Praying with Walter Brueggemann – Circled by Mercy

We all know about being entitled
and then growing careless

We all know about self-indulgence,
even amid work to be done.

We all know about being – for a moment -
beyond Torah requirement and
outside of your world of command

We know about seasons of life not given over to us
and grief at being failed selves

We also know that you circle back among us
in harshness and in mercy
in rigor and in generosity

Now our world has gone careless and
self-indulgent and
beyond Torah.

So circle back, we pray – one more time,
among us with your mercy,
our only source of comfort,
for we belong to you in your faithfulness.

From Prayers for a Privileged People

Christology

2 Responses to Praying with Walter Brueggemann – Circled by Mercy

1. Kevin says:

   March 27, 2011 at 4:39 am

   Amen. Where did WB write this? Is it from a collection?

   Reply
2. JR Woodward says:

   March 27, 2011 at 9:40 am

   Kevin,

   I have a link to the book at the very bottom. Did you see that? It is from Prayers for a Privileged People. I think you can go to that link and read the preface for some more details. Enjoy.

   Reply