Wednesday, November 11, 2009

No newness yet

A prayer of Walter Brueggemann

You are the God who makes all things new.

We gladly raise our voices and move our lips
to acknowledge, celebrate, and proclaim
your staggering newness.

As we do so, we hold in our hearts
deep awareness of all the places where your newness
is not visible, and
has not yet come.

Our hearts link to many places of wretchedness
short of your newness.

We picture folks at home,
sick, in pain, disabled, paralyzed
(we name Frank),
and no newness yet.

We know up close the deep wretchedness
of poverty, of homelessness, of hunger
and no newness yet.

Move our hearts closer to the passion of our lips.

Move our lips closer to your own newness.

Work your newness in hidden, cunning ways among us.

Move us closer to your bodied newness in Jesus,
newness of strength come in weakness,
newness of wisdom come in foolishness.

Draw us from the wretchedness we know
to his scarred, bloody wretchedness
that is your odd entry of newness into our life.


We pray in the name of his suffering newness.

Amen.

Hat tip: Beautiful Bree, Current HNGR Intern in Rwanda

1 comment:

Tyler and Kati said...

My dear sweet friend,
It's Kati Coates! I just want you to know that I found your blog and now follow nearly every entry! And I love you. I miss you in my life, and I'm so happy to be somewhat reunited through your blog. I got married in October, and we have just started a blog about our marriage and upcoming trip to Zimbabwe... do email me! I miss you
love
Kati (Coates) Ayers! :)

Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.