The first Watch Night was Dec. 31, 1862, as abolitionists and others waited for word — via telegraph, newspaper or word of mouth — that the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. Now, 159 years later, we still wait, watch, wonder what word 2022 will bring. Will the word that greets us tomorrow be one of hope? Peace? Joy? Love? Will the words of hurt and harm; wounds and wants still roam within us and around us? Will words point toward a new beginning or will perplexing past problems still linger? Will there be the promise of a new day or leftovers from yesterday?
In a word..."Yes"
In honor of our history of watching, I invite you into that prayer posture right now. As a New Year dawns at the stroke of midnight 2022 will arrive; we will cross the threshold. So, my dear readers, a prayer for you. A prayer for our coming 365 years. A prayer for you to be enfolded and held close by God.
God of all seasons ~ summer moments of joy to wintering moments of discontent and dis-ease to in-between and in the meantime moments ~ we bring our whole selves to this threshold of one year fading into another.
We carry with us concerns about the new variant of the virus; our weariness and worn out-ness at how this invisible illness has causes such pain in our world. We carry grief of friends who died this last year and family whose finger prints are forever on our hearts. We carry our own disappointments with ourselves and others.
And...and we carry moments when we could connect with family and the feeling of a hug after months of being apart. We carry moments of laughter and how holy last Friday felt singing Silent Night together.
And...and we carry hope for 2022. We know there is much work to be done before us. Like our abolitionist ancestors we realize and recognize one decree or law won't change everything. Yet, we know that as long as we have breath on earth we long to be caught up in Your symphony of love You are composing and conducting and creating even here and now.
We offer our prayers to You, O God.
Prayers for ourselves ~ name your prayers aloud.
Prayers for family and friends ~ name the people in your heart aloud.
Prayers for our church and community ~ give voice to your deep prayers for what might be in the face of what is.
Prayers for our country and world.
Prayers for our ancestors who passed away this last year.
Prayers for what might be as we awake, awake and greet the new morn on January 1, 2022.
God, take our life ~ take my life~ and let us be;
Blessed to be a light in this community;
Take every moment and each day;
To play my part in Your symphony.
With deep love for God's grace and peace to be with you today, today, and tomorrow as we watch, wait, and lean in to what God is up to in our world right now. Amen.
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