Good Morning, God.
Lord, now the voice of a duck was fired for what he said. Yes, the comedian who provided the voice for the Aflac duck was fired for "tweeting" bad jokes about the disaster in Japan. The company, the people in Japan, and most of the world isn't ready for jokes about this really serious situation.
But this was not an isolated incident, Lord. Government spokespersons are losing their jobs because of off-hand comments caught on cell-phone videos and posted to the World Wide Web. Office workers, teachers, public employees are getting in trouble for using their thumbs on their I-Phones and I-Pads to express themselves. Things that might be said privately are now being put into print for all to see.
Heavenly Father, we do need appropriate places to express ourselves. We also need to be a bit more think-skinned about comments. But, as we always have been taught: "Is it true; is it fair to all concerned; will it build goodwill and better friendships; and, will it be beneficial to all concerned?" (The Motto of Rotary International).
When we can answer these questions with "yes," then we can say it or tweet it or post it to the Web!
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110316
A Prayer for the Headlines for Wednesday, March 16
Good Morning, God,
Lord, as the challenges to life, health and daily food mount up for the people of Japan, we ask for your Light to shine in their hearts, your Goodness to deliver them from evil, your Power to be their support, your Wisdom to overcome any ignorance, your Pity to have mercy on them, and that they with their hearts and minds and strength may seek your face and know your love.
And, Lord, for us here with our daily, mostly mundane, concerns, "Make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, let us pardon, where there is doubt, give us faith; where there is despair, give us hope; where there is darkness, give us light; and where there is sadness, give us joy.
O Divine Master, grant that we may not seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive and in pardoning that we are pardoned." May we live by these words today and every day.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
Lord, as the challenges to life, health and daily food mount up for the people of Japan, we ask for your Light to shine in their hearts, your Goodness to deliver them from evil, your Power to be their support, your Wisdom to overcome any ignorance, your Pity to have mercy on them, and that they with their hearts and minds and strength may seek your face and know your love.
And, Lord, for us here with our daily, mostly mundane, concerns, "Make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, let us pardon, where there is doubt, give us faith; where there is despair, give us hope; where there is darkness, give us light; and where there is sadness, give us joy.
O Divine Master, grant that we may not seek so much to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive and in pardoning that we are pardoned." May we live by these words today and every day.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110314
A Prayer for the Headlines for Monday, March 14
Good Morning, God,
We pray this day and every day into the foreseeable future for the people of Japan. Lord, what a horrible mess! Do we dare blame you for it, Creator God? Do we dare ask you why? Do we dare say, "Thank goodness it was them and not us?" Lord, we can ask anything because of the feelings you have given us, but the truth remains that we now should pray for what is needed in the future.
So, Lord, strengthen the resolve of the people of Japan - the government officials, the rescue personnel, the families and individuals. Control your nature so that after-shocks cease and the waters recede and the sun shines full every day. Protect those near the nuclear reactors and those who have to work on them. And, may the political borders of our world be non-existent so that many nations and people will lend aid and a hand.
Thank you, too, Lord, that the effects of the resulting tsunami were not as bad for us as they could have been. Continue to be with all who call upon your name this day and always.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
We pray this day and every day into the foreseeable future for the people of Japan. Lord, what a horrible mess! Do we dare blame you for it, Creator God? Do we dare ask you why? Do we dare say, "Thank goodness it was them and not us?" Lord, we can ask anything because of the feelings you have given us, but the truth remains that we now should pray for what is needed in the future.
So, Lord, strengthen the resolve of the people of Japan - the government officials, the rescue personnel, the families and individuals. Control your nature so that after-shocks cease and the waters recede and the sun shines full every day. Protect those near the nuclear reactors and those who have to work on them. And, may the political borders of our world be non-existent so that many nations and people will lend aid and a hand.
Thank you, too, Lord, that the effects of the resulting tsunami were not as bad for us as they could have been. Continue to be with all who call upon your name this day and always.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
20110311
Prayers for the Headlines, Friday, March 11, 2011
Good Morning, God
Lord, could it happen here? We've been seeing it happen on the other side of the world over the past few months now - the small groups of citizens dis-satisfied with the way their government is running their country and lives, turning into large protests and civil disobedience. We've also seen that, somehow, these uprisings in many places have not been met with violence but with acquiescence, and the government has changed. Lord, we still await the results of the protests in many places, and the question remains, could it happen in the United States of America?
We've seen pretty serious protest over the years: War protests, protests against segregation, protests against brutality, protest against budgets and the perceived loss of power the budgets would bring. We've also seen over the years, marches in towns, cities, states and our nation, especially our nation's capitol, that have been dedicated to you, Lord. Men, especially, have gotten together to pray, read the Bible, sing spiritual songs and hear speakers encourage men to be the best man of God each one can be.
Lord, let this prayer be a call-out to the men of this area to be a Godly man in all things. And, may we see a noticeable, Godly difference from here to around the world.
In Jesus name, Amen
Lord, could it happen here? We've been seeing it happen on the other side of the world over the past few months now - the small groups of citizens dis-satisfied with the way their government is running their country and lives, turning into large protests and civil disobedience. We've also seen that, somehow, these uprisings in many places have not been met with violence but with acquiescence, and the government has changed. Lord, we still await the results of the protests in many places, and the question remains, could it happen in the United States of America?
We've seen pretty serious protest over the years: War protests, protests against segregation, protests against brutality, protest against budgets and the perceived loss of power the budgets would bring. We've also seen over the years, marches in towns, cities, states and our nation, especially our nation's capitol, that have been dedicated to you, Lord. Men, especially, have gotten together to pray, read the Bible, sing spiritual songs and hear speakers encourage men to be the best man of God each one can be.
Lord, let this prayer be a call-out to the men of this area to be a Godly man in all things. And, may we see a noticeable, Godly difference from here to around the world.
In Jesus name, Amen
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