2022-12-16 A Prayer: Little Fortresses

O Lord, in so many ways You have undone our little fortresses. See that we choose that nectar that has no expiration, no limited supply; Lord, see how tempting it is to dress down another, to be the jumpier one in the mix, jumpy to criticize for sins. And see that this preaches a message, but is it a message we want? That is, who knows Your mysteries, but to be sharp, critical, to send the sin in one direction off into the wilderness, and to abide now cleansed in what remains, is healing. But are we to look here, when we also have untold riches to mine and discover? Riches—grant us certainty—that are orbiting a soul generous, contrite, self-accusing rather than finger-pointing at others. See us with unlimited potential to bless, always knowing life is in a tug-of-war in the opposite direction. And grant us to glide past so much falling away, so much punctilious legal observance, so much that is levied our way.

See the ability to change direction and focus on someone’s good qualities. See the ability to say a remark that is self-humbling. See the meaningful invite. See us no longer assume that some people need no humbling; all have sins. It is no sin to long for a friendship or for human contact. If that is a sin, help us not criticize each other, but know that all will be reckoned true and correct when that Other word is spoken; we already know our weaknesses, and that Other word is said in faith that when blessed, people self-correct. In the presence of Love, we bring all manner of detritus to the table, all kinds of rejectamenta, all those ways we can all share a laugh. But please, no criticism that is too sharp; let that form and develop wings to soar on its own initiative, not the butcher’s eagerness to find fault. So grant us to love one another.

We pray all this in Your Name, Amen.