Time is ticking on. We are ready to celebrate yet another period of Lent, a time the church is setting apart to focus on watching and praying. Prayer is no doubt the sojourners greatest source of strength when they pass through unfamiliar and unexpected terrains, when they must travel through dark patches of life. It sustains them through times of weeping and times of rejoicing. Prayers makes times of meditation meaningful.

We observe Lent yet again in a context of war, violence, and pain in several parts of the world. Several people are going through tough pathways of life. Psalm 147, the Halleluiah Psalm provides us some guidelines for meaningful prayer as we look back and thank God for the marvellous ways of God’s guidance throughout history. The seven prayers that we could pray each week during Lent for the world around us could be among others, the following.

Rebuild Our Brokenness O Lord

Jerusalem had gone through lot of devastation because of war, invasion and violence. Its walls were broken down, houses gutted, infrastructure destroyed, fame put to fire, people kicked out and several taken captives. Yet that was not the end of the story. From every seeming omega point the Lord helped them dream of another alpha point. The journey of returning and restoring was always possible. Rebuilding from the brokenness was indeed possible.

As we see brokenness in various forms around us, in the life of countries, communities, couples and commoners we need to fervently pray for the rebuilding of the Lord.

Gather Our Outcastes O Lord

What happens in any aggression is that people would either flee, migrate or would be taken captives. Violence uproots people and they take wings. The ardent desire of several uprooted ones would be to return to the roots and their own soil would be longing to have them back. But migration and the refugee crisis are such a complicated issue that several people are not able to return to where they long to even if they want to. They become part of the new spaces where they are pushed into, especially when the majority in those spaces are understanding and welcoming. Scattered communities and families are a stark reality today and one meaningful prayer could be for the gathering together of those scattered not by their choice but by the pressure of circumstances.

Heal our broken-hearted O Lord

There are several people around us who live with a broken heart. This need not necessarily be in war zones. This could happen in everyday walks of life around us. The unexpected loss of a loved one, the unsolicited loneliness in a person’s life, conflicts in relationships and strains therein, betrayal, rejection, disappointment and experiences of trauma and abuse could be some of the many reasons people lose heart. The broken hearted crave for a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on and a hand to hold them tight. Praying opens our eyes to see them, our hearts to have compassion for them and lives to reach out to them.

Bind up our Wounds O Lord

Wounds are part of every conflict or in fact every walk of life. The weapons of mass destruction that are being used in war zones today create wounds that no one can fathom. But wounds have much larger implications. They could have physical, emotional, mental, or psychological manifestations. Some wounds are relational, and some could be spiritual. Some are self-inflicted while others are inflicted by others. Some are social wounds, and some are existential. The fact remains that several people live with the trauma and pain of wounds. They are looking for someone to attend to their wounds and the pain. When we pray- bind up our wounds- we are also praying- Give us the sense and sensibility to bind the wounds of others.

Lift our downtrodden O Lord

There could be several reasons why people become downtrodden. When wars destroy all their support systems and reduce them to be migrants, when systemic oppression steals human dignity from them, when poverty and exploitation makes living hard for them, when marginalisation and injustice sideline them, when disabilities and disadvantages traumatises them, it is but natural people feel downtrodden. The Lord is not one who would leave them in such situations but would lift them up. All they need is a hand to reach out, hold tight and lift them up from the miry pitches into which they have fallen.

Strengthen the Bars of Our gates O Lord

When the walls are destroyed, and gates lit up with fire what is at stake is the safety of the people. The strengthening of the gates could have various implications. Today one need to enhance the security systems in place including the digital security. Surveillance must be well coordinated with proper follow up action. The infrastructure required for safety must be strengthened, systemic resilience must be enhanced, and legal frameworks made just and accessible. Community cohesion and commitment to social justice must be encouraged and environment and health care properly fostered. Cooperation of the various stakeholders must be ensured. Even with all these we realise the hackers are as intelligent and they are able to breach into any security cordon. Therefore it is very important that the Lord strengthens the bars of our gates and protects the children within them and all therein.

Grant us Peace O Lord

Peace continues to be an enigma. Wars and Violence seem to have its way. Peace maintaining mechanisms are becoming toothless. Selling of weapons and profit seem to be the only strategic interest of key players. It is herein the search for peace becomes significant. Peace would bring inner tranquillity and communal harmony. It would ensure justice and compassion and encourage conflict mitigation. It enhances culture and ensures spiritual wholeness and well-being. It provides opportunities for overall growth and offers stability of economies. Peace is a reality the world cannot live without yet struggling to find around. Grant us Peace O Lord

Vinod Victor

1.2.2024