Prayer for the World
By Max Lucado
Dear Jesus,
It's a good thing You were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings, but they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger happy. Ticked off. What is wrong with us? We are taking prayer out of schools and out of public places but fighting to keep our weapons. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But You were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see Your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod's jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took You and Your mother into Egypt. You were an immigrant before You were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, You entered the dark world of Your day. Won't You enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the Wise Men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at the manger. We are in desperate need of Your presence in our lives once again.
This Christmas, we ask You, heal us, help us. Be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children