Prayer for the World

On Saturday, I posted on FB an in-progress picture of the puzzle that my mom and I are working on. It’s a difficult puzzle. I joked that it was hard work putting the world together, yet a couple of people graciously commented that the world was in good hands. One of the comments made me realize that I should turn the puzzle into a prayer puzzle—using my work-time as conscious prayer time—for those I love—and, yes, for the world.

 

Last night, as I worked on the puzzle, I focused my prayers on two things: 1) my mom, and 2) the world. My mom is having eye surgery today. She’s nervous, as she should be, but she’s hopeful that the surgery will remove the cataract and help clear up some glaucoma. So I prayed for the surgery—for a safe trip there and back—for courage and strength—for an eye clear enough to do the surgery today—for the healing process to move quickly so that she can return to puzzling and playing the piano—for my dad to be patient—for everything to go well.

 

And I prayed for the world. Yesterday’s prayer from the Lutheran church prayed for the world, too—for the physical world, for the political world, and for the social world that we find ourselves in. It said:

 

“Lord God, the heavens declare your glory. Renew your creation. Provide leaders in the struggle for clean air and water; protect creatures and crops that rely on healthy ecosystems; give all people the willingness to repent when our way of life pollutes the earth and skies. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

 

Righteous God, your foolishness is wiser than human wisdom. Fill leaders with the foolishness of your peace and mercy. Your law defends the vulnerable. Work through legislators, judicial systems, and systems of law enforcement to protect the wellbeing and freedom of all. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.

 

Loving God, your weakness is stronger than human strength. Protect those who are vulnerable and give courage to all who are suffering…Defend victims of crime and bring redemption to those who have harmed others. Give sabbath rest to all who labor. Hear us, O God. Your mercy is great.”

 

You may not be able to work on the puzzle with mom and me—although, we can arrange a time for you to visit if you feel so inclined to help! And mom and I may not be able to work on the puzzle together for a few days as she recovers from her surgery. But you can still join me in praying for the world—and in praying for my mom today, on this International Women’s Day—and in putting the world together one piece of love at a time.

 

Amen.