The nineteenth century American poet James Russell Lowell wrote, “We are living, we are dwelling, in a grand and awful time.” It is grand, because many wonderful advances have been made in science, medicine, and technology; awful, because there are indications that our culture is tearing itself apart. This morning we shall look at some examples of how our culture may be declining, what is God’s response to that, and what we personally can do about it. Let us therefore, with chastened hearts and minds, worship God.
Pastoral Prayer
Only Thou, O God, art worthy of our ultimate praise and thanksgiving. Only Thou hast created us, only Thou hast given us minds to comprehend Thee and to marvel at Thy loving kindness, only Thou canst enable us to live from day to day and year to year. By Thy goodness do we exist, and by Thy continuous care of us do we progress as individuals and as a society. We thank Thee for Thy patient oversight of us, nurturing, guiding, judging, and inspiring us. Hold us firmly in Thine unseen grasp, so that we continue along Thy paths and follow Thy commandments.
We ask Thee to help each of us individually to do whatever we can to strengthen and refine the culture in which we find ourselves, rather to contribute to its decline in any way. We ask Thee to inspire public figures to build up American society, never allowing their words or actions to cause others to stumble. Be with journalists, politicians, entertainers, writers, educators, and others whose words or deeds influence millions of people they shall never encounter or know. Enable each us to be lights in the midst of darkness instead of darkness in the midst of light.
Lord God, bless those who are battling illness, and who call out for health and wholeness. Grant relief to those who are in pain, whether that relief be physical, psychological, or spiritual. Raise those who have fallen, lift those who feel downcast, and grant steadfastness to those who have lost hope. We pray for parents and teachers that they may help set their children and students on proper pathways, for medical personnel who seek to improve the health of their patients, for community leaders who strive to improve life in their communities, and for politicians whose policies can change for the better the lives of their constituents. Assist each us always to strive to do the best we can, so that Thy will for Thy world may more effectively be transformed into an ever-improving world. These things we pray in Jesus, name, once again reciting the prayer he taught us, saying, Our Father….