A prayer for times such as these...

In a week where climate change and political corruption seem to dominate, and, in my own preparations for Sunday worship and reflecting on a widow's mites, a prayer...

I would praise you

but in times like these, 

praise is hard.

I would praise you

but all around, politicians lie, cronyism is rife,

and those in power care little for the least of these.

I would praise you

but worldwide, oil spills kill,

ice caps melt, temperatures rise,

and apathy and greed are killing our planet.

I would praise you

but everywhere, COVID creates fear,

the poor are still poor,

and refugees flee their homes,

looking for safe harbours to take them in.

I would praise you

for in times so hard,

 praise is all I have.

I would praise you for all around, leaders fail and fall

and only you are faithful, and reign forever.

I would praise you

for worldwide, even marred,

 creation bears your imprint

and your sheer will holds and heals it still.

I would praise you

for everywhere you watch over widows,

 strangers, orphans

and feed the hungry,

and lift the ones bowed down. 

I would praise you

because in times so hard,

times like these,

praise is both call to faith and call to action.

I would praise you

because all around mortal plans crumble into dust

and your promise lasts for all generations.

I would praise you

because worldwide, you sustain all that is

and lives, and moves, and has its being.

I would praise you

because everywhere, you champion the oppressed

and bring the light of hope into the darkest places.

I would praise you

even when, at times, the offering of praise is made

through gritted teeth.

I would praise you. 

       Nik Macdonald 2021