A Prayer for Turbulent Times

Palm Sunday begins in festivity.

For the disciples of Jesus, it is a joyful moment. The crowds seem excited to welcome him to Jerusalem.

For Jesus, the journey into the city is more unsettled, and his words are foreboding. As he drew near, he wept. “Would that even today you knew the things that make for peace! But now they are hid from your eyes.“ (Luke 19:42) It is not a question but an utterance of grief.

As the week goes on, it only becomes more treacherous, full of deceit and betrayal.

We find ourselves on a difficult journey, both in the church and the world. We are angling to figure out the best outcomes, figure out how to accomplish our aims. Our own angling, betrayal, and treachery can cause much suffering.

This Holy Week is an invitation for a time of prayer, sitting, reflecting, walking, waiting, examining and letting go.In that spirit, I offer up this prayer attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo:

Blessed are all your saints, O God, who have traveled over the tempestuous sea of this life and have made the harbor of peace. Watch over us who are still on a dangerous voyage. Frail is our vessel, and the ocean is wide; but as in your mercy you have set our course, so pilot the vessel of our life toward the everlasting shore of peace, and bring us at the last to the quiet haven of our heart’s desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.