God,
You promise joy, and joy you give. But how can we say it to others?
Sometimes ourselves we struggle to find.
But it is there.
In the return home. In the familiar carol.
In the small splurge we no more can afford.
In the smile of our children.
These are true, and they are good. Even when absent, we know they are real.
Just as you are.
So should we shout out: Merry Christmas!
Or whisper like a secret shared?
The in-between irony, a good middle ground,
The great incarnation for lives that are tired.
Worn out. Tattered. Shabby. Used.
Mehry Christmas.
These also are real. And true, even when we believe they are absent.
Then, as now.
Joy. Inbreaking. A world of drab.
Much we can do in our efforts to fix it.
A deal to trade judge for six parliament seats.
And then meet together, a loan to secure.
Even the nations, united, come visit.
Encouragement. Warnings. More of the same.
God only you know if the rumors are real.
But even when absent, the plan behind doors.
Not yours, God.
You place it on a lampstand. You shout it from the roof.
Go. Tell it on the mountain.
And you are with us, to the end of the age.
God, maybe a deal would fix things. Maybe it got foiled.
You free us, God, to dive right in.
But yet, to float above.
Bless the hands grubby from grime and from sweat. From trying to budge the unbending.
But chastise, God, the dirty.
Your counsel hard—to cut it off—lest two-handed Hades await them.
For too many, hell is here now.
It is real. But it is not true.
You are with us.
Joy.
It deserves to be whispered.
Amen.
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Lebanon Prayer places before God the major events of the previous week, asking his favor for the nation living through them.
It seeks for values common to all, however differently some might apply them. It honors all who strive on her behalf, however suspect some may find them.
It offers no solutions, but desires peace, justice, and reconciliation. It favors no party, but seeks transparency, consensus, and national sovereignty.
How God sorts these out is his business. Consider joining in prayer that God will bless the people and establish his principles, from which all our approximations derive.
Sometimes prayer can generate more prayer. While mine is for general principles, you may have very specific hopes for Lebanon. You are welcome to post these here as comments, that others might pray with you as you place your desires before God.
If you wish to share your own prayer, please adhere to the following guidelines:
1) The sincerest prayers are before God alone. Please consult with God before posting anything.
2) If a prayer of hope, strive to express a collective encouragement.
3) If a prayer of lament, strive to express a collective grief.
4) If a prayer of anger, refrain from criticizing specific people, parties, sects, or nations. While it may be appropriate, save these for your prayers alone before God.
5) In every prayer, do your best to include a blessing.
I will do my best to moderate accordingly. Thank you for praying for Lebanon and her people.
Jayson Casper 