ON THE OCCASION OF A DISASTER

Compassionate God, whose Son Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus:

Draw near to us in this time of sorrow and anguish,

comfort those who mourn,

strengthen those who are weary,

encourage those in despair,

and lead us all to fullness of life;

through the same Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer,

who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.  Amen.

Readings

Job 14:7-13 or Jeremiah 31:15-20

Psalm 60 or 130 or 80:1-7 or 23

Romans 8:35-38 or Revelation 21:1-7 or Romans 8:18-25

Luke 6:20-26 or Mark 13:14-27

—Holy Women, Holy Men:  Celebrating the Saints (2010), 733

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IN A TIME OF NATURAL DISASTER

O God, you divided the waters of chaos at creation.

In Christ you stilled storms, raised the dead,

and vanquished demonic powers.

Tame the earthquake, wind, and fire,

and all forces that defy control or shock us by their fury.

Keep us from calling disaster your justice.

Help us, in good times and in distress,

to trust your mercy and yield to your power, this day and for ever.

Amen.

–Andy Langford, in The United Methodist Book of Worship (1992), 509

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DURING A NATIONAL CRISIS

God of ages,

in your sight nations rise and fall,

and pass through times of peril.

Now when our land is troubled,

be near to judge and save.

May leaders be led by your wisdom;

may they search your will and see it clearly.

If we have turned from your way,

help us to reverse our ways and repent.

Give us light and your your truth to guide us;

through Jesus Christ,

who is the Lord of this world, and our Savior.  Amen.

—Book of Common Worship (1993), 818

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TIME OF CONFLICT, CRISIS, DISASTER

O God, where hearts are fearful and constricted, grant courage and hope.

Where anxiety is infectious and widening, grant peace and reassurance.

Where impossibilities close every door and and window, grant imagination and resistance.

Where distrust twists our thinking, grant healing and illumination.

Where spirits are daunted and weakened, grand soaring wings and strengthened dreams.

All these things we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 76

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TIME OF CIVIC MOURNING

God our creator, through whose providing care we enjoy all goodness and life,

turn our eyes to your mercy at this time of confusion and loss.

Comfort this nation as we mourn;

shine your light on those whose only companion is darkness;

and teach us so to number our days that we may apply our hearts to your wisdom;

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

—Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006), 77

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https://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-covid-19-prayers/

https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2020/03/17/coronavirus-covid-19-prayers/

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I composed this prayer and selected the passages of scripture today because, while writing a post at SUNDRY THOUGHTS, not one of the available propers for martyrs seemed adequate, given the topic and my mood.

KRT

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Loving God, why do the just and innocent suffer?

We read and hear ancient theological answers to that question.

Regardless of the truth of any of those answers, they fail to satisfy.

Hasten the age of your justice, we pray, so that

the meek will inherit the earth,

we will beat our swords into plowshares and learn war no more,

artificial scarcity will cease, and

nobody else will have to suffer or die for the love of one’s neighbors.

In nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti.  Amen.

Joel 3:9-16

Psalm 70

Revelation 7:13-17

Luke 6:20-26

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MARCH 15, 2019 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT ZACHARY OF ROME, BISHOP OF ROME

THE FEAST OF SAINTS JAN ADALBERT BALICKI AND LADISLAUS FINDYSZ, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN POLAND

THE FEAST OF OZORA STEARNS DAVIS, U.S. CONGREGATIONALIST MINISTER, THEOLOGIAN, AND HYMN WRITER

THE FEAST OF VETHAPPAN SOLOMON, APOSTLE TO THE NICOBAR ISLANDS

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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2019/03/15/proper-for-christian-martyrs/

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Above:  The Hearth-Stone of the Poor–Waste Steam Not Wasted (1876), by Sol Eytinge, Jr.

