Lenten morning

how shall we pray this morning?
 
God of Lenten mornings,
in a time when no one seems
to be giving up meanness,
may we be kind.
in days when folks turn
their backs on strangers,
may we offer friendship.
in moments when the tempter
supplies us with bitter accusations,
may we weave shawls of compassion
with the words we speak today.
 
how shall we pray this morning?
 
Jesus, Leader of our Lenten journey,
so many speak so often about justice,
may we be silent as we work with others for it.
so many continue to ignore the vulnerable,
may we serve them with hope and hugs.
as others keep trying to dig deeper
and deeper chasms between people,
may we follow behind them, filling
the canyons with grace and love.
 
how shall we pray this morning?
 
Spirit of gentle quiet,
as the loudest voices try to
drown out everyone else,
may we be whispers of comfort.
when those around us expect us
to choose this ideology or that,
may we become a safe space for searchers.
finding so many who refuse to listen to another,
may we listen to the voices of the forgotten.
 
how shall we pray this morning?
 
as we travel through these Lenten days,
God in Community, Holy in One,
may we not give up being your people. Amen.
 
© 2022 Thom M. Shuman