Sean Gladding

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A prayer for local government

I was invited to offer the invocation before a meeting of the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government this week. This is the prayer.

O God,

You who are called by many names, in many languages in our city;
Worshiped in many ways, in many places within our community;
You who are the Author of life, love and justice:

We give You thanks that we have eaten today.
We remember our neighbors who are food insecure,
and pray that we would work to increase access to the food
that is necessary for healthy bodies and minds.

We give You thanks for this air-conditioned building, and our use of it.
We remember our neighbors who are unhoused, or housing insecure,
and pray that we would work to increase access to safe, affordable and comfortable housing.

We give You thanks that we are healthy enough to be here today.
We remember our neighbors who struggle with chronic illnesses,
with addictions, with the burden of medical debt,
and pray that we would work to increase access to dignified, adequate and affordable healthcare.

We give You thanks for the education that has prepared us for the responsibility of leadership.
We remember our neighbors who are struggling in school, or are in struggling schools,
and pray that we would work to increase access to an education
that will prepare all our children to succeed in life.

We give You thanks for the range of resources at our disposal.
We remember our neighbors who live with debilitating poverty,
and pray that we would work to increase the pathways out of generational financial struggle.

We give You thanks for the welcome we received this afternoon from colleagues and friends
who value our contribution to the life of our city.
We remember our neighbors who also contribute much,
but who do not feel welcomed in our community,
and pray that we would work to increase their sense of safety, of worth and of belonging.

O God, Author of life, love and justice.
We pray that you will use us to cultivate the kind of city and world of which You dream.
A city and a world where everyone flourishes,
and where we no longer know anything but peace.

Amen.

(With gratitude to my friend Hugh Hollowell.)