A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, November 29th

Good Morning, God,

Gracious God, our heavenly father, we thank you for the blessed opportunities you have given us to make these headline prayers for these past several years. We know that they have been your words, spoken through our voice and over the airwaves to bring to your people a message from you about the things we face each day. Lord, at times it has been hard to make the prayers you have wanted, as the headlines were very sad to us at other times, it has been easy to lift up the prayers, as the headlines were about joyful things to us.

But, Lord, no matter what the mood of the headlines has been, you have always provided the prayer we needed to hear to sense your presence in our lives. Lord, help us to know, even without these prayers, that you are always in our lives, and if you give us the inspiration, we can make our own "prayers for the headlines," no matter the headlines, each day through eternity.

Thank you, Lord God, for the "Prayers for the Headlines."

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, November 27th

Good Morning, God,

Lord, as we begin to really look forward to tomorrow, let us consider the things for which we ought to be thankful.

We are thankful that we have the results of your creative genius, Lord. Even as the landscape turns brown around us, it takes on its own beauty. There are fields of new green where the farmers are using conservation methods to help your creation. The sky lights seem to shine brighter and crispe;r the air is fresher.

We are thankful for our health and strengthen and daily food-and we give you the thanks, loving God. You made us and sustain us and guide our lives.

We are always thankful for the opportunities to be with friends, family and loved ones, especially tomorrow, Lord. It is good that you set us on earth to have relationships that bring joy to our hearts.

Thank you, God, for the gift of Thanksgiving.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, November 25th

Good Morning, God,

The headlines are out of the international scene today. One headline says, "It's a deal." A "deal" has been struck between Iran and six world powers, including the United States. Under the deal, Iran promises to limit its nuclear activities in return for the other world powers to ease the sanctions that have been imposed on Iran. Iran has said that they weren't enriching uranium for weapons; others have said they were.

Now, there is this a six-month deal while a more formal deal was worked out. Everyone seems pretty pleased with themselves, Lord. Everyone seems proud of the negotiated "deal."

Lord, in most cases, a person's word is their "bond." We learn this from you: "let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no"." However, if we don't read your word nor follow your teachings, a person's word may not be considered to be worth anything at all.

So, we pray this day that everyone's words in this important international matter can be trusted.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, November 22nd

Good Morning, God,

Lord, we have heard fou

In Jesus's name, and.r words we don't ever want to hear in the headlines: "They Dropped the Bomb."

Fortunately, this doesn't refer to dropping a nuclear bomb from a plane over an enemy. Unfortunately, it does apply to a sacrosanct rule of debate and takes away the ability to block votes in the United States Senate. With the dropping of the bomb, now filibusters can be stopped with only a simple majority, rather than a two-thirds vote.

Lord, we have a great deal of rancor among those who are making decisions for us in Washington these days. Discourse is put-one, friendships are strained, decisions are made for political reasons and not often for what is best for we, the American people.

Lord, before any more people get hurt because of the many decisions that are being made, intervene in the United States government, the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches, all three.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, November 18th

Good Morning, God,

Lord, you have heard this prayer many times before coming from sports teams that come from the YMCA's: "When or lose I pledge before God to play the game as well as I know how; to be to obey the rules; and to be a good sport at all times. Amen." We are grateful for this kind of attitude when we play any sport, or in fact, live the sport of life.

Although they weren't YMCA games on Friday night, the Jasper and Southridge football games were games that were played with the attitude of the YMCA games. Both Jasper and Southridge lost, Lord, but the players on both teams played the games as well as they knew how. They obeyed the rules-there was only one penalty in the Jasper game. They they were good sports at all times-they didn't cheat, there wasn't any extra-curricular activity on the field between players, and when the game was over they shook hands.

Lord, thank you for players who play fair and obey the rules and are good sports-and hold their heads up high,win or lose.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, November 15th

Good Morning, God,

The headline was about a new woodcarving that sits in Jasper on eighth street. It seems that one of your old trees, a 100-year-old, 5- inch pin oak blew over in one of your storms, God. Now, a wood carver has fashioned a beautiful statue of one of your saints, Francis of Assisi. We appreciate St. Francis for his kindness to all of your creatures, loving God, as it is important that we always try to respect all life, human, plant and animal, with the lives we lead.

