The Fights of our Lives

God, we invite you into the fights of our lives;               
fights with the ones we love the most,
our brothers and sisters, our partners and parents, our children.
Despite all our promises and hopes to honour and cherish,
we drop the ball and all hell breaks loose.
Words explode like grenades on the home front.
“You never,” “You should,” “You always.”
“I’m sick and tired of,” “Not this again,” “That’s it.”
Anger spews out of us,
fear and rage rumble inside.
We know how this plays out,
and it’s not going to be pretty.
God, you are the Referee who calls a time-out.
You’ve seen every move, followed every play;
the blood, sweat and tears are all too familiar.
At first we pray fervently,
trying to get you into our corner.
“Father, there are snakes and vipers,
and look at all the foul things done against me!”
We become aware of your eyes on us.
It dawns, slowly, that you have beloved children
on each team here.
With firm patience, you explain the rules again.
“No hitting.  Play fair.  Love one another as I have loved you.”
Jesus, help us review and remember.
Be with us as we take a deep breath
and enter again into the game You are calling—
a match made on earth as it is in heaven.

New Book Coming Soon!

Carol Penner has written a devotional book for Lent that explores the challenges of repentance and forgiveness. Forty reflections and prayers to deepen your walk with God as you prepare for Easter.  

You can order it here!

About Carol Penner

I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.

I love to write and to lead worship! If you are finding my writing helpful, I would love to hear from you! Feel free to use or adapt the material here, it is all written by me. If printing material, please credit “Copyright Carol Penner www.leadinginworship.com” (and say whether you modified it). If publishing, please contact me for permission. Contact me at carol@leadinginworship.com

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    Are you looking for resources for a Christian service? Feel free to use or adapt my prayers, poems and litanies. They are written in a Mennonite voice, for ears of all kinds. 

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