoker," "The Atheist," "The Scholar,""The Peacemaker."
The Streetcorner Prophet predicts gloom and gloom and going to hell. The Provoker loves to preach about the stupidity of religion. The Atheist says there is no such thing as you, God. The Scholar has the biblical proofs for everything biblical, including all the symbolism in your book of Revelation. The Peacemaker is content to not argue any points even when the points disagree with the Peacemaker's view.
Lord God, you knew that this is the way faith would be, yet you left the book open for it. Perhaps we need all five of these characters to make faith real and our minds. But, Lord, we ought to echo the words of Scripture: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." May it be so.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
The headlines spoke about the right way to argue about religion. They came with those little word bubbles saying things like, "God must love stupid," "Who are you even talking to, you stupid moron?" and "Your beliefs are evil."
The story is about "Holy Trollers," folks who follow a particular blog online and comment, one after another, about religion. The article speaks of those who can come across as "The Streetcorner Prophet," "The Provoker," "The Atheist," "The Scholar,""The Peacemaker."
The Streetcorner Prophet predicts gloom and gloom and going to hell. The Provoker loves to preach about the stupidity of religion. The Atheist says there is no such thing as you, God. The Scholar has the biblical proofs for everything biblical, including all the symbolism in your book of Revelation. The Peacemaker is content to not argue any points even when the points disagree with the Peacemaker's view.
Lord God, you knew that this is the way faith would be, yet you left the book open for it. Perhaps we need all five of these characters to make faith real and our minds. But, Lord, we ought to echo the words of Scripture: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." May it be so.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20131004
Prayers for the Headlines for Friday, October 3rd
Good Morning, God,
Lord God, protect us from ourselves! Give us more patience, more wisdom, more care in these very trying times.
Comfort the distraught. Bring intelligence, understanding and compromise to our leaders. Protect the least of us, the lost among us and the lonely who are without us.
Gracious God, the headlines speak yesterday and today of the wild incident involving a woman driving a car around the capital area in Washington, D. C. The police responded immediately; debate in Congress was halted; Capitol Hill was locked down, and as one reaped representative stated, "The timing on this was really kind of scary. Capitol Hill police are at a lower personnel level because of the shutdown."
Lord, we should not have to use a "scary situation" to get the job done! But, the whole situation is scary: layoffs, closed government and non-government offices, angry people, and a populace that is weary of the stalemate.
Help us, loving God!
In Jesus's name, Amen.
Lord God, protect us from ourselves! Give us more patience, more wisdom, more care in these very trying times.
Comfort the distraught. Bring intelligence, understanding and compromise to our leaders. Protect the least of us, the lost among us and the lonely who are without us.
Gracious God, the headlines speak yesterday and today of the wild incident involving a woman driving a car around the capital area in Washington, D. C. The police responded immediately; debate in Congress was halted; Capitol Hill was locked down, and as one reaped representative stated, "The timing on this was really kind of scary. Capitol Hill police are at a lower personnel level because of the shutdown."
Lord, we should not have to use a "scary situation" to get the job done! But, the whole situation is scary: layoffs, closed government and non-government offices, angry people, and a populace that is weary of the stalemate.
Help us, loving God!
In Jesus's name, Amen.
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