Pray, listen and GO!

I appreciated these prayers from The Democratic National Convention this past week. I have edited them slightly as they may apply to those of us who aren't from the US:

"Father God,
We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy. Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left. Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them. Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions. Give those who have power the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.

Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony. We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.

Lastly, father, unify us. Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common. And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments — but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an even greater nataion than the one we have come to cherish.

God we know that you are good.

I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice. Let Him be our example. Amen.” Donald Miller

"Almighty God, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us a reverence for all life. Give us a compassion for the most vulnerable among us - the babies, the children, the poor, the sick, the enslaved, the persecuted. For all of those who have been left out of the advantaged world. Give us a zeal to clean the environment we have polluted while we create an economy where everyone who can work can have a job. Help us to honor those who defend our country by working harder and smarter for peace. Help us to counter those that incite fear and hatred by becoming people who are informed and respectful and are known for principles and projects that aim higher than our own group's benefit. And grant that all of us citizens will continually do our part to contribute to the common good by loving our neighbor as we love ourselves. Amen! Let's go out and change the world for good!" Joel Hunter