Prayer after the Election

Almighty and merciful God,

It is the day after the election in this country whose motto is “In God we Trust.”

Help me and every citizen in this country to step back and reflect what it means

to truly trust in You. Help us to rely on your wisdom and to depend on you for

strength and hope to get through this time of waiting. May your love conquer our fears

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and draw us closer to you, the source of all goodness and grace, and to each other.

Forgive us of our pride, our selfishness and lack of compassion especially for the weak

and vulnerable among us. Restore and heal our land, O God and raise up leaders

who are humble and willing to serve with sincerity and empathy. Help us not to look out

for our own selfish interests, instead renew our minds and hearts that we may look

beyond ourselves and see those in need, and realize that in caring for them, we are caring for

You. In the name of Jesus, who came to serve and not to be served. Amen.

Prayer for Peace

Eternal God,

I humbly ask for your gift of peace.

Help us to receive it with humility and grace.

Let not the evil and greed that threaten harmony among your children,

prevail.

Draw us to yourself and your love, that we may live with compassion

towards everyone, even those who do not share our views about

how things ought to be done.

Help us to realize that we can live and thrive

even with our differences if we only try to see that deep in our hearts

we all desire to care for those we love.

Hear our prayer, O God.

Have mercy on us, I pray. Amen.

A New Day: A Prayer for Renewal

Dear God,

A new day has begun. Once more, I can begin anew and be a channel of your grace in the world. Let me not be too busy to stop and breathe deeply and feel you life-giving Spirit in me. Help me to care for myself so that I may care for others with more energy and joy. Renew me from within that I may live each moment of this day with a fresh and vibrant resolve to serve you and others with humility and compassion.

I pray this in the name of Jesus, who is alive forevermore. Amen.

Being Kind but not a Pushover

Is it possible to be kind and not be a pushover? By kind I mean, relating with others with respect and calmness even when confronted with wrongdoing or a mean attitude. By pushover, I mean not being easily swayed or influenced by someone in order to please or placate the person even if you disagree with him or her. In my experience of following Jesus as a disciple, reading the Bible and praying for the Holy Spirit, I believe it is possible to be kind and not be a pushover. How? I suggest three things.

  • Be kind but firm. Follow Jesus’ lead. Be kind in speech and actions, but be firm with what you believe is right and true.
  • Be kind but don’t tolerate evil. You can be kind but not condone or participate in wrongdoing.
  • Be kind but not naive. The apostle Paul in Ephesians 5:16 warns us, “Be very careful, then how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

Prayer inspired by dew drops

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Good morning, dew drops!

You who kiss the ground and grass

and melt under the warm rays of the sun

while golden maple leaves flutter

down…

down…

down…

and I watch from my window

in grateful wonder.

Dear God, can I be a dew drop for a few moments?

Let me melt into your warm presence

and bask in the gentle rays of your love.

copyright 2020 – Carla A. Romarate-Knipel

Dance

You and me.

We.

Together.

Let us dance while the storm is raging

Even if we step on each other’s toes, let us keep looking

into each other’s eyes.

Let us feel the beat in our hearts,

that rhythm of love that won’t give up

the music of memories that holds us up

unbowed

unfazed

by the gloom.

copyright 2020 – Carla A. Romarate-Knipel