Justice and Worship

Our times are in your hands.  We come to you now in our strength and in our weakness, in our hope and in our despair, in our buoyancy and in our disease.  We come to pray for ouselves and for all like us who seek and yearn for life anew with you and from you and for you.  - Walter Brueggemann

To trust God in the light is nothing, but trust him in the dark, that is faith.  - C.H. Spurgon 

Fear arises when we imagine that everything depends on us. - Elizabeth Elliot 

What happened?

On January 2, the United States killed a well-known military commander of Iran’s Quds Force, Major General Qasem Soleimani, who was designated by the U.S. as a terrorist. This event has significantly increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran. 

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. -Ephesians 5:1-2

Welcome to 2020!  In this first edition of Justice Prayers for the new year celebrate some good news with us.  

Thank you for joining us in prayer this year.  May this prayer from Walter Brueggemann be a blessing to you this Christmas Day.  

In violence and travail

We give you thanks for the babe born in violence.

We give you thanks for the miracle of Bethlehem, born into the Jerusalem heritage.

We do not understand why the innocents must be slaughtered; we know that your kingdom comes in violence and travail. Our time would be a good time for your kingdom to come, because we have had enough of violence and travail.

Breathe. SomeOne is here.  Not some idea, not some philosophy, not some theology — SomeOne. I could not go to Him, so He has come to me. We follow more than words on a page, we follow a Person who stays at our side. - Ann Voscamp

Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem.  May we let ourselves be drawn by the light of God made man.  - Pope Francis 

Fire Kills Workers in India

A fire broke out at a factory in India's capital New Delhi early on Sunday morning. At least 43 people have been reported dead. Many of the victims were asleep in beds in the factory, resting between shifts, when the fire began. Most of the victims were Muslim migrant workers who came from the Eastern state of Bihar, earning as little as $2.10 a day making a variety of garments.

The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.  - Dietrich Bonhoeffer