The Prayer Room 1/11/15: Baptism of the Lord Sunday

"There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28 NRSV)

The verse listed above from Paul's letter to the Galatians is, to me anyway, one of the most powerful verses in the Bible. He's breaking the down the largest barriers of his age: Jew vs Gentile, slave vs free, male vs female.  For Paul, when Christ comes into the picture, those walls are torn down so that the light of Christ shines on all in equal measure. "You are one in Christ Jesus."

This last week was tough on the world scene.  It seems like every time I sit down to write one of these that there's some other horrible thing that's happened.  Last week it was the terrorist attacks in Paris and subsequent hunt for the killers.  That got all the news.  Let's also not forget that in Nigeria, Boko Haram militants slaughtered over 2,000 innocent men, women, and children.  That didn't get as much play here in the states.

But why? It's an easy question to answer.  French journalists working in an office are "us."  Poor people in the third world are "them."  We're nowhere near as concerned with what happens to them as opposed to what happens to us.  A massacre in a village in Africa seems a world away, while an attack on a French magazine office has us wondering if that kind of a thing could happen in our hometown.

The "us vs them" thinking comes even more into play when we look at Christians, or shall we say "western societies" vs Islam.  It was appalling to see "Kill All Muslims" trend on twitter for several hours last week.  Yesterday a certain American news outlet claimed that President Obama is going to alter the first amendment to fit Islamic law. The same outlet peddled an opinion that the City of Birmingham, in England, was now a Muslim enclave where non-Muslims are not welcome and will not go. They eventually apologized for that one, but it's clear that once again the fear machine has revved up to full volume as people seek to lay blame.  It doesn't matter that a Muslim employee at the Jewish kosher market that was attacked hid people in the meat locker and then snuck out to give police valuable info about the building and the situation inside.  That got little to no airplay.

The fear, and the "us vs them" thinking clearly goes against the Unity that Paul wishes for us to have in Christ, but it's not all bad news.  Yesterday millions of people marched in a rally in France to say that they weren't afraid of terrorism, and the President of France clearly drew a line between regular Muslims and the fundamentalists who perpetrate these actions.  It seems that despite the media hype and the raw rage of social media, most people still have their heads on straight about this.  

My prayer for the upcoming week is that it stays that way, and that it improves.  At some point, if humanity can come to conclusion that we're all in this together no matter gender, age, race, creed, social status or anything else, then we could really make some strides in this world.  Is that a tall order?  Absolutely.  Is it worth advocating for anyway?  Absolutely.  Please join me in keeping the victims of these incidents in your thoughts or prayers this coming week, and our world as well, that we can continue to try to realize that what unites us is bigger than what divides us.

Dear Christ, Prince of Peace:

We find, once again, that our world has been scarred by the worst kind of violence.

We offer up those who have died, that they may be at peace.

We offer up friends and family who are left behind, that they somehow find healing.

We even offer up those who commit these acts, that their hearts might be turned from hate.

We offer up our world to you, as we seek to find the best way to end this violence and be together.

We offer up ourselves to you, that we may recognize and void our own prejudices.

May your Spirit of peace, justice, and unity prevail as we pray the prayer you taught us:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Prayer Room, 1/4/15: Epiphany Sunday

And then the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." (Revelation 21:5 NRSV)

How many times in the past few days have you heard someone mention "New Year's Resolutions?" How many "New Year, New You" sales have you seen advertised on television and in stores?  It's big business as the calendar changes over from December to January and we add to our count of years.

It's probably for the better anyway.  Think about what we go through, and what often put ourselves through, during the holiday period.  We eat too much, we spend too much, we sit around too much, some folks drink too much, and then you add on the stress of running around to do shopping as well as time with family friends, time that we all want to be perfect but often ends up creating more tension than peace.  So it's really no big mystery why so many of us look at the start of the new calendar year, and the end of the holiday season, as a chance to start over and to get back on track.

It also happens to be a great time to look at your relationship with Christ, and with others, and see how you're doing.  We can use this time for a fresh start in our walk with God, and through that, a fresh start in our walk with others: our families, friends, and neighbors.  I wonder, as we've sat about thinking how we're gonna pay our Christmas bills and lose that extra weight, how many of us have thought about what God might have in store for us in the new year?

