Prayer for the love of God

 *** Das deutsche Original habe ich gestern eingestellt - einfach eins runter scrollen.

Even since the pandemic began, Holger has been writing a prayer for us, just like he did when we could still hold Evensong at Berlin Cathedral. And sometimes, this prayer touches me to muc that I have to post it on my blog. Thank you, Holger. 

God’s Love and Ours
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. (1 John 4, 16b-21)

We pray: God, All in One, we feel so conflicted. Sometimes it is easy to accept ourselves with all we think or do, at other times we would like to run away from ourselves. And then we doubt: ourselves and the world and you. We ask you, please, touch our hearts that we may accept ourselves with our strengths and weaknesses, that we may feel your presence in confidence, Help us learn the meaning of self-love and teach us to be free of fear.

God, All in One, we live with other people and find much to dislike. We are bothered by superficialities and label them. Some people we want to interact with, others we reject. We fence people in or exclude them. We ask you, please, touch our hearts that we may learn to accept our neighbour as a human being, as created in your image and let go of our boundaries. Help us encounter one another in dignity and let human kindness blossom in our midst, that we may learn to be free of all fear.

God, All in One, our world is torn apart by hate and war. In Ukraine, despairing people see no future for their families, children lose their parents, or their home becomes uninhabitable. Violence distorts the image of the earth and humankind is enclosed in fear and horror. We ask you, please, touch our hearts that we may learn to transform all forms of violence and hate in us and begin to walk the paths of peace and reconciliation, so that this world will have more justice. Help us begin today and bring people hope and solace.

Everything that moves us or burdens our hearts, we bring before you in silent prayer.