Image Source = Library of Congress

Reproduction Number = LC-USZ62-106379

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I wrote this prayer today, during a time especially cold weather in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia.  There was a freeze warning last night.  Another one will follow tonight, with the promise of relatively warm, yet still cold, temperatures next week.  My home is a properly warm one, I am glad to say, but many people who live within a radius of a few miles are not as fortunate.  Meanwhile, Matthew 25:31-46 has been on my mind.

KRT

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Most compassionate God, father and mother whose quality is to be merciful,

we pray for all those who suffer from exposure to the elements.

Many of us who enjoy proper shelter take our manifold blessings for granted.

Those much less fortunate than we are might even live in close proximity to us

and we might dwell in blissful obliviousness to this reality.

Thus, when the cold, the heat, the snow, the wind, and the rain come

many of our fellow children of God do suffer mightily

as we, in our homes, enjoy a different reality

and might be unaware of this fact or just choose not to recognize it.

May our communities become more just.

 May we care for each other more effectively,

provide necessary and morally proper opportunities to our neighbors,

and obey the commandments of our brother, Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ,

to his glory and the benefit of our communities.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JANUARY 8, 2015 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT THORFINN OF HAMAR, ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP

THE FEAST OF GALILEO GALILEI, SCIENTIST

THE FEAST OF HARRIET BEDELL, EPISCOPAL DEACONESS

THE FEAST OF NATE SAINT AND THE OTHER MARTYRS OF THE ECUADOR MISSION, PROTESTANT MISSIONARIES

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https://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2015/01/08/a-prayer-for-those-who-suffer-from-exposure-to-the-elements/

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Above:  Marie and Randolph the Teddy Bears, July 3, 2013

Image Taken Via My Computer Camera

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Love, O God,

was a state into which I doubted once that I might fall.

When it did begin to occur,

I needed over a year to understand what was happening to me.

This love has enabled me to aid my beloved

(with admittedly limited success sometimes) under difficult circumstances,

but it did empower me to that much

–which mattered at the time–

at least.

Love, by which I delight in her,

requires much of me and has hurt.

Yet it has persisted.

And it has made me a better man,

a rejuvenated person,

and a grateful individual.

Thank you.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 4, 2013 COMMON ERA

PROPER 13–THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR C

THE FEAST OF J. ROBERT HARRIS, SOUTHERN BAPTIST WITNESS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN BAPTIST VIANNEY, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-love/

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Above:  Memorial Day, 1923

Image Source = Library of Congress

(http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/npc2007008661/)

Reproduction Number = LC-DIG-npcc-08662

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Loving God, we mourn those who have died in wars.

May we cease to cause needless deaths,

and may those necessary deaths occur only in the service of justice and freedom,

so that so many future deaths in that cause will prove unnecessary.

In the name of Jesus, who conquered death;

who came to serve and not to be served;

who lived, died, and rose again for the redemption of generations not yet born;

and whose ethical teachings challenge us still.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

MAY 26, 2013 COMMON ERA

TRINITY SUNDAY:  THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR C

THE FEAST OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

THE FEAST OF SAINT PHILIP NERI, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/a-prayer-for-memorial-day-u-s-a/

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Above:  Flag of Syria

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Recent events in Syria and Egypt have prompted me to ponder how to address them at this blog.  Here is my chosen manner:  sharing two prayers from the Book of Common Worship (1993), of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).  They apply to many other circumstances as well.  Perhaps a response which is somewhat timeless is the best one.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JUNE 27, 2012 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF CORNELIUS HILL, ONEIDA CHIEF AND EPISCOPAL PRIEST

THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN THE GEORGIAN, ABBOT; AND SAINTS EUTHYMIUS OF ATHOS AND GEORGE OF THE BLACK MOUNTAIN, ABBOTS AND TRANSLATORS

THE FEAST OF PHILIP MELANCHTON, GERMAN LUTHERAN THEOLOGIAN [WITH THE PRESENTATION OF THE AUGSBURG CONFESSION]

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For Governments of the World

 High God, holy God:

you rule the ways of peoples,

and govern every earthly government.

