In the scriptures for this week there are potent examples of faithful people trying to do what is right: sometimes well, and sometimes less well. Esther, takes courage and uses her position to save her people. Meanwhile, the disciples in the Gospel of Mark, try to stop someone healing demons in Jesus name whom they did not know. Jesus rebukes them and tells them not to impede anyone trying to do good. Here is the prayer we used in worship mulling over these passages.
Holy one, at times it’s hard to tell if we are for you or against you. We hope to be strong followers, able leaders, kin-dom builders…but sometimes the job description seems impossibly hard to decipher, or impossibly hard to do. This week we pray for inspiration for ourselves: in our work, in our relationships, in our struggles with health, or with our demons: put some breath in us and remind us of the reasons following you matters. In the face of children who receive loving care, remind us. In the face of elders embraced by a community even wider than their family, remind us. In the turnover of wrong to right, remind us of the better world that you sent a Christ to bring forth. Help us let go of that which does not heal this world or ourselves. Help us cut out the hurtful habits, and take up the purpose of justice and joy. Strengthen us body mind and soul so we can, and grant us that improbable peace that comes to the unqualified doing the impossible. We know it’s you who inspires and “in-spirits.” Bless your people, Mother and Father of us all. –Kent Gilbert
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