It can be an intimidating thought to ponder.  If we really strive to be open to his will and direction, there's no telling where that might take us.  Earlier this evening I read the beginning of the story of Abraham, where God tells him to pack up everything, leave the land of his family and culture, and venture into a strange and foreign land.  It is in doing this, taking this initial step of faith and trust, that begins a relationship and covenant with God, wherein Abraham's descendants will bring about a blessing to all the earth.

He had to be open though, he had to take the first step. Will you join me in trying to be more open to God this year, as scary as that might seem?  Remember that taking that first step into a new experience can lead to great growth and enrichment for ourselves and others we come into contact with!

Instead of the usual prayers I offer every Sunday, I invite you, if you are willing to try to be more open to God and new things in this new year, to join me in John Wesley's Covenant Prayer.  This is often used as a recommitment to God in the United Methodist Church during the first services of a new year.

I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering;
let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,
exalted for you, or brought low for you;
let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:
I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
you are mine and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

The Prayer Room Special: Air Asia Flight

An Indonesian flight crew member participating in the search for Air Asia flight QZ8501. (Time.com)

I wasn't going to do a Prayer Room entry for this week.  I've been a bit under the weather and quite frankly a bit overwhelmed exiting the Christmas holidays.  However, I've been following the story of the missing Air Asia flight since late Sunday, and it's been heavy on my heart, so I wanted to say a few things and offer up a prayer for those involved.

I got home from work last night and turned on CNN as I got sat down to eat my dinner.  At about 11 o'clock they began reporting that searchers had come across a debris field in the area where they were searching for the Air Asia flight, which disappeared from radar on Sunday.  A short while later they were reporting that officials were 95% percent sure that the debris was associated with the plane, and that they had spotted several bodies as well.  This morning as I got up, the news had been confirmed. This was the remains of this aircraft and the souls on board.  My heart just sank.

It's really beyond my comprehension.  If I'm honest with you this raises the most serious question that I still have about God and religion: why?  Why was a disaster like this allowed to happen?  How can the lives of 162 people just be snuffed out like a candle?  There are no easy answers to this question. Hopefully the search crews will find the instruments used to record data and voices on the plane so that they'll be able to decipher the reasons behind it, but for the families of these folks, the overall question of "why?" will still remain.

I can't imagine being in their shoes. A few years back my wife's aunt was murdered, and that was tough.  The question of why was still there.  In that case, it was pretty much because the guy who did it felt like it.  I imagine that losing a loved one, or multiple loved ones, in an accident event like this is even tougher, and I encourage everyone to keep the families and friends of those who have passed in their prayers and thoughts over the coming days.

And let's not forget about the people who are doing the search and recovery either.  This kind of thing can be traumatic.  When I worked with a local forensics unit, I participated in the recovery of a body of a young man that was killed in a nasty car accident.  It was not pleasant.  Recovering human remains that have been in the water for any length of time at all is one of the most gruesome things imaginable.  It has sights, textures, and smells all it's own, and it's quite horrible.

Tragedies like this will never have that overall metaphysical "why" answered.  All we can do is keep those involved in our thoughts and prayers.  Please join me now and in the coming days in offering up these people, especially the families and friends, to the Christ whose words calm storms and raging seas.

Dear Christ,

When these events happen, it is only natural for us to ask "why?"

As developments unfold, please guide the searchers as they seek the answers to this question

And as they seek to recover the remains of those who have perished.

We lift up these people before you,

these people who are tasked with these difficult, but very necessary duties.

Be with them, give them strength and comfort as they seek to carry these duties out.

We lift up those who have passed from this earth in this incident.  

Give their souls rest and peace

and guide them lovingly into whatever transitions from this life into the next.

Most importantly we lift up families and friends of those who have died.

Their pain and grief are beyond measure at this time.

Comfort them, and lead them on the path that will eventually bring peace and some healing in time.

We ask all these things in your name, 

you who calmed the storm with a word and walked upon the waters of the sea

as we conclude with the prayer you taught us:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.

A-men.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4 (NRSV).

The Prayer Room: 12/21/14 Fourth Sunday of Advent

"I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness.  I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness." Isaiah 42: 6-7 (ESV)

As I sit and write this, it's finally Christmas week starting today with the Fourth Sunday of Advent. The last candle around the perimeter of the wreath is lit.  On Wednesday, Christmas Eve, a lone white candle will be placed in the center and lit during the reading of the Nativity, representing the birth of Christ.  It is indeed a special time of the year.

