By Glory E. Dharmaraj, Ph.D., President, World Association for Christian Communication-North America. Retired Director of Mission Theology, United Methodist Women
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”
Our parent God, you teach us to stretch our hearts to embrace the whole humanity and see the common humanity of your worldwide children. Enable us to live into your vision of global solidarity and your intent of the One Church as a neighborhood of siblings.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
May your realm of healing and wholeness take root here on this pandemic- stricken earth, O God. Shatter our parochial tendencies that lock down your kingdom inside the building of our churches. Grace us with other-centeredness for living out your kin-dom here and now.
“Give us this day our daily bread.”
Give us daily food to keep us alive. Fortify the expendable women and men who set out to work daily so that we can have food on our tables. Reinforce our advocacy efforts for the most marginalized, now and beyond Covid-19.
“Forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
We acknowledge the trespasses we committed against our fellow human beings, non-human beings, and the earth. We repent of our shortcomings. Grant us the grace to forgive all those who trespass against us, even when it is difficult to pinpoint who the real enemy is in this pandemic.
“Lead us not into temptation; deliver us from evil.”
Save us from ourselves, as we practice faith in the One who withstood temptations, and triumphed over evil. Equip us to address evil in the power structures that put profit before people.
“For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever.”
Yours is the final victory, O Eternal God and our Everyday Companion. You are the cross-over that connects the crisis-ridden present with the boundless eternity we will inherit, and that you will see us through. Trusting in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, we thank you. Amen.
Originally published at UM-Insight.net