Prayer 7
Worship
Prayers for the Age of Technology
Object:
Dear Supreme Valuer:
We have, in this new era, become aware of how our folkways, mores, values, and institutions were acquired. We now feel certain that they have been achieved, not given us pre-prescribed by you. This knowledge, however, has only added to our value problems.
When we were convinced that our values came directly from you, thinking about and dealing with them was relatively simple. You had defined and dictated them. All we had to do was decide whether or not we would respect and abide by them. Since they were backed by your authority, they were not to be questioned. They were absolutes.
This attitude has changed as human social experience has been subjected to scientific analysis. It has been recognized that humans have, from the beginning, had the decisive role in defining their values and establishing their institutions. Apparently, the valuing struggle has been an ever-changing, ongoing process. Obviously, you have not done the valuing for us, but have given us the ability to value and kept us relentlessly at the valuing task. Doubtless, our learning has resulted from the disciplining you have administered along the way.
Recognition of the human role in valuing, however, has made problems for us. We are uncertain and insecure, like children who have had their security blanket taken from them. We wonder if there are any value absolutes, or if all values are relative: to time, place, and the vagaries of human impulse.
Some persons have been tempted to rule out your influence, or even to deny your existence. Considering everything relative, they feel free to do more or less as they please.
Thank you, Our Creator, for giving us the freedom and responsibility of being our own valuers. Help us to be wise in their exercise. Give us the wit and wisdom to avoid moral chaos.
Help us to function free of the childishness of expecting you to do our valuing for us. Guide us through the jungles of relativism to mature understandings of reality. Guide us by your grace to discovery and celebration of what is supremely worthwhile, the things that have in them the quality of eternity.
In the name of Jesus, who helped us see so clearly the limitless value of love, Amen.
We have, in this new era, become aware of how our folkways, mores, values, and institutions were acquired. We now feel certain that they have been achieved, not given us pre-prescribed by you. This knowledge, however, has only added to our value problems.
When we were convinced that our values came directly from you, thinking about and dealing with them was relatively simple. You had defined and dictated them. All we had to do was decide whether or not we would respect and abide by them. Since they were backed by your authority, they were not to be questioned. They were absolutes.
This attitude has changed as human social experience has been subjected to scientific analysis. It has been recognized that humans have, from the beginning, had the decisive role in defining their values and establishing their institutions. Apparently, the valuing struggle has been an ever-changing, ongoing process. Obviously, you have not done the valuing for us, but have given us the ability to value and kept us relentlessly at the valuing task. Doubtless, our learning has resulted from the disciplining you have administered along the way.
Recognition of the human role in valuing, however, has made problems for us. We are uncertain and insecure, like children who have had their security blanket taken from them. We wonder if there are any value absolutes, or if all values are relative: to time, place, and the vagaries of human impulse.
Some persons have been tempted to rule out your influence, or even to deny your existence. Considering everything relative, they feel free to do more or less as they please.
Thank you, Our Creator, for giving us the freedom and responsibility of being our own valuers. Help us to be wise in their exercise. Give us the wit and wisdom to avoid moral chaos.
Help us to function free of the childishness of expecting you to do our valuing for us. Guide us through the jungles of relativism to mature understandings of reality. Guide us by your grace to discovery and celebration of what is supremely worthwhile, the things that have in them the quality of eternity.
In the name of Jesus, who helped us see so clearly the limitless value of love, Amen.