In much of the Christian tradition, the fourth candle of Advent represents peace.  Peace is something that we seem to be lacking quite a bit right now.  I think about the people in the Middle East that are the victims of ISIS, and other victims of terrorism around the world.  I think about the families of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, and now after the events of this weekend I think about the families of two NYPD officers who were murdered in their car by a madman who used the deaths of others as an excuse to go out and live his own violent fantasies.  The violence that took Brown and Garner has begotten violence that claimed the lives of those two officers, and I'd be quite surprised if that violence doesn't create more violence in it's wake.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Peace is part of the essential message of Christmas.  When the angels appeared to the shepherds outside of Bethlehem, it was peace and goodwill that they trumpeted as the men trembled at the site. The message was so great that not only did they rush into town to see the newborn king, but they also went around telling everyone what they had seen and heard.

It's also peace, peace and love that God promises throughout the Old Testament when foreshadowing the promised birth of his Son.  As in the verses above when he speaks of "a light to the nations" and the freeing of captives.  They're powerful images that are meant to send a powerful message.

But we can't forget the role we're meant to play in delivering the great message of peace on earth. We're not only meant to proclaim the peace of Christ, but we're meant to help bring it about.  We're called to be examples, just as Christ was, to the world around us.  I'm not sure there is more important work to be done in our day and age than to both proclaim and work for peace.  If we want people to believe in our message, in Christ's message of "peace on earth among those with whom he is well pleased" we need to practice it.  We need to renounce torture and violence in all it's forms, not merely when it fits our agenda to do so.

There's a lot that's wrong in our world, and a lot that's wrong in our country.  Working for peace and change isn't going to be easy or even necessarily popular, but I think it must be done, and it can start with each of us, then working together, maybe something will finally, REALLY change and we can sing....

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

JOYS AND THANKSGIVING

--I've mentioned my uncle Greg a couple of times, including last week when I said that he was due for some full brain radiation cancer treatment. Well, Monday night he had another MRI and two of the three areas of concern in his brain seemed to pretty much gone and the third and newest one was reduced significantly.  So now the doctors are quite pleased and they're going to hold off on further radiation, and my uncle will feel A LOT better for Christmas not having to undergo radiation therapy!  I want to thank God for the progress that he's made and for the wonderful, skilled physicians and staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute for what they've been able to do for Greg and my family.

--My sister and my youngest nephew Caleb arrived safely from Maryland this past week.  I thank God for the time I am able to spend with them and the time to get to know my little nephew.

--For the incarnation of Christ which we'll celebrate this week.

--For the blessings of redemption and grace brought by his life, death, and resurrection.

CONCERNS AND PETITIONS

--For those who will be traveling to meet family this week,

--For the families of the two NYPD officers killed this weekend

--For our country, that we can tone down the violent rhetoric and work together for peaceful, meaningful change where it is needed.

--For those who have no family, friends, or even homes this Christmas, and that God will help us be his light and his hands and feet to these most vulnerable people.

Prince of Peace,
There is much that weighs on our hearts in these days.  Our newscasts seem to be one horrible story of violence, injustice, and mistrust after another.  Help us realize that another world is possible and help us, give us the strength and wisdom to help bring about peace on Earth through your love, grace, and mercy.

We commend this prayer to you with the words you taught us to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.

--Deliver us Lord from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day--

For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
A-men

The Prayer Room: 12/14/14, Third Sunday of Advent

"Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 (NRSV).

It's been a rough week for me, personally.  Not only are there all the family pressures and stresses that come with the holidays, but when you work in the business I work in, well, extra long hours on your feet, dealing with cranky people, start to take their toll as well. It all kind of caught up with me this week as I've been sickly and really run down.  I even missed a day of work for the first time this year! I like to think that my quest to give myself a Christmas attitude adjustment has gone well, but it's been tough the last week.

But now it's time to look on to the week ahead.  In most Christian traditions, the lone pink candle on the advent wreath is lit for the the third Sunday.  This usually represents joy or hope.  However, in the devotion I've been following based on the works of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the third candle represents redemption, which I think is a close cousin of joy and hope.

Redemption is the crux of the issue, the reason for joy and hope.  Last week I focused on the great mystery of the Incarnation, God coming as man.  This is indeed something to be in awe of and celebrate, but it's just the beginning of the story.  The grand, final chapter of the story of Christ on earth is his redemptive work on the cross for you, for me, for everyone.

