Prayer: We Have Come From a Hundred Places

Olympic National Park, courtesy Ken Cockroft

 __God, here we are.  We have come from a hundred places, from the dark places in our soul where we wander alone, from the shadowed caves of our longing.  We have come here from the crowded, noisy city streets where voices clamor for our attention and demand our allegiance.  We have come here from the angry alleyways, where violence and injustice are allowed to happen, where the helpless are violated, where their cries for mercy echo in sudden silence.

And so our voices often seem to be swallowed in silence.  We wonder where you are, Jesus, friend of the poor, protector of the weak.  

__We have come here from a hundred places, because you have promised us we will never be alone.  We doubt, but where else can we go?  You have the words of life.  Sometimes we see your love and it is like the sound of the rushing of the water, they watching light that floods over the ocean at sunrise.  You call us from our places of doubt and sorrow, call to us with a shout: Come!  Come, you who are weary, and I will give you rest!*

__Come, those of you who thirst, come to the living water.  Are you hungry?  Come, you who have no money, and eat of my bread.*

So we must climb to our feet and walk on to meet you.  The way is long but travel with you is sweet.  We raise our faces to you, feeling your love like waterfall spray.  We find quiet places to sit among hidden flowers.  We see the sky passing above our heads and hear the call of birds.  We walk on, we run, to take hold of the hope offered to us.  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. 

__Shout with joy to God, all the earth!  Sing the glory of his name, make his praise glorious!  Say to God, How awesome are your deeds!  All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing praise to your name.  Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in our behalf!**

--klc

*Isaiah 55:1

**Psalm 66:1-5