Our Shared Prayers November
November 26
November 19
God of Creation,
Genesis tells us that step by step you invited the universe into being.
From nothingness you birthed a world that brings forth life,
A world founded on relationship and connection.
You spoke, and Creation responded;
You said “let there be”, and there was.
And all that you had created was, and is, very good.
God of Redemption,
As beings created in your image, you made us with the capacity to choose.
Throughout history we see how our choices have played out.
We see places where we have lived into your goodness,
And places where we have not.
Throughout scripture we see how you have continually walked with your Creation,
Again and again inviting us into relationship and connection,
And showing the way to the good life that you intend for all.
God of Love,
In your son Jesus you bring Good News.
In the living Christ you enter your world in an intimate, imminent, and transformative way.
In relationship you continue to walk with all that you have made,
Continuing to create, continuing to invite, continuing to bring forth goodness.
Through your Spirit you remove barriers and connect us,
To each other, to the rest of Creation, and to You.
May we as your people respond to your call,
Your voice that speaks again and again the invitation
To align our lives with the goodness you intend for all that you have made.
Amen
Written by Tim Wiebe-Neufeld, Executive Minister, Mennonite Church Alberta
November 12
O God, in this time of remembrance of the ravages of war, we know you hear the cries of those who refuse war. The Prophet Micah paints an image of nations waging war no more. The metaphor of ploughshare and pruning hooks is a metaphor of nurture, sustaining life, not destruction and killing of life. May we work to make this nurture for all of your children a reality. May we recommit to your ways of peace – peace where everyone shall live “in peace and unafraid.”
God, we know you hear the cries of the oppressed. Your holy story of the Exodus out of slavery gives us courage to move from slavery to freedom, from oppression to agency. May our prayers and our work continue to bring hope in our collective struggle for righteousness.
God, your call for justice clear: Our prophets of old, and our prophets of today call us back to faithfulness. Let us listen to the words of Micah, and Zechariah, of Nelson Mandela and Dorothy Day, and all the other prophets who echo your call with clarity!
God, you call us to action with the oppressed and you call us to a repudiation of war. Help us live into your call to "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." (Proverbs 31:8) And helps us "keep ourselves from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27)
Help us resist the pollution of a world that tempts us to adopt fear, tempts us to blame, tempts too many to seek revenge, and tempts us to get stuck in grief. Give us the holy courage that can only come from you, to push past these temptations and embrace your holy justice for all of your creation.
Amen
Written and shared by Suzanne Gross, MCA Bridge Building Facilitator at the Remembrance Day Peace Presence ceremony in Churchill Square. The ceremony was organized by Edmonton Mennonites and Quakers
November 5
Creator of the Universe, my soul cries out to you. So many things in our world seem wrong, it seems like everything is just a mess. It feels like all interactions have become stressful and fraught with tension, and that no one is choosing kindness anymore, and the idea of loving one’s neighbour has all but disappeared. In my weakest moments I feel like it would be a relief to meet anger with anger, to scream back a response if only for the release of the screaming. But I know that is not your way Lord, I know that is not what you desire for me, for any of us, that is not how we are faithful to you in difficult times.
Fill me up with faith Lord.
Help me to embrace the narrative I know to be true, to choose to walk your path of peace even when it seems like the path less travelled, when the path is harder and harder to see amidst the fog of fury that is swirling all around us. Turn my mind to what is noble, and right, and pure, let me see the things that are lovely and praiseworthy even in the growing darkness.
Fill me up with faith Lord.
Keep my ear tuned to hear your still small voice amidst the raging storms of anger, hatred, and fear. Help me to reflect your heavenly light, not the negative emotions that swirl around me. Open my heart to the beauty that still exists in this world and let me fix my eyes on the good and perfect gifts you extend to your children that we might magnify your wonders not our human failings.
Fill me up with faith Lord.
Be present in our worshipping spaces, guiding each one of those gathered to recommit to your call to love our neighbours. Let that love flow from these holy spaces until it is a tangible presence against the negativity. In love let us see you in every encounter with your children. In the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, Amen.
Written and shared by Jenn Ratzlaff, Calgary First Mennonite