However, we often make a bit of a mistake when we stop there.  "Well our sins are forgiven, so oh well."  Christ's redemptive work is also meant to be transformative.  When we just accept redemption and go about our business, we're also only getting half the story that Christ desires for us.  Bonhoeffer refers to this as "cheap grace."  It's when we realize how costly the grace of Christ crucified is, that we can really start to turn inward and make changes in our own lives that will hopefully help us make a difference in the lives of others, indeed in the life of the world as a whole.

Advent can help us do that.  As we wait to celebrate the birth of Christ, we turn inward and examine ourselves, preparing our hearts, bodies, and minds for this sacred season.  I invite you to join me this week in remembering, with joy and hope, the redeeming work of Christ which was not cheap, that cost him his life to save ours.

WITH GRATEFUL THANKSGIVING:

--For life of Christ, Son of God made man, born of Mary, crucified, died and buried.  

--For his resurrection on the third day completing his redemptive work. Christmas always leads to Good Friday and to Easter Sunday.

--For those who give of their time, money, and resources to help those who are less fortunate at Christmas and throughout the year.

IN PRAYERFUL CONCERN:

--For my uncle Greg, who will be undergoing full brain radiation this week in an attempt to kill multiple tumors.

--For those who feel the pain of depression, rejection, and loneliness more acutely during the holiday season.

--For those who are spending their first Christmas after the death of a loved one.

--For those who are traveling to visit family this season, and for their safe return home.

DEAR FATHER:

Thank you so much for this wonderful time of the year.  Give us the strength and wisdom to live in peace and make inroads for reconciliation as we gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of your son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
A-men.

The Prayer Room: 12/7/14, Second Sunday of Advent

"The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11: 6-9 NRSV)

My heart is kind of heavy as I sit down to write this week.  Last week I talked about how peace, healing, and reconciliation were already weighing heavily on my mind after the events in Ferguson, Missouri.  Well, this week we got the news that another police officer, this time in New York City, would not be charged in the strangling death of another unarmed African-American man.  If the sense of injustice wasn't high enough after the Michael Brown case, it's even higher now.

I honestly don't know what we do now, or where we go from here.  I can't say as I'd blame any African-American individual for being afraid of an encounter with the police, and I can't say as I'd feel any different if I were in their shoes. There seems to be so much hurt, so much hate, and so much violence.

The verses above from Isaiah 11 came up in my readings this last week for Advent, and though they've long been a favorite of mine, they hit me even more in light of events that are happening right now.  The imagery is striking: lambs and wolves lying together, little children playing near the lair of snakes.  If you stop and think that children in the Bible often symbolize innocence and purity, and that serpents often represent evil, well it's even more striking.  

This is of course the Biblical ideal, the promise of the world governed by Christ as the Kingdom of God.  "They WILL NOT hurt or destroy on all my Holy Mountain."  I think too often we as Christians just sit back and think of this as an ideal only to be achieved later, after the Second Advent, but I don't think Christ would have us sitting around, waiting.  What good is faith if all we do is sit back and wait for some kind of "eternal reward?"  The answer is: not much.

Instead I truly believe that as Christians we are called to bring forth ideas into this world that serve the Kingdom NOW.  I'm not talking about enforcing some kind of conservative political or theocratic dogma either.  I'm talking about Christians, the body, hands, and feet of Jesus Christ stepping into the world and working for healing, peace, and reconciliation. I'm talking about Christians standing with those who are marginalized or who are victims of violence and oppression.  It's not going to be easy, but I pray that God will give me, and each of us, the backbone to really go out and to try to turn this torn and broken world into the Holy Mountain of the Lord.

JOYS AND THANKSGIVINGS:

--For victim's advocates and those who work tirelessly in the favor of those who have been wronged or marginalized.

--For candles, decorations, music, and all that reminds of the joy that the Christmas season can bring.

--For the incarnation and example of Christ, the Word made flesh.

CONCERNS AND PETITIONS:

--For all victims of violence, hate, and discrimination.

--For healing, justice, and reconciliation to be brought to our country in light of recent events.

--For those who become depressed and downtrodden, since they often go even more unnoticed this time of year.

--For those who will be traveling over the holiday season.

LORD God, we ask that now, in this time of great hurt and great divide, that you would give each of us a measure of your peace, the peace that passes all understanding.  Grant us the power and strength to stand FOR all of your Children and AGAINST injustice.  Grant to us the knowledge of you and your Kingdom as the waters flow over the sea, as the prophet of old foretold.  Bring us healing and reconciliation in this sacred season as we look forward to celebrating the birth of your Son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray:

OUR FATHER, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and grant us peace in our day.
In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety
as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our savior:
Jesus Christ

For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
forever, A-men.

