Author: lleffler

Come, gather round,
for the story I am about to tell you belongs to all Christians;
It is a story of our past,
but it is a dark story.
It is not a story of love and sunshine and rainbows.
It is a story of fear and hatred and discrimination.

God gave us the Bible to share the history and story of God’s covenant with us.
It tells of creation, of building nations, of prophets and poets.
It teaches us about Jesus who came to earth so that we would know God more fully,
so that we would love each other more deeply.
It was a book meant to unite all people
but we used it to spread hate.

We took the words and twisted them
to cause words
to create shame
to create false hierarchies
to judge
to hate.

We used the words to justify killing anyone who does not know God the same way we do.
We used the words to justify enslaving people because they looked, spoke, or acted differently.
We used the words to justify shaming women for their life-giving sexuality in an attempt to control them.
We used the words to justify telling people that their sexuality is a sin, tearing families apart.
We used the words to justify telling people their gender identity isn’t real – making it unsafe for people to be their authentic selves.
We used the words to justify hoarding wealth while others starve claiming it is a gift that comes from God.
There has been centuries abuse, violence and hate all perpetuated in God’s name.

We have failed to uphold God’s covenant with us.
We have failed to love each other.
We have failed to care for creation.
It is time to be called to account.
To admit our past mistakes.
To ask for forgiveness
and to make positive change.
God has given us so much
and asks for so little in return.
We must do God’s work in the world.
We cannot pretend that this history is not a part of who we are.
We must claim it and we must make reparations.
It is time to finally live into our covenant with God…
…to live our lives in love.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+78&version=NRSV

God, hear my prayers,
be with me now this night.
I look for you everywhere throughout the day,
but in the chaos and the clutter of life I lose sight of you.
At night I raise my voice in prayer,
but I wonder if you can hear me at all.

I toss and turn,
trying to find rest,
but I am bombarded of images that keep me awake…
…things I said…
…things I should have said…
…things I should have said differently.
I look to you for respite from this endless loop of self doubt,
But I find none.
Have you forgotten me?

I have not forgotten you.
I have not forgotten how you blessed Abraham and Sarah with a child to father nations,
how you rescued their descendants from slavery and led them to a new home.
I have not forgotten how you sent prophets to speak your truths
and give directions to your people.
I have not forgotten how you sent you son, Jesus, to show us the way,
so that all people would know your love.

Everywhere I look I see your hand,
in the beauty of creation,
in the mighty mountains and majestic forests,
in the vast oceans and rolling plains,
in the incredible deserts and the picturesque skies,
in the compassion of your people,
in the love between friends and family,
in the compassion for a stranger,
in the support for each other;
In so many places I see your hand at work,
Open my heart to the places that you are at work in my life,
So that I may know you more fully.
Amen

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+77&version=NRSV

God is known by many names,
Mother, Father, Teacher, Guide, Parent, Friend,
Spirit, Holy Mystery, Creator, Source of Life, Root of Our Being,
God is many things – some we understand, some that are beyond our comprehension –
but God’s greatness shines through all our attempts to define God.

God’s glory is at the core of all things.
I see God in the majesty of the mountains,
I see God in the otherworldly light of a forest,
I see God in the stillness of the sea on a calm day,
and in the power of the waves in the wind.

For God is calm, serene, peaceful,
But God is also power, majesty, strength
and I see God to in places of protesting injustice,
of righteous anger,
of standing up to oppressors.

I see God in the passion of a Black Lives Matter march,
I see God in the courage of a #MeToo voice,
I see God in the commitment of walking in a Pride parade,
I see God in calling out financial injustice and in demanding a living wage,
I see God in all the voices crying out against injustice
and I give thanks for a God that stirs us from placidness,
that stirs that embers within us
until they are roaring flames
consuming injustices
and demanding equity for all!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+76&version=NRSV

God, you called this world into being,
Breathing life into creation,
Binding all things together with your wondrous Spirit.
God, we praise you for creation.

Then you called to us to care for that creation.
Offering us conscious thought and independent attention.
Teaching us to live and to love.
God, we praise you for the gifts you have given us.

But, God, so often we fall short of that calling.
We do not respect the resources you have created.
We undervalue the life of the plants and animals we live among.
And we fail to care for our fellow humans.
God, forgive us for these trespasses.

God, you save us by your grace.
You sent us your son so we would know your forgiveness,
And to remind us how to live justly.
God, we thank you for your guidance.

You will be with us until the end of days.
Showing us how to be our best selves,
And preparing us for whatever comes next.
God, we praise you for your Holy Mystery.

