A Sabbath Prayer
As summer invites us into a gentler rhythm of rest, recreation and renewal, it also offers space to ponder how our prayer becomes action. In moments of quiet reflection, may these words encourage us to consider how God has already placed within us the gifts needed to help bring peace, justice, healing and hope to the world.
We cannot merely pray to you, O God, to end war;
For we know that You have made the world in a way
That we must find our own path to peace.
Within ourselves and with our neighbors.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end starvation;
For You have already given us the resources with which to feed the entire world,
If we would only use them wisely.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to root out prejudice;
For You have already given us eyes
With which to see the good in all people,
If we would only use them rightly.
We cannot merely pray to You O God to end despair,
For You have already given us the power to clear away slums and to give hope,
If we would only use our power justly.
We cannot merely pray to You, O God, to end disease;
For You have already given us great minds with which to search out cures and healing,
If we would only use them constructively.
Therefore we pray to You instead, O God,
For strength, determination and will power,
To do instead of just pray,
To become instead of merely to wish.
Written and inspired by Jack Riemer
