Dear New Philadelphia Moravian,

This past week has been one unlike any that I ever remember. In a world that is already overwhelmed by an unprecedented global pandemic which has led to a crashing economy, now our cities are filled with both peaceful protests and destructive rioting and looting.
As I was watching the news on Monday night, it was just too much. There was too much pain and sorrow, too much grief and loss, too much anger and hatred, too much fear and doubt. It was so much that I felt I couldn’t breathe. And I don’t think that I was alone in that feeling. I don’t think that I am alone in those feelings.

 
To try to get those feelings out, to try to be able to breathe, I wrote this prayer: 

O God, we can’t breathe…

Our world is falling apart. 

O God, we can’t breathe…

        Our neighbors are dying

O God, we can’t breathe…

        We are surrounded by hate.

O God, we can’t breathe…

        We are overcome with fear.

O God, we can’t breathe…

       We are overwhelmed with guilt.

O God, we can’t breathe…

       We are weighed down with sorrow.

O God, we can’t breathe…

      We are lost and alone.

O God, help us to breathe…

     And know that you are here.

O God, help us to breathe…

     And embrace our neighbors.

O God, help us to breathe…

     And be filled with your love.

O God, help us to breathe…

      And claim your peace.

O God, help us to breathe…

     And receive your forgiveness.

O God, help us to breathe…

      And lift us with your joy.

O God, help us to breathe…

      And unite us as one.

O Lord, hear our prayer…

And help us. Save us. Deliver us. 

Amen

Pastor Joe Moore