One of the most human and poignant moments in television history is provided by Father Mulcahy in the show M*A*S*H*. When the camp is in a full-blown medical emergency the priest asks what he can do to help and is told to pray, His quick response is, "Aww, that's all I ever get to do!" In the moment he wants to do more, be more and participate more. He knows the importance of prayer, but in that moment wants to be prayer in action. Often people draw me into their lives by asking me to pray for people and situations that matter to them. I have come to accept that as a great compliment. Sometimes they give me painstaking detail as to the person and their particular need. Other times the details are left anonymous. The following is one of the prayers I use to pray a prayer that connects me with others and, most importantly, with God:
Create in us, all of us, Dear God, a clean heart. Wash our bodies and our spirits and vanquish all sickness from within us and from without. As the rain falls gently on the earth, let your healing also rain upon our parched and arid bodies and souls. Be re-born in us. Again. And again.
For those whose bodies are sick, bring your healing salve. Touch broken bones, soothe aching joints and treat them with the medications of patience and care. Where there is pain, bring comfort; where there is a need for rehabilitation, grant endurance.
For those whose minds are sick, calm disquieted thoughts; and order the chaos of disturbed visions and numbing memories. Reach out to them, Lord, for there are many “demons” possessing your children. Demons of addiction and desire. Demons slipping in through the cracks of hopelessness and despair.
For those whose hearts are sick, administer your own CPR. Many are heart-sick for an Eden we must see only with eyes of faith. Make room in each and every heart. Prepare in them room for the Babe in the Stable; the Child in the Temple; the Carpenter in the Workshop; the Teacher of the Twelve; the Lamb on the Cross; and the Lord on Your Throne.
Some of those we mention are known to us, and loved, O God. Others of them we will never know. But they are known to You. Help us to love them as You do. Through Jesus we pray. Amen.
Create in us, all of us, Dear God, a clean heart. Wash our bodies and our spirits and vanquish all sickness from within us and from without. As the rain falls gently on the earth, let your healing also rain upon our parched and arid bodies and souls. Be re-born in us. Again. And again.
For those whose bodies are sick, bring your healing salve. Touch broken bones, soothe aching joints and treat them with the medications of patience and care. Where there is pain, bring comfort; where there is a need for rehabilitation, grant endurance.
For those whose minds are sick, calm disquieted thoughts; and order the chaos of disturbed visions and numbing memories. Reach out to them, Lord, for there are many “demons” possessing your children. Demons of addiction and desire. Demons slipping in through the cracks of hopelessness and despair.
For those whose hearts are sick, administer your own CPR. Many are heart-sick for an Eden we must see only with eyes of faith. Make room in each and every heart. Prepare in them room for the Babe in the Stable; the Child in the Temple; the Carpenter in the Workshop; the Teacher of the Twelve; the Lamb on the Cross; and the Lord on Your Throne.
Some of those we mention are known to us, and loved, O God. Others of them we will never know. But they are known to You. Help us to love them as You do. Through Jesus we pray. Amen.
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