2023-02-25 A Prayer: Welcome

O Lord, we walk into Your light, in gratitude that You left a light on for us. In gratitude that You tolerated our poor manner and that You went with a posture of compassion instead of meticulous judgment. For, You see us by now familiar with exclusion. See us each bearing some trauma of that same kind of judgment and exclusion. But help us grow as the walls come down, as our debt is paid, as You change Your mind as to what sins we put on display, and as You leave us with the proof that our posture and reality is now okay. Because of Jesus, and because of a loving gesture. All we need is that loving gesture. A little oxygen. A little nod in greeting. Somehow we are attributing the very best unto ourselves, because of a friend who says hello. Somehow we are blustery with cleansed manners, inner rambunctious hovel right now a peace space, a determined assembly of will and manner and decision and patience. We flourish, and step forth, no longer treading so lightly due to former fears. We have heard that You minister compassion, space, peace, acceptance, and all that is a right cause for thanksgiving.

We pray all this in Your Name, Amen.