Dream Awakener

Violence!
Originally uploaded by Rickydavid

God’s Gift in the Midst of Violence
Reflection on Jeremiah 20:10

The world trembles out of control.
The violence builds,
some by terrorism,
dressed up as policy,
violence on every side.

You, in the midst of the out-of-control violence.
We confess you steadfast, loyal, reliable,
but we wonder if you yourself are engaged in brutality.
We confess you to be governor and ruler,
but we wonder if you manage.

We in the midst of out-of-control violence,
we in great faith,
we in deep vocational call,
we in our several anxieties.
We – alongside you- in the trembling.

This day we pray for freedom to move
beyond fear to caring,
beyond self to neighbor,
beyond protection to growth.

That we may be a sign of steadfastness,
that anxiety may not win the day.

You are the one who said, “Do not be anxious.”
And now we submit to you.

From Prayers for a Privileged People (77)