Hungry for It

What’s your relationship with power?

Litany of Reconciliation*

Let us turn to God and ask His forgiveness because we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

For thinking too little about who You are and our need for You: Father, forgive us.

For the hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from class, religion from religion: Father, forgive us.

For the covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not our own: Father forgive us.

For our greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste our earth: Father forgive us.

For our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, and the refugee: Father, forgive us.

For lacking to understand the pain of others: Father, forgive us.

For being so full of ourselves and our own wants that we envy the welfare and happiness of others: Father, forgive us.

For our lust which dishonors the bodies of men, women, and children: Father forgive us.

For our pride which leads to trust in ourselves and not in You: Father, forgive us.

For the absence of peace among us: Father, forgive us.

For our lack of love, for You, our neighbor, and ourself: Father, forgive us.

Father, help us to be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another just as You have forgiven us in Christ.

For the sake and glory of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

As I read the highlighted text, I can’t help but wonder,

Right now, why are we so divided nation from nation, race from race, class from class, religion from religion?

What are the reasons?

What’s at the heart of our divisions?

Are they from the past?

If so, then how do they linger in our lives right now? In other words, what’s currently fueling our divisions?

Again we come back to the discussion of power.

What is feeding our hunger for it?  Why do we crave it?

Is it our need to feel superior?

To have control?

To possess someone or something?

To think that without power we are helpless, pathetic, or vulnerable?

I believe our need for power is one of our biggest myths right now.  It’s this way for every generation.

And yet, because of our craving for it, we will do everything and anything to maintain it, despite the consequences for others.

What’s your relationship with power?

This week, as you continue to pray the Litany of Reconciliation, think about how your hunger for power affects other people.  What are its consequences for others?  For yourself?

*Adapted, Litany of Reconciliation. For the original visit https://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/reconciliation/reconciliation-ministry/litany-of-reconciliation]