My friends at Raleigh Mennonite Church asked me if I would say a prayer today during their “lighting of the Peace Lamp”.  Basically, the idea is (or so it seems – this is solely my interpretation) is that each week they pray for a people group that needs justice and light a lamp (that would be the aforementioned Peace Lamp) as a way of remembering them. This week, the people group were the poor and homeless, so I got the call.

I love the Mennonites. I just do. If for no other reason than they do stuff like this, remembering those people the rest of the church wishes would go away.  Also because they not only let me pray a prayer like this one, but actually want me to do so.

* * * * *

Our Father,

We pray today for those who are homeless and hungry in our city.

We know that all blessings come from you
and we, Father, are truly blessed.

For while we are well fed,
others go to bed hungry.

While we have nice, well decorated houses,
others will sleep tonight under bridges.

These things are not happening in a third world country,
or something we have seen on TV,
but right here, in Raleigh.

If anyone is,
these people are our neighbor.

Help us to remember what your son said-
That when we feed the hungry
or shelter the homeless…

We are doing it to him.

Remind us, O God, of your son’s prayer-

That it may be on earth,
as it is in heaven.

For one thing we know for sure
is that no one goes hungry
or sleeps under bridges
in Heaven.

Father,
thank you for giving us resources to share
with those who are hurting.

Today, we pray for the strength
to help bear their burdens.

And most importantly-
the will to do so.

We ask this in the name of your son who,
through his death
overcame evil, forever.

Amen.