O God, slow us down and help us to see
that we are put in charge of our lives,
but with your help.
We keep moving, even though we know
that we are made to center down,
as well as to be actively engaged
in the business of life.
We compete for things and make those things
more important than they ought to be.
We eat what we ought not to eat.
We neglect and misuse our bodies.
We fail to discipline our minds
and to be still and know that thou art God
and that we are the temple of the Most High.
Yet we often complain about our misfortunes and our hard luck,
when at times it is we who are guilty of disregard.
Help us to know that we can be broken by life
only if we first allow the victory of evil over our spirits.
May our hope and strength and faith be grounded in you;
and may we recall the strength of our model,
our brother and your Son. Amen.
George Thomas, African American minister (1983)
_________________
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him.
Truly he is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
prayer & verse 