Help Us to Live a Story – A Prayer by Susannah Morris
Susannah Morris, member of OPC, prayed this in Furman’s chapel service.
God who loves the world,
We come before you in this season of Lent as broken people,
In need of your grace,
But also as people whom you have called to be storytellers and actors in your
story,
The story of your revelation of power through all generations.
God, help us to live a story
Where you overturn tables of idolatry in our government, society, Church, and
selves,
So the oppressed will stand tall again,
And we will look through your eyes and see your image in all people.
God, help us to live a story
Where we feed the multitudes that have gathered all around,
So all will know that you are a God of plenty,
And we will share a feast as your guests at the banquet.
God, help us to live a story
Where the sick in body, mind, and spirit experience the healing of your touch,
So no one will suffer alone,
And we will know that you have already conquered the despair, sickness and
death of this world.
God, help us to live a story
Where we turn the other cheek,
So hate will meet the defiant love of your Spirit,
And we will live in peace as the children of one Creator.
God, help us to live a story
Where the winds and rains of our lives can’t topple our fragile boats,
So we will know that you are always with us,
And we will hear your voice crying, “Peace!” over the roaring of the waves and
crashing of thunder.
God, help us to live a story
Where we tell your story in our dorms, classrooms, and communities,
So all will know that you are love,
And we will transform your world with humility and grace.
God, we know that we are weak, sinful, and broken,
Fearful to walk this road to the cross,
But we have faith that we can live your story,
Because you have promised that you live in us.
We can walk this road because Christ walks beside us and within us, teaching us
to pray…