A Prayer for a Violent World

We live in a violent world, and we're afraid

      Afraid that the same shootings and bombings we hear of will happen to us, too

      Afraid of the inevitability of teen deaths in our streets and domestic violence in our homes 

      Afraid that military efforts will never eradicate terrorism
      Afraid that abusers will always prey on the weak, even in schools and in churches

       

We live in a violent world, and we're angry
      Angry that some have lost their lives at the hands of police brutality
      Angry that the media skews and gossips and misrepresents

      Angry that disease ravages life, family, and relationships

      Angry that soldiers serve and sacrifice but return home with harmed minds 

We live in a violent world and we're cynical
      Cynical towards appointed and elected leadership
      Cynical towards current and prospective neighbors who aren't like us
      Cynical towards reconciliation efforts among long histories of scandal and inequality
      Cynical towards commitment and long-suffering when self medication is easier and accessible

If we are honest, You seem far off from us and all of this
Where is the place for God in a violent world?
How can a good and trustworthy God uphold a violent world?
Where is the hope God offers to us in a violent world?

And yet..

You are God, the Christ, One who took on flesh in a violent world.

     Who else can be trusted with our fear but He who bore it unto death?

     Who else can bear with us in anger like He who came for the underprivileged and broken?

     Who else can break us of our hypocrisy and cynicism but He who is perfect in holiness?
     Who else will save us from these bodies enslaved to sin and death?

Thanks be to God in Christ for His resilience in breaking us and making us new

We have great need of Him- in our fear and anger and cynicism
In this ever violent and ravaged world we have but one confession:
Jesus is the Savior of all, and hope is no where else to be found

Open our eyes to see Him, in this Advent season and always.

Amen.