A Lament For Our World
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever?
How long will you high your face from me?
How long will I be left to my own wits,
agony filling my heart? Daily?
How long will my enemy keep defeating me?
Look at me!
Answer me, Lord my God!
Restore sight in my eyes!
Otherwise, I’ll sleep the sleep of death,
and my enemy will say, “I won!”
My foes will rejoice over my downfall.
But I have trusted in your faithful love.
My heart will rejoice in your salvation
Yea, I will sing to the Lord
because he has been good to me.
Psalm 13, Common English Bible
A Lament for Our World
O God, why have you deserted us, your children?
You claim to have created all in your image, but obviously some are different.
You have let some be smart, some outgoing;
You have let some be slow to learn or withdrawn and non-communicative;
It almost seems as if you have made some evil. Why?
O God, why have you deserted us, your children?
The child of privilege is killed and wounded
as is the child of the immigrant, son of a black mother or a stranger in our land.
Anyone can buy a gun, even those who have been labeled unfit.
Our campuses are unsafe as well as our cities, workplaces and even our churches.
Why do you let this happen, O God? Why?
O God, why have you deserted us, your children?
There is much grief – for students, for teachers, for parents.
There is much concern for the rights of the mentally ill, but has it gone too far?
There is labeling of individuals by their race or status by police and authorities
All are victims. Why have you let these evils loose again? Why, O God?
O God, why have you deserted us, your children?
We are tired of weeping.
We are tired of trying to see a would-be shooter in our midst, for we can’t.
We are discouraged by the ease in which guns can be purchased and used.
We are sick of violence, hatred, war, police brutality and white supremacy.
Where are you God
God, please take charge of this your world now!
Cleanse it and us of evil.
Share with us your passion for justice.
Help those who need your special love and care.
Keep your promise of presence in this our time of need.
Make us lovers of our “enemies” and peace-seekers instead of hawks of war.
Get busy now, O God! You are needed now!
God, we know that you are a God of mercy and love.
God, you have done and continue to do many wondrous things.
God, we know you will protect and guide us, your children.
We praise you and give you thanks. Amen
Joyce D. Sohl, Laywoman-in-Residence
Joyce D. Sohl has been Laywoman-in-Residence since 2009 as a full-time volunteer. She retired as CEO of United Methodist Women in 2004. She is the author of 4 books, a teacher, retreat leader, writer and non-professional musician. Here at the Center her work is in the area of Spirituality & the Arts with such programs as Tuesdays in the Chapel, Vespers & All That Jazz, Poet’s Corner, quarterly retreats, and art exhibits.
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