A Prayer for 2020

 Oh, Lord, we find ourselves in the storm. 

May we find you there too.

We have so many fears, Father, so many fears lurking in the corners of our hearts. 

Give us the courage to call them out of the shadows. 

And as we give names to our fears, may we find they weren't as large in the light of day as they had seemed in the darkness.

May we hold tight to the things we know with certainty, even in an uncertain time.

And yet, may we be open and acknowledge that what we thought we knew may not be right. 

May we listen with open hearts and open minds.

May we see the thread of truth woven through others' stories,

and in humility, may we accept the truth and right our own misconceptions.

Help us to be people of community.

Give us creativity to know what that means in a time of distance, of Zoom calls, of masks, and of periods of quarantine. 

May we love well.

May we show up in the places of hurt and fear with love that doesn't ask questions, doesn't seek caveats, doesn't turn away from differences.

As we live a year of chasms and quarantines, of divides and disputes, may we be people of peace. 

And on the other side of 2020, may you find us more faithful, more full of love, and more deeply appreciative of one another than we ever could have been without having lived through this year.

Redeem all that's broken and hurting, and may 2020 be the year that broke us to rebuild us into something more beautiful. 

Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@andyadcon