Prayer for the Week: April 28, 2013

Peter’s vision of all the unclean animals suddenly being placed ‘on the table’ of what God calls “clean,” opens him to visiting the gentile Cornelius. While there, the Holy Spirit falls on Cornelius and his family just as it had on the Jewish disciples, and Peter asks himself, “who am I to hinder God?” The church–this one, and every other faith community–has to ask itself the same question, “Who are we to hinder God? About whom are we inadvertantly or deliberately blind to the ways that God is calling them into service and sending the Holy Spirit?” Here is a prayer for openness to the workings of God, despite what might be our past or present concerns. May it be a blessing for all our week to come.

God of good and hard work, help your church to rise above the barriers to love. Help us tunnel under them to clasp hands with those who suffer too. Help us neither erect hindrance to your grace, nor cower behind walls of religious hypocrisy. Help us see beyond, help us BE beyond the divisions that wrack people and dishonor churches. Only your presence makes any of us “whole” or “worthy;” Only extending your love, confessing our mistakes, offering your forgiveness, and healing the world’s wounds makes us ‘children’ and truly gives you glory. So help us step over and out as we rise to your call. And by your work in us, may all those in need, know your work in the world. Help them know us by our love, Lord, wondrous, healing love.    –Rev. Kent Gilbert