Sunday, May 25, 2008


Merciful God,

Have mercy on us in our shortcomings, our failings, our railings against you and our sins. Have mercy on us when we presume we can use war to fix what's wrong with the world or regions of the world. Have mercy on us when we send young men and women to do the work of those who stay behind and decide when and where to send them, whose lives are then shed on fields we sent them to protect. Have mercy on us when we don't honor those who naively put on the uniform to serve, who are too young to understand, and who have hope to make a difference. Have mercy on us when we don't remember those who did give their lives on foriegn soil in wars numbered, named and un-named. Have mercy on us when we ourselves cause war in our homes, our families, our friends, our work, our neighbors, our churches and within ourselves. Have mercy on us, Lord. Thank you for your loving mercy, Lord, Remind us that blessed are the peacemakers, for we shall be called children of God.

5 comments:

Jennifer Garrison Brownell said...

thanks for these words.

and in light of the issues raised, it seems silly to ask, but I really would appreciate your prayers of healing for my boy Elijah who has The Evil Croup, and who is also having half a dozen friends over for his 6th birthday party tomorrow.

Jennifer Garrison Brownell said...

Update - Monday morning. When a boy whose WHOLE LIFE is focussed on this day
1. has been coughing and feverish and then,
2. cannot even lift his little head when you say Happy Birthday to him
You have to cancel his birthday party, right?

Shit. I thought so.


MOre prayers appreciated...

Jennifer Garrison Brownell said...

Birthday Party Drama continues...

After an unpromising start, E woke up in better energy than I thought he would and no fever. We are going to do it. I"ve called the families - one doesnt wan to come but the others will be here. I told them we'll try to keep it short (possible) and mellow (probably not possible). NOw I have to rush around a little. I'll let you know how it goes.

Unknown said...

Juniper, I am sorry he has been so sick. I sure hope he does get to feeling better. What a way to have a birthday.
Bless you.

Mary Beth said...

Ah, Juniper. This is SOOO hard. Blessings on y'all.

Abi, what a courageous and wonderful prayer.

Please pray for Lynn, who is having seizures of unknown cause (!) for peace and for a diagnosis & treatment.

Also for Philip who has a brain tumor - the dr. keeps telling him different things: yes, it'll kill you within 2 years, no, you have 10 years, yes, it's growing, no, it's not, yes, it is...
and his wife, Anne-Marie, who has mental health issues of her own and who goes around saying rather inappropriate things (IMHO). Seems to me that God's given me a burden for her and I need to figure out what I'm meant to do to minister to her...but short of saying, I love you, can't you please discuss this in a more private venue (and not in front of him)...I'm really confoozled. Where is the CPE for the rest of us?