When the angel appeared to the shepherds outside Bethlehem it told them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people,” (Luke 2:10). The good news was the coming of the Savior, the one who would free us from our sins and show us how to love as God loves. As the year draws to an end, I can’t help but think we need that news now more than ever. This year has been a whirlwind of violence, bigotry, pain, and grief. In the face of so much evil, it is important that we remember what the nativity represents: the love of God, come down to earth, as the little child who would lead us to peace (Isaiah 11:6).
And so this Christmas, join me in a prayer of peace and healing for our world.
For LGBTQ people who cannot go home for the holidays because their family rejects how God created them, I pray they find a home. For people who are attacked for loving the person they love, or for becoming who they were born to be, I pray for safety and healing. For those who pervert the Word of God to justify hate towards LGBTQ people, I pray they may learn what Jesus meant when he said “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
For the victims of racial injustice and their families, for Sandra Bland, Walter Scott, Jamar Clark, and the many others we have lost this year, I pray for justice. For those who live in fear of the police who should protect them, I pray for safety. For people who deny the reality of racism, I pray their eyes may be opened to the truth. For people who claim a white shooter is a lone wolf, but a black or Middle Eastern shooter is representative of their whole race or religion, I pray they may see their hypocrisy. For a system that decides the value of a person based on the amount of melanin in their skin, I pray for leaders who can bring change.
For the refugees driven from their homes by violent radicals, only to be rejected by the place they turn to for help, I pray for safety. For people who are threatened in their own homes because of their religion, I pray for tolerance and acceptance. For people who listen to the fear mongering and bigotry, I pray they may have the courage to extend love instead. For a country in danger of falling under the sway of leaders who encourage hate and violence, I pray we may all have wisdom to discern who to follow.
Finally, I pray that I may have the strength and courage to stand up to injustice and violence and bigotry. I pray that I can use the many blessings you have given me to be an answer to the prayers of others. Every day, help me as I strive to follow the example of love and sacrifice set by Christ in his birth, life, death, and resurrection. Let my life reflect your love. In the words of St. Francis, God, “make me an instrument of thy peace.”
Amen
And so this Christmas, join me in a prayer of peace and healing for our world.
For LGBTQ people who cannot go home for the holidays because their family rejects how God created them, I pray they find a home. For people who are attacked for loving the person they love, or for becoming who they were born to be, I pray for safety and healing. For those who pervert the Word of God to justify hate towards LGBTQ people, I pray they may learn what Jesus meant when he said “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
For the victims of racial injustice and their families, for Sandra Bland, Walter Scott, Jamar Clark, and the many others we have lost this year, I pray for justice. For those who live in fear of the police who should protect them, I pray for safety. For people who deny the reality of racism, I pray their eyes may be opened to the truth. For people who claim a white shooter is a lone wolf, but a black or Middle Eastern shooter is representative of their whole race or religion, I pray they may see their hypocrisy. For a system that decides the value of a person based on the amount of melanin in their skin, I pray for leaders who can bring change.
For the refugees driven from their homes by violent radicals, only to be rejected by the place they turn to for help, I pray for safety. For people who are threatened in their own homes because of their religion, I pray for tolerance and acceptance. For people who listen to the fear mongering and bigotry, I pray they may have the courage to extend love instead. For a country in danger of falling under the sway of leaders who encourage hate and violence, I pray we may all have wisdom to discern who to follow.
Finally, I pray that I may have the strength and courage to stand up to injustice and violence and bigotry. I pray that I can use the many blessings you have given me to be an answer to the prayers of others. Every day, help me as I strive to follow the example of love and sacrifice set by Christ in his birth, life, death, and resurrection. Let my life reflect your love. In the words of St. Francis, God, “make me an instrument of thy peace.”
Amen
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