Let your kingdom come. Let your kingdom come. This has been my prayer today. Let your kingdom come… In Uvalde, Texas. Let your kingdom come… When our hearts are broken – again. Let your kingdom come… When we hear news that leaves us speechless. Let your kingdom come… When we can’t catch our breath because of unimaginable horror. Let your kingdom come… When we read the names and see the pictures of your children, young and old, whose lives have been taken by violence. Let your kingdom come… When we are overwhelmed by anger and grief. Let your kingdom come… When we don’t know how to pray. Let your kingdom come. This is not a prayer of hopelessness or despair. It is a prayer rooted and grounded in the hope and power of the resurrection. It is a prayer that acknowledges our human brokenness and sin in the light of God’s unfailing faithfulness. It is a prayer of surrender…of our will and life to the care of a loving God whose mercy never comes to end. Blessings, Matthew+
O God our Father, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust your beloved children of Uvalde to your everlasting care and love, and bring them fully into your heavenly kingdom. Pour out your grace and loving-kindness on all who grieve; surround them with your love; and restore their trust in your goodness. We lift up to you our weary, wounded souls and ask you to send your Holy Spirit to take away the anger and violence that infects our hearts, and make us instruments of your peace and children of the light. In the Name of Christ who is our hope, we pray. Amen. |