God, we sing your praises,
for the lessons of the past,
for the gift of the present,
and the mystery of the future.
We sing praises in gratitude of your unceasing love.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+75&version=NRSV

God, have you abandoned us, your people?
For generations we have worshipped you.
Make your presence known to us.
Save us from the desecration of your church.

For there are too many who preach hate in your name,
who use your word to justify their violence.
They claim to be inspired by your love
but they perpetuate so many injustices.
They claim to care for your people but…
…they encourage laws that allow people to go hungry…
…they hoard riches at the expense of others…
…they exclude people who don’t fit their “perfect” mold…
…they excommunicate people for having the “wrong kind” of loving relationship…
…they attack people for expressing their gender identity…
…they create and propagate systems of racial injustice…
…so much hurt is caused in the world by people who claim to follow you.

How much longer will you allow this hatred to infiltrate your church?
Spreading like a disease,
Cutting people off from your love.
Is this the face of the Christian church now?
Can you not speak out against these injustices?

You have been with us since the dawn of time;
Creating a world for us to live in
with lush forests, vast oceans, rolling plains,
all teeming with energy and life.
You set your people free,
offering them a new home,
a new life.

Remember the covenant you made to you people,
and free us from this tyranny
that has infected your church.
Help us rebuild ourselves as a community of care,
so that we can create a space where all people may know you
without fear of discrimination or hate!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+74&version=NRSV

It is easy to see God works with the righteous
who are pure of heart and follow Christ’s Way,
But am I any use to God when I struggle to stay on that path?
When I am envious of the wealthy and long for their material goods.

I see the nice cars, big houses, fancy clothes and I want those things too.
But so often those things came at the expense of others.
Business owners who are making millions,
while their employees can barely the necessities.
Landlords who own multiple properties charging exorbitant rents,
forcing people to live on the streets.
Government officials expensing fancy meals,
while their constituents are starving.

When I see these imbalances in the world
I sometimes wonder where God is all of this.
How can God allow this to happen?
Is God with these people making them so prosperous?

God is with them because God is with all of us,
But God has not gifted them with their riches.
God is beside them calling out and asking them to share their prosperity.
God is calling them to open their hearts to God’s love.

And God is calling out to me too;
Reminding me that God’s love is of more value than any riches.
Being a part of a community is worth more than any big house,
Helping those in need brings more joy than any fancy car,
Sharing God’s love with others is better than any stylish clothing.
God catches me when I stumble and puts me back on my true path
and there is nothing in this world that is better than that!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+73&version=NRSV

Offer your wisdom to our leaders, O God,
Help them know your compassion and your justice,
to offer support to the poor,
and inspire generosity in the wealthy,
to offer care and healing to the sick.
Give the courage to break down systems of injustice
and rebuild a world on the foundation of equity.

Offer you wisdom to leaders all around the world.
Where officials are elected,
help us to choose leaders who will follow your path.
Where leaders are born into there role,
inspire them to follow a path of wisdom and love.
Help every person in every nation to know your love
and to live lives free of fear and tyranny.

God, you reveal yourself to us in many different ways;
Through different religions and schools of thought;
Help our leaders and policy makers know and follow you
in whatever way holds meaning for them.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+72&version=NRSV

In you, O God, I find my home;
Let me find my rest and safety in you.
Protect me and wrap me in your love,
Surrounding me like a warm blanket
on a cold winter’s day.

Protect me for those who would do me harm.
Help them to see the errors in their ways.
For since my first days of on this earth
you have offered me love and guidance;
Love and guidance that has seen me through
the most challenging days of my life,
And so, I sing your praises!

I will continue to sing your praises for all of my days.
Stay with me through my journey,
Because you kingdom has not yet come on earth;
We do not yet live in world where all are loved and cared for.
We still live under the threat of inequity and violence,
So I need your shelter and protection.

Stay right by my side,
So I can call out to you in times of need,
And celebrate with you in times of abundance.
In times of sorrow and in times of joy,
In times of fear and in times of strength,
In times of brokenness and in times of peace,
You are right here beside me.
For that I will sing your praises,
As long as I have breath left to sing.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+71&version=NRSV

God, hurry to my side,
I need your support.
Stand with me against the people
who try to diminish me with shame;
People who try to force me into their narrow boxes
to suit some ridiculous, small-minded social standard.
Help them to see the error of their ways
and open their hearts to live lives of love.

For all who live their lives in your love can rejoice;
Knowing that you offer love and support to all.
With your guidance we can create a world
where everyone is free to be just as you made them.
But that day has not yet come, O God,
So be with me as I face the trials of day to day living.
For I know that with you by my side
I will have the strength to carry on.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+70&version=NRSV