The Prayer Room--11/30/14--First Sunday of Advent

For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 NRSV)

So it's not quite December yet, give it a few hours, but today is the day when Christians of many traditions begin to look forward to celebrating the birth of Christ with the Christmas holiday.  It's the first Sunday of Advent.  During Advent the focus of Christian tradition is twofold.  First we wait in anticipation of the commemoration of the Incarnation which we celebrate on Christmas, but we also focus on being ready for the second Advent, hopeful for the return of Christ to the world.

I have many memories of Advent from growing up.  My family gathered around an Advent wreath every night reading devotions, looking up Bible verses, and singing Christmas songs as my younger sister and I took turns lighting the candles.  Not observing this custom in recent years has left me feeling somewhat empty throughout the holidays, so I'm really looking forward to returning to the practice this year.

As we move through the Advent season peace and reconciliation are going to be on my mind a lot. We've all seen the consequences of violence, discrimination, and hatred sprawled across our tv screens in recent days and weeks, and for me it's only natural to turn to Him named as the Prince of Peace for help. I invite you all to join me in making these central themes of your spiritual discipline this season and I ask God's blessing on all of us as we make our way through the next four weeks.

JOYS AND THANKSGIVINGS:

--My uncle Greg got some good news this week as full body scans revealed no further cancer in his body.  He still has a spot in his brain that needs to be dealt with, but his doctors seem to be cautiously optimistic that this can be done.

--For those who will be taking time out of their own lives and holiday celebrations to serve the poor and needy in this season of so much abundance, yet so much need.

--For the blessings that most of us receive day in and day out, things that we can easily take for granted: food, shelter, heat, electricity, health, and safety.

--For this season of Advent, when we can work to make ourselves more like the man whose birth we celebrate and whose return we hope for.

CONCERNS AND PETITIONS:

--For the people of Ferguson, Missouri and those affected by the events in that community, that the people and the police can work together toward meaningful reconciliation, reform, and healing in that deeply scarred place.

--For those people who still feel the sting and injury of discrimination based on race, gender, creed, sexual orientation, or any other facet of their life.

--For all of us in community around our town, state, nation, and world, that we can work together to end these types of discrimination and violence, eventually bringing out healing and the peace of Christ.

--For men and women in the armed forces who will not be spending the holidays with family this year.

--For those observing the disciplines of Advent, that it may bring joy and meaning to their lives.

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR: We ask that your Holy Spirit move among each and every one of us throughout the holiday season, showing us ways to better ourselves and the world around us.  Help us to live the principles of your Kingdom, as modeled by Christ, throughout Christmas and the days beyond.

MIGHTY GOD: We ask that you give us hearts for worship, hearts for you alone during this season of Advent.  Help us see the paradox of the Creator of the Universe being born into our broken and damaged world in a simple, dirty stable to a young and bewildered couple.  

EVERLASTING FATHER: Draw us closer to your side as we wait in joyful hope to celebrate the birth of your son.  Give us comfort when sad, guidance when directionless, and grace and forgiveness when we fall short of the ideal in which you call us to live.

PRINCE OF PEACE: Bring your peace and healing to all who are torn by violence, discrimination, hate, and war.  Help us as your children to work tirelessly in your name to bring about this peace and your Kingdom.

We ask all these things in the name of JESUS CHRIST, who taught us to pray:

OUR FATHER who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.

A-men.

The Prayer Room--11/23/14, Last Sunday After Pentecost

A man kneels and prays at a makeshift memorial for Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. (Photo: CBS News)

Many of us will turn our hearts to Thanksgiving this week, and we should definitely do that. Most of us will never know what it's like to be truly hungry.  Many of us will never know what it's like to not have a roof over our heads.  Many of us will never be a victim of violent crime.  Those of us who are fortunate in these and other respects should give thanks for the blessings in our lives.

But we need to remember that this isn't the same for everybody.  In particular I'm thinking about the people of Ferguson, Missouri.  Most of us will be familiar with the events of August 9, 2014, when Michael Brown, an African American teenager, was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer.  This sparked racial tensions throughout not only the Ferguson area, but in different places all over the country as well.  It also raised the specter of violence in our society and concerns about the legitimacy of the use of deadly force by police officers.  In short, this incident has become about more than just the particular facts of the case.

