Tuesday Prayer: After the Storm

(Inspired by Frankenstorm and Ruth 1:1-18)

One: Naomi was a refugee from a natural disaster.  Famine was facing Judah and, in order to save their family, Naomi and her husband made the decision to move their family to Moab.  Not long after they arrived Ruth’s husband died and she was left to hold the family together.  Eventually her sons married two women from Moab; one named Orpah and the Ruth.  For ten years, they lived together as a family.  Tragedy struck again when both her sons died.  In that place and time, when the men of a household died, the women of the home had to turn to their families to help support them.  Orpah, at the encouragement of Naomi, reluctantly returned to her family but Ruth refused to leave Naomi’s side saying:

Many: Where you go, I will go.  Where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people and your God my God.

One:  In these days of disaster and tragedy, we are reminded of our connections to people all around the world. 

Many: May we move beyond concern to compassion; from pity to prayer; from silence to solidarity; from depression to determination.  May the lines between us become so frequently crossed that those lines disappear. 

One: May our commitment to being in right relationship with all God’s people be renewed today as we covenant to build relationships of mutuality with each other; committing to change our perspectives and recognizing that life and soul threatening problems for any, are life and soul threatening problems for all.

Many: Let us make a new commitment.  Let us name a new reality we will work to make real.

One: To all those effected by storm and flood may we say;

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One:  To all those tortured by famine and disease may we say;

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One:  To all those impacted by war and violence may we say;

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One: To all those oppressed by racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, ageism and all other forms of oppression may we say;

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One: To all those imprisoned by addiction and self-destructive behavior may we say;

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One:  When we find ourselves effected by storm and flood may we be open to those who say;

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One: When we are the one’s tortured by famine and disease may we be recognize that others have more then they need and celebrate when they say:

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One: When we are the one’s impacted by war and violence may we have the vision to recognize that some of those who have the call and gifts to be peacemakers may say:

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One: When we are the ones oppressed by racism, heterosexism, classism, sexism, ableism, ageism and other forms of oppression may we hold out both healthy caution and robust hope to those who say;

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One: When we are the ones imprisoned by addiction and self-destructive behavior may we hear the prison cell creak open when these words of love are spoken;

Many:  Your people shall be my people.

One: Dear God, we live on this planet together.  May we do what we can to make it safe for each other here.  May our hearts be warmed by the love we share and the earth cooled by our responsible use of resources.  This is the home we share.  May we speak these words to each other and recognize their deepest meaning as a description of our reality.

Many: Where you go, I will go.  Where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people and your God my God.

One:  May it be so.

All: Amen.