I recently purchased a new devotional book titled, Go For It, Boldly Live the Life God Created For You, by Melissa Horvath. The first devotion is titled “How Are You?” which is a valid question that we ask people we encounter almost every day. In the devotion she comments on how we ask strangers and friends, how are you and typically the response is good, how are you? But do we ever ask someone, how are you really? And if we ask that, are we prepared for the answer? When we ask for an honest and raw answer, we may hear that someone is sad, angry, hurting, etc. Or we could hear that they are doing great and amazing. We are allowed to have and feel all the emotions.
Earlier this
week I was really struggling. I was
struggling with feeling sad and angry. I
was also struggling with feeling helpless, I felt there was nothing I can do
for the people in Venezuela. That helpless feeling continues today as my heart
breaks for the people in Minnesota. There is nothing I can say or do that will
change things for the family of Renee Nicole Good, who died after being shot by
an ICE agent. Perhaps some of you feel
the same way?
I have found
myself at a loss for words to pray. My
body is noticing my struggles. I am
restless, numb, tired, and overwhelmed.
But I am grateful for colleagues and theologians who have posted prayers
for me to read. Today I found a prayer that
I needed to hear from Kelly Sherman-Conroy who is a Native Theologian. Perhaps you need it too. Here is her prayer…
We bring You what our bodies are holding.
The grief we can’t name.
The anger that tightens our chests.
The fear that won’t let us rest.
We ask for permission to set some of this down.
Not because it doesn’t matter,
but because we are not meant to carry it alone.
Breathe peace into our nervous systems.
Soften what has clenched.
Release what has been held too long.
Hold the lives that were lost.
Hold the families who are grieving.
Hold the communities who are tired of surviving.
Today, teach us how to rest without guilt,
to release without forgetting,
and to care for one another gently. Amen.