Look, I don't know what happened.  I wasn't there, and I haven't seen the evidence.  Perhaps the only person who REALLY knows is officer Wilson himself.  However, this doesn't make the questions that have been asked and the issues that have been raised less valid.  The issues will have to be faced and these greater questions will be have to be answered going forward.  They're not going to go away. 

Many people believe that the church has a role to play here, not only in the larger sense of confronting these big issues, but in the smaller sense of helping the community of Ferguson throughout the days ahead.  The grand jury that will decide whether or not to indict officer Wilson will be announcing their findings soon, likely in the next couple of days.  Most legal experts have said that they don't believe that Wilson will be indicted for killing Brown, and it's quite likely that this is going to cause a great deal of strife in that community which has already been through so much.  There might be some pretty bad things going on there while most of us focus on turkey, football, and family this week.  I pray that this won't be the case, but I fear it will be. 

So I ask that we all keep the people of Ferguson in our prayers and thoughts this week and ask Christ to bring about peace in this situation.

JOYS AND THANKSGIVINGS

--For family and friends that gather around us and support us not only in the good times, but in the bad.

--For the blessings that we each receive in our lives every day and every year.

--For those who will be working to provide a thanksgiving dinner to people who are homeless or less fortunate.

CONCERNS AND PETITIONS

--For those who don't have family and friends, or who are separated from them for Thanksgiving and the holidays.

--For those who will be experiencing the first Thanksgiving after losing a loved one.

--For those who will be traveling throughout the week.

--For the people of Ferguson, Missouri, as they try to cope with the ramifications of the events taking place in their community.

--That Christ will grant us his peace and help to look past race, gender, sexual orientation, and the like and see the humanity in each and every one of his children.

The Prayer Room: 11/16/14--23rd Sunday After Pentecost

"Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice." (Psalm 141:2. NRSV)

So another week has come and gone, another week during which we all try to live our lives the best way we see fit.  How did you do this week?  For me, well, I've earnestly sought God and I hope through his grace that I can continue to be an even better person, both for myself and hopefully for those around me.  The more I think about it, the more that I realize that it's a process.  It's not a lesson that ever finishes.  We should each continue to learn and grow in our lives.  

There are a couple of specific things on my mind this week though.  Just this morning IS militants released another one of their videos portraying the murder of innocent people.  In this case, one of those pictured was Abdul-Rahman Kassig, and American aid worker and convert to Islam that had been working to help refugees on both sides of the Syria-Turkey border.  Apparently the video also showed the execution of several captured Syrian soldiers.  You'll forgive me if I didn't watch it to verify these facts.  I'll be offering prayers for Mr. Kassig and his family in the coming week, and I hope that you will join me not only in praying for them, but for all the people who are stuck under the rule of IS and their families as well.

Closer to home, I'd also ask for prayers for my uncle Greg, who I mentioned in last week's entry as a veteran.  He was diagnosed with lung cancer a year or more ago.  He ended up being given access to some experimental treatments that seemed to have been very successful at dislodging the cancer.  He is doing well, but goes in for some scans to check his progress later this week. This understandably causes our family a bit of anxiety, and I ask that you keep him, and us, in your thoughts this week.

Finally I have something more personal.  The upcoming holidays are always a little tough on me because my job is doing merchandising for a large retail company.  I've been doing it for 17 years now, and over the years having to go through the rigmarole surrounding Christmas and retail has largely destroyed any good feelings I have for the season.  I'm going to try to change that this year. I'll be doing a personal advent regimen that I'm really excited about (more on that in future.)  Also, my sister and youngest nephew will be coming for Christmas.  This will be the first time in years that my mom, dad, my sister, and myself are together for Christmas, and I'm really looking forward to it.  I humbly ask that you will keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I try to change my attitude this holiday season.

Here are some other things that are on my mind this week:

THANKSGIVINGS

--For things that bring enjoyment and enhancement to our lives, such as music, sports, books, relationships, etc.

--For the ease of access to information which can educate us and help us lead better lives.  

--For the food and drink that we eat and enjoy, remembering that many do not have this same luxury.

PETITIONS/INTERCESSIONS

--For those living under the rule of IS or other tyrannical regimes.

--For the family of Abdul-Rahman Kassig, who has recently been murdered by IS.

--For those who continue to risk their lives and freedom to help others in need throughout the world.

--For those whose jobs will keep them apart from their families over the holiday season.