Work with those who work for peace.

Make every person in authority an agent of your reconciliation,

and every diplomat an ambassador of hope.

Bring peace and goodwill among all people,

fulfilling among us the promise made

in Jesus Christ, who was born to save the world.  Amen.

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In a Time of International Crisis

Eternal God, our only hope,

our help in times of trouble:

show nations ways to work out differences.

Do not let threats multiply

or power be used without compassion.

May your will overrule human willfulness,

so that people may agree and settle claims peacefully.

Hold back those who are impulsive,

lest desire for vengeance overwhelm our common welfare.

Bring peace to earth, through Jesus Christ,

the Prince of Peace and Savior of us all.  Amen.

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And I pray especially for all who suffer as the result of conflicts internal to nation-states.  May tyrants cease to oppress, and may more people enjoy the blessings of good government.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

Above:  Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Covington, Georgia, August 28, 2011

Image Source = Bill Monk, Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

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When the light of our faith grows dim,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

When stresses mount,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

When guilt overwhelms us or threatens to do so,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

When grief overwhelms us or threatens to do so,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

When our enemies plot against us,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

When agents of perfidy are active against us,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

When honest and well-intentioned people with poor aim and/or bad or partial information target us,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

When people blinded by fear and/or prejudice target us,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

When we think we are on your side but are not,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

When we entertain resentful and/or vengeful thoughts, which take us away from you,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

Whenever we stray from you,

Strengthen us, good Lord.

Strengthen us to serve you, good Lord.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

FEBRUARY 6, 2012 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF SAINT MARCUS AURELIUS CLEMENS PRUDENTIUS, POET AND HYMN WRITER

THE FEAST OF GEORGE VI, KING OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND

THE FEAST OF SAINT VEDAST (VAAST), ROMAN CATHOLIC BISHOP OF ARRAS AND CAMBRAI

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http://neatnik2009.wordpress.com/2012/02/03/true-grit-2010/

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2012/05/10/strengthen-us-good-lord/

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Above:  Wedding Rings

Image Source = Jeff Belmonte

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Wedding_rings.jpg)

Prayer Source = Lutheran Service Book (2006)

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O Lord Jesus, Your mercies are new every morning.

We thank You for another year of married life together for name and name.

Open their hearts always to receive more of Your love

that their love for each other may never grow weary

but deepen and grow through every joy and sorrow shared;

for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now forever.  Amen.

Above:  A Birthday Cake

Image Source = Vikas Bhardwaj

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ed/Happy_Birthday%21.jpg)

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Dear Lord, thank you for birthdays.

Thank you for the past and the present, with all their blessings.

Thank you for all the positive which has flowed from the negative and the painful.

Thank you for occasions to mark time and reflect on the past and the present.

May the remainder of our lives be replete with your best for each of us,

may each of us be a blessing to others, and may others be blessings to each of us.  AMEN.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

JANUARY 30, 2012 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF LESSLIE NEWBIGIN, UNITED REFORMED THEOLOGIAN

THE FEAST OF SAINT BATHILDAS, QUEEN OF FRANCE

THE FEAST OF CHARLES I, KING OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND, AND MARTYR

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/06/17/a-birthday-prayer/

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Above:  Christ in the House of Martha and Mary, by Jan Vermeer

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Dear Lord,

who was a friend of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany,

thank you for friends.

Thank you

for all we do for them

and all they do for us.

May we continue to cherish each other

for our mutual benefit and your glory.

Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

OCTOBER 20, 2011 COMMON ERA

THE FEAST OF JOHN HARRIS BURT, EPISCOPAL PRIEST

THE FEAST OF BERTILLA BOSCARDIN, ROMAN CATHOLIC NUN AND NURSE

THE FEAST OF TARORE OF WAHAORA, ANGLICAN MARTYR IN AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND

http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-friends/