Prayer . . .

My companion and I write a journal each week with commentary, exegesis and ideas to assist persons that prepare the children’s sermon. This is a Lectionary based resource. This morning, while writing for the texts for New Year’s Day, I ran across a sermon by a friend, Rev. Dr. Claudia Highbaugh, from December 2003. Her sermon ends with a prayer written by The Reverend William Sloane Coffin that seems good for the closing of this year, 2011, and the anticipation of 2012.

O God, who has created a world beautiful beyond any singing of it, gratefully we acknowledge that of thy fullness have we received, grace upon grace. Grant now that we may be responsible in the measure that we have received.

Keep us eager to pursue truth beyond the outermost limits of human thought, scornful of the cowardice that dares not face new truth, the laziness content with half-truth, and
the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth.

Strengthen our resolve to see fulfilled , the world around and in our time, all hopes for justice so long deferred, and keep us on the stony, long and lonely road that leads to peace. May we think for peace, struggle for peace, suffer for peace. Fill our hearts with courage that we not give in to bitterness and self pity, but learn rather to count pain and disappointment, humiliation and setback, as but straws on the tide of life.

So may we run and not grow weary, walk and not faint, until that day when by thy grace faith and hope will be outdistanced by sight and possession, and love will be all in all in this wonderful, terrible, beautiful world. Amen.