--For those who will be traveling in the coming weeks.

The Prayer Room--11/09/14, 22nd Sunday After Pentecost.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I in 1914.  Four years later, on November 11, 1918, the Armistice at Compiègne went into effect at 11 AM, Paris time.  This signaled the end of the fighting in western Europe between Germany and the Allies, and for all intents and purposes was the end of first world war.  This day was later set aside, both by the USA and other countries, as a day to honor those who had served in the military.

As we come across Veteran's Day this year, 2014, the service and sacrifice of men and women in the armed forces is heavily on many of our minds.  The events that followed 9/11/01 shaped our country's history and spawned a new age of Veterans.  Instead of being a day when we often thought of World War II, Vietnam, or Korea, now we have young men and women who are returning from, and dying in, places like Iraq and Afghanistan.  Whether you agree with these wars or not, whether you agree with policies that helped bring them about or not, the uniform and the sacrifice of the American marine, soldier, sailor, airman, or coast guardsman should be revered and respected.  In the last year we've found out that not all of these men and women have been receiving the care that they should when they get home, and that should be something that all of our politicians should be desperate to fix.

So as we enter this week ahead, I invite you to join me in prayer for these men and women, and their families.  Let's not forget the sacrifice of those in the service now or those that came before.  I would like to mention both of my grandfathers, both long past from this earth:

Walter D. Carter, US Navy, World War II
Edward L. Moore, US Army, World War II

Also I'd like to mention some other friends and family who have served, or are currently serving:

Greg Pierce--US Navy, my uncle.
Jeff Newsom--US Air Force, Afghanistan.  Jeff was the best man at my wedding,
Greg Miller--US Army, Afghanistan.  The Millers are great friends of ours, and I remember Greg as just a little kid!  Here he is receiving the Purple Heart from Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in 2011:

THANKSGIVINGS:

--That we live in a land where we are indeed free to practice our beliefs

--For the willingness of men and women to put their lives on the line for our country.

--For elections and the peaceful transition of power in our country.

CONCERNS AND PETITIONS:

--For veterans who are homeless or who otherwise are not receiving the kind of post action care that they need.

--For the families and loved ones of those who have been lost in recent military actions.

--For men and women in the American uniform still stationed throughout the world, many of whom will not spend the Holidays with their families and friends back home.

The Prayer Room--11/02/14, 21st Sunday After Pentecost; All Saints Sunday

"For once you were in darkness, but now in the Lord you are light.  Live as Children of Light--for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true."--Ephesians 5: 8-9

Greetings and peace to everyone in the name of Christ!  I really enjoyed doing the "Prayer Room" post from last week and I got some notes on Twitter from a couple of folks who liked it as well.  So here we are again, coming to the end of another Sunday but the beginning of another week in which we all have joys, thanksgivings, struggles, and shortcomings.  I invite you to join me in turning all of theses over to the love of Jesus.

I've had two things that have been on my mind in recent days.  The first of which I'm sure has been on many of your minds as well.  This is the election coming up on Tuesday for those of us in the United States.  I've been thinking about it even more as I've been reading and studying about Dietrich Bonhoeffer and how Germany, under control of the Nazi Party, basically co-opted the church in Germany in the 1930s.  This has really led me to ponder the relationship between church and state. There will be more about that on the blog in the coming days, but for now, let's just keep the country in mind as we go to the polls on Tuesday.

The other thing that's been on my mind is terminal illness.  Specifically I've been reading about this young woman in Oregon, Brittany Maynard, who had decided to end her own life after being diagnosed with incurable brain cancer.  Today her life ended.  She had been working as an advocate for the "right to die" movement and her story had been controversial in some circles.  Even now, when it's all over, there are people who are judging this woman, mostly on religious grounds, saying life "isn't meant to be ended on our own terms."

Look, I'm not a theologian, nor do I pretend to know the mind of God on this or any other issue, but I can't imagine being in the place that this young woman was.  Personally, I fear death to such an extent that I don't think I could ever do something like that, but I really can't argue with a person who wishes to pass peacefully and spare themselves the final, horrible stages of an illness like that. Whatever our positions are on this issue, the truth is this:  the decision was hers alone to make.  I believe that what Christ would have us do in regards to this situation is to have compassion for her and for her family and friends as they cope with the loss of their loved one.  That should be something that we can all get behind.

