Revelation 21:1-5 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them;
they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and be their God;[d]
4 he will wipe every tear from their eyes.
Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more,
for the first things have passed away.” 5 And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” (NRSVUE)
+Bishop Dee Pederson
As I write this, I am participating in the spring Conference of Bishops gathering: 65 bishops of ELCA synods, coming together for worship, connections, reflection, and conversation especially about theological education and pastoral leadership – a topic important to all of us today.
Worship on the first day of the gathering included this hymn, “What Is the World Like,” whose text reflects on what it looks like when God’s will is done, or as we pray, “thy will be done on earth as in heaven.”
This reading from Revelation describes the vision of God’s reign for each of us and for all people. Written around the end of the first century, this letter was written to give courage and hope to early Christians communities. The powerful iron fist of the empire was strong. In contrast, Christians were to live in the way of Jesus and by his values of mercy and compassion, and love of God and neighbor. They were to stop being luke-warm. In the face of economic suffering, religious persecution, and fear, they were to persevere in hope, confident that God’s reign would come in all its fullness, and there would be no more hunger, thirst, suffering, and death.
We all long for God’s reign and God’s will to be done. We lament a world at war, bringing with it the loss of human life. We lament tragic shootings, violent acts on peaceful protests, and terroristic acts. We lament growing poverty here and abroad, and the daily anxiety in the gut over what might come next.
In these unsettling times, dear friends, we pray fervently for this world that God loves so much. We lift our voices and live out our daily callings for the life of our neighbors and the glory of God.
One of the resources I commend to you these days are prayers from the resource Prayer Book for the Armed Services.
We pray...
Time of war
Eternal God, whose steadfast love never ends, we ask that you look upon the nations now engaged in war and hasten the day of peace. Look in mercy on those exposed to peril, conflict, sickness and death; and show compassion to the dying. In your good providence, remove all causes and occasions of war. Incline the hearts of all people to follow the path to peace and concord, that war may cease and the day of reconciliation may come quickly, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Those who suffer from war
Merciful God, you grieve amid the pain, fear and suffering of your children. Look with compassion on all who endure the miseries of war. Be mindful, too, of those who day and night face peril in defense of our nation. Guide them in their duties as they seek justice for those subjected to tyranny and liberty for those who are oppressed. Eternal Protector of the helpless, hear the cry of the distressed and grant speedy deliverance in a new day of peace and concord. Amen.
Those in the country’s service in a time of war
Almighty God, let your protection be upon all those who are in the service of our nation. Guard them from all danger and harm; sustain and comfort those at home, especially in hours of anxiety, loneliness, and sorrow. Prepare the dying for death and the living for your service. Uphold those who bear arms on land and sea and in the air; and grant unto us and all nations a speedy, just and lasting peace, the glory of your holy name. Amen.
Used by permission of Augsburg Fortress under license SB153115.
May we live together in that vision toward which the parables of Jesus point us. “What is the World Like When God’s Will is Done.”
