God of Wisdom,
Gather us with words—words to guide us into the unknown
Words to comfort us when we are at a loss for words to say
Words to carry us when we cannot pick ourselves up
Words to elicit joy when sorrow shuts us in
Words to discern the world around us
God you gather us with words—even in this very moment—in times like these and times
like those—when words are used to spread lies and falsehoods,
When words are cheapened for a quick profit
When words are used to abuse and disparage and divide
God of Wisdom, in our desire to not use words for wrong, let us not forget our call to use
words for what is right—let not our desire to be innocent as doves cloud the call to also
be wise as serpents—sneaky and sly, subtle and scheming—help us to look for crafty
ways to proclaim that your kingdom is always drawing near.
God of Wisdom, give us simple, clear words of affirmation and love that cut through the
noise of complacency and discontent—words that cure the sick and raise the dead:
“Happy Pride”
“Jesus Loves You”
“I’m Praying for You”
“I Forgive You”
“Thank You”
God of Wisdom, give us simple, clear words of justice and truth that cast out the
demons of demagogues and division:
“That Is Not True”
“Greed Isn’t Good”
“War Is Not Peace”
“It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way”
God of Wisdom, fill our hearts and our mouths with the wisdom of Jesus the Christ who
gave us words to pray, saying:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever.
Amen.