So with those things being said, here is some of what I'll be bringing to God in the coming week:

THANKSGIVINGS
--For the changing of seasons. In the beauty of autumn, we can start to grasp the cycle of life and renewal that takes place every spring.

--In honor of All Saints Day, let us give thanks for the men and women of faith who have gone before us and helped shape our lives in Christ.

--For the right to cast a vote in our republic.

CONCERNS AND PETITIONS
--For our country as we go to the polls, that somehow, when all of this is done, that the people who represent us can find a way to work together for the common good and overcome petty, partisan politics.

--For Brittany Maynard, may she rest in peace, and for her friends and family as they go through this time of loss.

--For all those who are terminally ill, they may find comfort and peace in their lives, and for their families as they struggle side by side with them.

--For the people who continue to suffer from the Ebola virus, and for the men and women who take it upon themselves to treat them.

--For charity and aid workers who will be working throughout the holiday season to help others in need.

"I know that I shall one day see the goodness of the Lord, when God will wipe away our tears and death will be no more.  I know the my redeemer lives, that I shall rise again."--Scott Soper, "I Know That My Redeemer Lives."

"Father, guide us this week and help us live as Children of Light in a world of darkness. Make us imitators of Christ and hear us as we pray as he taught us:

Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.

Amen."

The Prayer Room: 10/26/14, 20th Sunday After Pentecost

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.  He alone is my rock and salvation, my fortress;  I shall never be shaken.--Psalm 62:1-2 (NRSV)

This morning in our class we talked about how when Dietrich Bonhoeffer visited Rome he saw men, women, and people of all colors and races come together as lay people and members of religious orders.  This encouraged him to really think of the Church as a universal entity.  There he was, a German Lutheran, finding unity with Roman Catholics.  

It inspired me to really think along those same lines.  So I decided that I would reach out to all of you with the offer of prayer.  On Sundays I'll write an entry called The Prayer Room, where I'll list some of my own thanksgivings and concerns about the world as a whole.  I may also list some personal things.  I'll be praying for each of these things throughout the week, and I invite each of you, no matter your religious affiliation, to join me in praying about these things.  If you have something that you would like to add to The Prayer Room, feel free to leave a comment, drop me an email at brandonlbc@gmail.com, or contact me on Twitter @BrandonLBC.  I'll be happy to add it to the next entry of the Prayer Room and pray for your concern throughout the week.  If you would like me to pray for you privately, I'm more than happy to do that as well, just use the email or send me a DM on Twitter.

There's only one rule to this.  I don't want it to turn into some political thing or theological argument, especially with elections pending in our nation.  Let's keep it respectful, positive, and apolitical.  So I'm NOT looking for stuff like "Let's pray that such and such party wins the elections."  I truly believe that the church, as a community, is made up of people with different opinions on a range of issues.  However, when we realize that we are one in Christ, we realize that what unites us is truly bigger than what divides us.

So with all that being said, here is what's on my mind for the coming week.

THANKSGIVINGS

--For the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and all of those who work tirelessly, and sometimes give their lives, to bring the love of Christ into the world.

--For organizations like food banks and the Salvation Army, who will be working throughout the holidays and winter months to give people food and necessities, as well as to provide a Christmas for many children of folks who can't afford it.

--For the ability, for those of us in the USA and other countries, to express our belief (or lack of belief) freely without fear of government sanction.

CONCERNS AND PETITIONS

--For those who are not free to worship or express their belief (or lack of belief) freely.

--For the victims and families of the victims of the latest school shooting in the United States, which happened last Friday in Marysville, Washington.  Also let us not forget the family of the young man who committed the act.

--For the victims and all those affected by the shootings in and around the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, especially the family and friends of  Nathan Cirillo, the Canadian Soldier killed in this event, pictured here with his 5 year old son Marcus.

--For all those affected by the Ebola virus, as well as the brave doctors, nurses, and others who risk their own health and lives to help and care for the sick and dying.

--For the safety of children who will be participating in Halloween activities during the coming week.

--For people, who due to injury, disease, or disability, are no longer able to perform their jobs and must rely on others for assistance,

--For American and allied service personnel and their families, and that the current armed conflicts can be resolved with the least amount of violence done to the least amount of people.

--For people who do not have basic essentials of food and shelter heading into the winter months.

"Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name.  Come and follow me, I will bring you home.  I love you and you are mine."

--Dear Lord, thank you for the week you have given us, and help us to seek to better the world around us through your son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray:

  Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
[For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.]

Amen.