shalom

in an effort to get rid of the clutter in my room and clean out my closets full of papers that i have accumulated from the past two years or so, i came across this prayer:

A PRAYER FOR OTHERS
(by Clare McBeath with adaptations)

How can we break bread and not remember
those who have no bread?

How can we meet together and not remember
those separated from their families and friends?

How can we shelter here and not remember
those whose only shelter is a refugee camp or cardboard box?

How  can we speak of peace and not remember
those whose peace is shattered by constant fear and the rattle of guns?

How can we sing hymns and not remember
those who cannot openly express their religious beliefs?

How can we offer our gifts and not remember
those who are caught in the never-ending cycle
of poverty and debt?

How can we pour wine and not remember
those who are imprisoned by addiction?

How can we celebrate and not remember
those who suffer form depression, mental illness or grief.

God of human experience, alive in us today,
present in this community, and in our reflecting,

Help us to look outwards to the suffering of our world,
remembering the hope of your shalom. Amen.