Prayer by S.

I'm probably about to do a bad thing. I don't care.

S was the liturgist today. He wrote the prayer, and I think it's great, so I'm posting it here.

That's not bad in and of itself, except I haven't asked him if it is OK. He's out of town -- gone to New Jersey, so I can't ask, can I? Happily posting away...

Prayer written by S:

This is a day which the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. Dear Heavenly Father, we come into your house today with glad hearts. A promotion at work, an achievement by a child, a kind word from a loved one or friend. We come into your house today with heavy hearts. Loss of a job, a child spending more time with the principal than in class, a hateful-hurtful word from a loved one or friend. We watch the television with elation as the Olympians, who have trained so hard and so long, push themselves to the brink of human endurance. We watch the television and our hearts break as we see police officers, firefighters, and soldiers, who have trained so hard and long, lose their lives while providing safety and freedom for others.

Great and compassionate God, let us heed the words spoken by theologians and know who we are and whose we are -- we are yours. As we come into your house today, ready to revel in our glories, let us remember that they are your glories, and we are to give you praise. As we come into your house today scraping a bottom we did not know existed, may we be wrapped in the warmth of your spirit and strengthened by your love, knowing that nothing is going to happen today that we cannot handle together.

Lord, you left us your word -- your directions for our lives. We bind the chapters and let them adorn our coffee tables and pew backs. Open our eyes and focus our minds that we may know your Bible -- OUR Bible to be an action plan, not simply a historic record. Thy Word is lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Let us read and let us receive and let us pray without ceasing beginning with the words your son taught us to pray...