Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake their way, and the unrighteous their thoughts; let them return to the Lord, that he may have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

“How Long, O God, How Long,” Community of Christ Sings 455

How long, O God, how long?
The ancient cry is ours.
We wait in grief and ask how long before we feel your powers.

And why, O God, and why?
We ask with every age
and throw against your distant sky the force of grief and rage.

The cross, O God, the cross!
We think about your Son:
you know the weight and edge of loss; your tears and ours are one.

Your hand, O God, your hand!
We need your hand to hold,
to walk this dark, uncharted land where solid meanings fold.

We trust, O God, we trust
in time our grief shall mend.
Transformed by love that shaped our dust, your love that knows no end.

Words: Thomas H. Troeger, 1945–
© 1986 Oxford University Press

Prayer Phrase

“Happy are those who observe justice” (Psalm 106:3).

Healing and Reconciliation

Gather a small mound of stones. Meditate on the stones as symbols of differences and destructive acts that continue to separate and wound the human family. Name and anoint each “stone wound” with a drop of water or scented oil. Offer them to God in a prayer for healing and reconciliation.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.