Desperate

Lord,

We are a desperate people. We are desperate for safety and security.  We are desperate for health and material things. We are desperate for comfort. We are desperate for the wrong things.

We snub and we rob. We demean. We grasp after our wants greedily and selfishly.

Then we look outward and hear news. Black men are shot. Police officers are shot. Men, who lived, laughed, loved and were loved, are gone. Men, who knew joy and sadness, anger and fear, died at the hands of other men.

And we grow more desperate.

We hear more news. Children are missing and abandoned; women are raped; terrorists take slaves and blow up families.

And we grow more desperate.

We are desperate for peace.  We are desperate for love and unity.  We are desperate for healing. This time, we are desperate for higher things.

But we fight among ourselves. We take sides.  We look sideways at our neighbors in fear and distrust.  We blame; we pass judgement. We contribute to the noise by shouting and typing out our opinions and flawless arguments.

Yes, in our brokenness, we become desperate for the right things, but we do not pursue them rightly because we are not just desperate, we are a lost people.

We are desperate and lost… and without hope.

Yes, we are without hope… apart from you.

So, please, look on our brokenness and show us mercy.  Show us that we are alienated from each other because we do not abide in you.  Remind us that while we were your enemies, you died to save us.

In our brokenness, may we beg your forgiveness. Setting aside our entitlements, may we submit to your authority.  May we be desperate for your grace and mercy. In you may we find eternal life.

Remind us that love is patient and kind.  Just as you were patient and kind with us, may we be patient and show kindness to others.  Remind us to seek the good of others and show honor. Remind us to discard our records of wrongs against us.  Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven.

May we delight in truth and justice, and not evil.  May we hold on to our hope in you, as you faithfully hold on to us. May we persevere to the end.

And, please, keep us desperate. Keep us desperate for you, so that we may continue to seek you.  For you alone are the way, the truth, and the life. For you alone have shown us what it means to live justly and show mercy.

And, please, Lord Jesus, come soon.