Deus Misereatur

  (Today I opened the Board of County Commissioners meeting with prayer. This is the way it went) Hear God’s words to all : “ Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly” (Proverbs 14:29 and 15:1-2).   I now invite all who can,  in good conscience, join me as I pray to Almighty God through the mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ:   Holy God, you have given us the ability to communicate with you and with one another, for the purposes of drawing near to you, and for promoting the common good and wellbeing of our community. Help us to promote civility and genuine integrity in our homes, businesses, and civic discourses, and grant these public leaders your aid as they deliberate, discuss, and decide issues of importance for our county and city, such as regarding roadways, bridge...

  Moses once announced, “ For the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them ” (Deuteronomy 4:31); and Paul once prayed, “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort ” (2 Corinthians 1:3). We rejoice that you are merciful, a God of mercies and comfort! Be merciful to your people on every continent, counting this congregation, St. Augustine Episcopal, St. James Episcopal, St. Paul’s Episcopal and Trinity Episcopal. Bring reformation and revival. Exonerate what is true and right and change the hearts and perspectives of those who are misguided and wrongheaded. Be merciful toward our brothers and sisters facing difficult times in difficult places like Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Sudan, Myanmar, and Indonesia. Be merciful and grant us your gracious presence and strength. Be merciful to the Presbyterian Church in America. Govern and g...