Our Middle School students started the week by gathering in the Shrine for Prayers and Reflections for our World. The Fifth Class offered the following prayer:
We pray for all whose lives have been touched by tragedy, whether by accident or a deliberate act.
For those who mourn, immerse them in your love and
Lead them through this darkness into your arms and light.
For those who comfort, be in both the words they use and all that’s left unspoken;
Fill each heart with love.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, whose own suffering brought us life, here and for eternity. Amen.
©John Birch
The Sixth Class prayed:
God of wholeness, God of Grace, to you we bring our thanks and praise.
To a world that searches, you are a lamp that shines,
To a world that is hungry, you are food that sustains,
To a world that suffers, you are hope of release,
To a world that’s broken, you are one who restores,
To a world full of hate, you are love that forgives,
To a world that denies, you are truth that endures.
To you we bring our thanks and praise, God of wholeness, God of Grace. Amen.
©John Birch
The Seventh Class offered this prayer:
Lord of heaven and earth, of all nations and peoples, all faiths and no faith,
Reveal yourself to those who are suffering,
Reveal yourself to all who are refugees,
Reveal yourself to those who are powerful,
Reveal yourself to all who are powerless,
Reveal yourself to us, your chosen people in our everyday lives,
Reveal yourself so that this world might reflect your love and your glory. Amen.
©John Birch (adapted)
The Eighth Class prayed:
Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle;
The strength to be forgiving; the patience to be understanding;
And the endurance to accept the consequences of holding to what we believe to be right.
May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and
The power of love to overcome hatred.
We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from violence,
A new world where fear shall no longer lead people to commit injustice,
Nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.
Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy to the task of making peace,
Praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfill the destiny
For which we and all people were created. Amen.
©John Birch (adapted)
