Jesus called his disciples to go into the world. To preach, teach, make new disciples. Part of that preaching, teaching, and making of disciples must include speaking for those who have no voice, or whose voice has been silenced or cannot be heard. It must include speaking truth to power to end oppression and help to bring God's reign here on earth. It must include training the upcoming generations to not only find their passion in helping others, but also to be able to speak and act within that passion. Who are the upcoming new voices? How are we training and encouraging them? How are we assisting them? How are we being them?
Loving God, there are so many people around us who are in need. There are so many issues that need to be addressed. There is so much pain and suffering calling to us that sometimes we feel paralyzed. We pray that you will help us to sort out all the cries, to be able to hear and listen to those you need us to hear. We ask that you stir within us a passion for a few of those issues, and then that you grant us the strength and courage to begin to address the issues. Or, to pick up where those who've gone before us have left off. And allow us the great gift of being able to bring along those who will come after us, and continue your good work........Amen.