Jesus says that a “Bless-ed” life includes desires and longings born from not having something. Specifically, Jesus says that the Blessed “hunger and thirst for righteousness...” The paradox of our longing is that it brings satisfaction: “…for the shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6) Our apatite for what we lack—a right relationship with God and with others—is not an endless craving, but one that finds satisfaction in the very pangs. For in our ache we recognize what we lack, and can therefore respond with the very nutrients and delicacies we seek.
Our prayer this week, adapted from John Ballie, is a prayer out of the hunger pains for righteous; desires to relate rightly with our Father, our siblings, and our friends.
Father, all human hearts lie revealed and open before you. Forbid that we should seek to hide from you anything that we have done or thought or imagined this week.
All these things that are hidden from others, let us now openly acknowledge in your presence. Let no false shame keep us from confessing the wrongs that proper shame should have kept us from committing.
Father, whose tender mercies cover us all, humbly and sorrowfully we crave your forgiveness for the sins of this week:
For every weakening and degrading thought towards another and ourselves that we have allowed to dwell in our minds;
For every hasty and thoughtless word spoken to you and neighbor and family and friend;
For every failure of self-control;
For every stumbling block we have put in someone else’s way, binding on others what has been loosed from us;
For every lost opportunity to love as we have been loved;
For lazy feet and procrastinating wills.
Grant that as the days go by, your Spirit may more and more rule in our hearts, bearing His fruit in our lives with you and with one another.
Into your loving care we commit all those who are dear to us. Bless all those with whom we live and work and worship. Grant them a satisfying sense of your reality and power. Be with all those who are in danger or distress this day. Be in every sore heart, every grief-stricken or broken home, and beside every sickbed giving to all the blessing of your peace and warmth of your presence.
In Jesus' name, we pray,
Amen.