3 April 2011 No Comment

That is the wrong title: every prayer is powerful.

I get sent a mailing from the inestimable ‘mucky paws’ every quarter (see http://abbotsford.typepad.com/) 

This drew me up short last week:-

Lord, help us say no

when the voices speak of building up investments

in the things of the world

when you want us to invest our selves

in the ways of heaven

Lord, help us say no to the world

and yes to you

Lord, help us say no

to what the world tells us we need

in the accumulation of stuff

when you want us to let go the stuff

and rely on you instead

Lord, help us say no to the world

and yes to you

Lord, help us say no

to the quick fix and ready made answer

that patches the cracks

when you long for us to take a lifetime

to live and explore the questions

Lord, help us say no to the world

and yes to you

Lord help us say no

to throwing money at every problem

of feeding the hungry with direct debts

when you wish we would live in a more equal relationship

with those who are hungry in the world

Lord, help us say no to the world

and yes to you

Lord help us say no

to the easy way the world wants

that involves no pain or hardship

when you call us to carry crosses

and trust the love that bears all

Lord, help us say no to the world

and yes to you

Lord help us say no

to conflicts that show humanity at it’s worst

in blitz and repression

when you know we can live

ways that show the magnificence of humanity

Lord, help us say no to the world

and yes to you

Lord help us say no

to a faith that speaks empty words

and is borne by hollow actions

when we know of a word

that brings the fullness of life

and is carried by actions shaped by justice

Lord, help us say no to the world

and yes to you