Sundays in Lent
Prayer
Pastoral Prayers For All Seasons
Object:
We suppose, our Creator, it is a great joy to be on stage and receive a standing ovation from hundreds, even thousands, of people. What joy to be given a coveted medal on some state occasion by the president of our country. But what are the expected joys in our lives?
One of them, we are convinced, is a baby's smile in response to our antics. We can block out everything and everyone about us to see if we can elicit that beautiful, innocent smile. As you know, Father, we can offer all kinds of silly behavior, strange sounds, and funny faces just to get the reward of one of those smiles. Even though the smile may last but a few seconds, we feel it was worth all the effort we put into our absurd little act. Flushed with victory we tell our friends, "There's nothing more beautiful than a baby's smile."
God, what would we be willing to do to gain your smile? We suppose that the silly things we do spontaneously and gladly for a baby are not in order. But what can we do? We have learned from the scriptures and the teachings of our faith that we can bring ourselves to you daily, offering ourselves to your service, studying and learning what your will is for us. Then we can reach that point where we are not distracted by others as we pursue our relationship with you, wherever it leads. In short, giving ourselves to you whole heartedly.
Peter was ecstatic when he saw Jesus, in his glory, talking with Moses and Elijah on the mountain top. Is it possible that we can see Christ in his glory, smiling on us in response to our efforts at love and prompting a joy that we can scarcely imagine?
In hope of the Master's smile we offer this prayer. Amen.
One of them, we are convinced, is a baby's smile in response to our antics. We can block out everything and everyone about us to see if we can elicit that beautiful, innocent smile. As you know, Father, we can offer all kinds of silly behavior, strange sounds, and funny faces just to get the reward of one of those smiles. Even though the smile may last but a few seconds, we feel it was worth all the effort we put into our absurd little act. Flushed with victory we tell our friends, "There's nothing more beautiful than a baby's smile."
God, what would we be willing to do to gain your smile? We suppose that the silly things we do spontaneously and gladly for a baby are not in order. But what can we do? We have learned from the scriptures and the teachings of our faith that we can bring ourselves to you daily, offering ourselves to your service, studying and learning what your will is for us. Then we can reach that point where we are not distracted by others as we pursue our relationship with you, wherever it leads. In short, giving ourselves to you whole heartedly.
Peter was ecstatic when he saw Jesus, in his glory, talking with Moses and Elijah on the mountain top. Is it possible that we can see Christ in his glory, smiling on us in response to our efforts at love and prompting a joy that we can scarcely imagine?
In hope of the Master's smile we offer this prayer. Amen.
