Pastor David concluded his message in worship yesterday with this prayer by Sister Ruth Marlene Fox:
Franciscan Prayer – a Non-Traditional Blessing
May God bless you with discomfort,
At easy answers, half-truths,
And superficial relationshipsSo that you may live
Deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression,
And exploitation of people,
So that you may work for
Justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears,
To shed for those who suffer pain,
Rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand
To comfort them and
To turn their pain to joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness
to believe that you really can make a difference in this world,
so that you are able, with God’s grace,
to do what others claim cannot be done.
Amen.
Pastor David also recommends this video about Bishop Francis Asbury: