2022-11-18 A Prayer: Simply Friend

O Lord, make us to recognize a friend; make us to be shy about that kind of quarreling that occurs betwixt brothers, between those close, amongst the similarly-poised. We are similar, yet for lack of clear discernment, see no friend but rather infighting and distraction. Help us always to cope with our own humanity, as a missive, an intelligence dossier, on those whom You set in opposition to us; we know their muddle precisely because we have today become cognisant of our own capacity for sin.

Lord, speedily we emerge from many-a pause, many-a hangup, many-a delay unto resolution, when such resolution is not admissible: we need resolve and solution here and now, no time to fuss. So we dig deeper and go broader than the opponent, than the chattering classes; we hear oblivion and denial early, whilst the general woman or man only hears appropriate speech; we balk and are upset, incontinent at avenues we simply cannot go down without affront to our conscience. You become guide to us. You cause us to hear chattering most ill, gossip most unrefined, boastful pride most indecorous.

Simple things, today we pass over unto You, no longer trying to outdo one another but grateful for those windows that have opened that are filled with billowing goodness and sanity. Filled with good intentions and mutual upbuilding. Filled with eager employ and getting down to business. Yet see us as we languish, forgetful of just how finite is our capacity to see the “big picture”, to hold in memory so much. Instead this day we pass off so much unto Trust, unto none of our concern, unto worthless worrying. You catch us when we are too proud in and of ourself. You love us with determined patience and love. You teach us, and lead us, and we begin to see the world, to see ourselves, as others do: themselves finite and egotistic and searching for simpler climes. Searching, each of us, for things that ease or flatter us, whilst greater Victory is accomplished in You, according to You goodness overwhelming, filling, saturating our finitude. So we tap into the eternal. Thank you.

We pray all this in Your Name, Amen.