Most of All

You saw the distress of Hagar in the wilderness.
        You saw her distress and it moved you.

You listened to the moaning of your people just freed from Egypt.
        You listened to their moaning and it moved you.

You witnessed the just punishment of your servant David.
         You witnessed his punishment and it moved you.

You heard the cry of your people enslaved by the Philistines. 

        You heard their cry and it moved you.

You touched a man stricken with leprosy.

        You touched his wounds and it moved you.

You visited your friend Lazarus's grave.

        You visited the site and it moved you. 

You are a God of relation-

and we cannot accuse you of being far off.

Not only were you moved by these unto compassion,

but you were moved by these unto action. 

Remind us that in our distress-

you whisper your promises to us yet again.

Remind us that in our moaning-

you graciously provide for our needs.

Remind us that in our punishment-

you abound with mercy in your judgment's midst.

Remind us that in our slavery-

you orchestrate our freedom.

Remind us that in our sickness-

you draw near with a healing touch.

Remind us that in our grief-

you are grieving, too.

Teach us not just to trust what we see of you,

but to trust who we know you to be. 

Teach us that our circumstances are not indicative of your best for us,

but that you are at work to heal and to redeem and to mend.

We praise you for hearing and seeing and listening and touching and visiting. 

Most of all, we thank you for Jesus Christ,

in whom you have participated in all of this for us.