Listen

Lord God of heavenly forces, how long will you fume against your people’s prayer? You’ve fed them bread made of tears; you’ve given them tears to drink three times over! You’ve put us at odds with our neighbors; our enemies make fun of us. Restore us, God of heavenly forces! Make your face shine so that we can be saved!

Psalm 80:4-7

Think

These words may seem a bit out of place to us in a season of hope, peace, love, and joy. Yet they are ones we all come to at some point in our lives. We wonder how long it will be until things change, how long it will be until God does something about the suffering in our world or our own lives. Tears are our food and drink.

Today’s scripture reminds us: we don’t have to pretend with God. We are loved fully and unconditionally. God is big enough to handle our questions and honest words. Scripture includes many prayers crying out to God about what is wrong and broken in the world, while also asking God to step in and make things right.

Today, take time to cry out to God about the pain in the world and even in your own life. Ask God to bring healing and set things right. But be prepared: one of the ways God might want to do this is by working through your hands, feet, and voice.

Chris Cash

Pray

God of Love, there is so much suffering and pain in this world. Please bring healing and make things right. Show me ways you want to use me to make this happen. Amen.

Go

Today, may you experience the relentless, faithful love of God entering your world. May it change you.

May that same love send you out into this world to relentlessly, faithfully love others as you have been loved.