We do thank you, Loving Father, for your creative genius in making life and putting us in the midst of it. We thank you for the ability to be kind to all things, but especially to each other.

So today, Lord, may we take stock of ourselves and ask ourselves if we can be better caretakers of nature, of the environment, but especially of each other. We are made in your image, God, and it would be sinful to harm any likenesses of you!

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, November 11th

Good Morning, God,

It's been a tough weekend for the Philippines, Lord. One of your huge hurricanes hit that island on Thursday, Lord, causing a huge amount of damage and many deaths. Lord, many people were evacuated to safe areas, but with the storm that strong with the winds and rains, persons can run but not hide! So, this morning, we pray for safety and peace, mercy and strength, for the people of the Philippines. Lend them your grace during this time of recovery.

Lord, during times of devastation-whether naturally caused, or the result of human action-we remember your words from the 69th Psalm and we plead them now:

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep water, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God. But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love, answer me. With your faithful help rescue me from sinking in the mire; do not let the floods sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the pit close its mouth over me… I will praise the name of the Lord.

In Jesus's name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, November 8th

Good Morning, God,

The news was relatively local at first, but then made the national headlines: Timothy Bowers, a 32-year-old man, fell from a deer stand, became paralyzed and was put on life support, to be one life support the rest of his life. When asked what he wanted, he chose to be taken off the life support, and he died. Mr. Bowers left behind his wife of three months, who was pregnant with their first child.

It is said that "He had such a strong faith that it didn't surprise that he made the decision. He was ready to go to heaven; he was ready for God." Heavenly Father, we trust that you have received Timothy into your heaven. We ask your blessing on those left behind.

We also ask that we be given the strength, desire and wisdom to contemplate what we want our death to be like, and whether or not we would choose to forgo life support for the rest of our earthly existence for an early entrance into heaven with you.

Gracious God, may we live as those who do not fear death and dying. May we live as those who love life, but as one who also looks forward to eternal life with you through faith in Jesus Christ.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, November 6th

Good Morning, God,

Lord, you didn't create us to always receive bad news, sometimes heart-rending news, sometimes news of crimes and how many were hurt and/or killed. No, Lord, in your creative genius, you made us to also receive good news, news of people, especially young people, making beautiful music and designs on a football field through marching bands.

Today, we thank you for this good which has shown through, especially through the Forest Park and the Jasper bands. We thank you that they have had the stamina and work ethic, the talent and understanding to take their performances all the way to the state competitions. And, we rejoice with them that they brought back high finishes. Out of all the bands in the state, Forest Park is number one and Jasper is number four.

Lord, this is cause for Thanksgiving-for the gift of music you give and the use of the gift by our teenagers! Thank you, God.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, November 3rd

Good Morning, God,

The headlines are about those who have suddenly lost their lives: A Transportation Safety Administration agent; and assistant football coach; a person caught up in a traffic accident; a person coming off the field of a football game who just crumpled and died.

None of these people had planned to die suddenly; perhaps none of these people had made any preparation as to what would happen if they died.

Yet, Lord, you tell us in your word to live our lives ready to die. You tell us that when we have accepted your love in your son Jesus that whether we live or die, we "are the Lords;" we are yours.

Lord of the living and the dead, may we this day have the sense of peace that comes from knowing your love through our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior-in case we live or die today!

In Jesus' name, Amen

A Prayer for the Headlines for Friday, November 1st

Good Morning, God,

The question was asked the other day, "Are Dubois County Residents with German Roots, Especially Young People, Losing Interest in Their Heritage? Some People Think So." The news went on to show and tell about our German heritage in Dubois County.

Gracious God, indeed you have made us to value from where we have come. We may say that all of us are related, even if we have to go all the way back to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden!

Unfortunately, we may be losing interest in our heritage, because to celebrate our heritage means to set ourselves apart from those who aren't like us. Then to its worst, this can lead to serious discrimination.

But, Lord, may we celebrate the history, the background, the "heritage" of each person, rejoicing in the best and forgiving the worst and enjoying the variety that each person brings to our lives.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, October 30th

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.