Sunday, October 18, 2009
Offered by Joyce Shin, Associate Pastor

God of the old and God of the new, everywhere there is change. We feel the hustle of life. Sometimes we hurry to keep up, not to miss out. In all our comings and goings, beginnings and endings, at every turning point and new juncture, give us pause, Lord—long enough to look back and give thanks to you and long enough to look forward in hope.

Give us pause, Lord, so that we might look around, for your changing world is our setting, and you call us to engage it as best we can. So make us responsive, and make us responsible.

In the end, we know, Lord, that you will hold us responsible, for you have a vision of the world in which change in one life affects change in another. So let us be mindful of how the actions we take and the lifestyles we choose may have consequences in lives and realms removed from our own. You have a vision of the world in which justice is to roll down like mighty waters. So move us, Lord, to bear the burden of justice together that we might be a formidable life-giving force in the world. You have placed before us a vision of the cross and have charged the church to tell the story of how your Son lived and died for the sake and salvation of the world. Do not let your church become insular. Turn us outward so that we can witness your amazing grace at work in the world for which you died.

We pray, Lord, for the new creation you would have us be. Help us not to rest satisfied with anything less. Do not let us be content with partial measures when whole systems are corrupt. Do not let us focus on patching up relationships where deeper change of heart is needed. And by all means, keep us from making plans to postpone work for the welfare of others.

Instead, remind us relentlessly, Lord, that you have the welfare of the world in mind. We know that we have been part of the problem. Forgive us. We want so much to be of use. God of the old and God of the new, use us. Engage us in the immediate and thorough work required, and if we require transformation, mold us, bend us, stretch us; just don’t discard us. For you are the master creator, and we too are in your care.

To you we pray just as your Son Jesus Christ taught us to pray, saying, Our Father . . .

Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church