Let go a little (reverse prayer)

Prayed in worship @Decatur First UMC, Decatur, Georgia

April 21, 2024

In communal prayer we often lean into the speaking side of prayer, but prayer is (at least) half listening. This prayer flows from God toward us.

Dear one, 

I know. 

I know the week you’ve had.  

I know the heartaches and headaches.  

I know the joy and relief.  

I know. 

I was there for all of it.  

I know that you don’t always feel me with you.  

It’s hard to tune in to the presence of love, 

when there is so much fear, so much disdain, so little trust.  

And when the voices telling you that you are not enough are so loud - 

Not busy enough

Not rich enough

Not smart enough

Not tough enough

Not good enough.

I know you hear those voices, and not one of them is mine.  

You are enough.  

I know you are, because I made you that way.  

Nothing can change that. 

That doesn’t mean that we don’t have work to do together - 

To care for my world

To care for my children

To care for yourself

But the work we do together is not grounded in what you lack, 

Whatever you lack is mine to do.  

You are already good. 

Dear one, I want you to let go a little.  

Let go of fear, and practice faith.  

Let go of busyness, and practice stillness.  

Let go of anger, and practice compassion.  

Let go of criticism, and practice joy.  

Just let go a little, and see what happens.  

I’m glad you are here.  

I’m here with you now, just as I have been all week, 

And just as I will be next week.  

I am with you, always.