New Years wishes...

I know a young man who knows nothing about God. Absolutely nothing. Having no experience with spiritual formation in his youth, he has been left to figure things out the best he could. And being a bright, talented young man, he's done pretty well in most of his efforts so far, but now he's stuck. We spent 10 hours in conversation Sunday. Weighed down with family problems far beyond his ability to cope, over and over he kept asking "What should I do?" What should he do? And what can anyone possibly counsel him? Without the shared foundation of belief in a loving God, it is as though he has no compass, and he must discern every situation on an ethical standard of his own design. So he tries to work hard, be straight with people who are straight with him, and maintain loyalty to his family. But now his loyalty is being challenged. Without faith in God, and knowledge of the redeeming love of Jesus Christ, there's no way out of the mess he's been pulled into. At one point, as my understanding of the situation began to veer toward a hopeless disaster, I just threw up my hands and said, "Well, you're just going to have to become a Christian to get through this with any peace of mind."

The look he gave me seemed at once hopeful and enraged. As if there existed a flicker of hope that maybe faith was the way to peace of mind, but then rage at the very suggestion that his carefully constructed humanist values system could be inadequate to guide him in this complicated situation. I know he wants to do the right thing, but who determines what is right? I am praying for him today, and for everyone who feels caught in a hopeless situation.

Persistent God, take shape in our world, fill every void with your love and guide wandering souls to you. For those who search for answers, be in our dreams, and keep on trying to reach us even as we try to push you out. Teach us to serve others in a way that lets them see you in our actions, and in the love we give, find a path to knowledge and acceptance of you. For you will never ever give up on us, even leaving all the others to search for the one lost sheep. Forgive our arrogance and our failure to accept you. Keep tapping at the door, and never give up on your world.

Today we lift up Evangelist Corvalis Hodges, Erika Arroyo, Terry Trujillo her husband Richie and Richie Jr., Shari Vig and her family, Jo Ann Morris, Mark Anthony Montelongo, Brenda and Malik Cato. Wherever they are today, let them feel the moving of the Spirit in their lives, lifting their burdens, lightening their heavy hearts, and bringing them into communion with you.

We pray for all our friends, especially those who are in financial difficulty. Comfort our worry, heal our broken spirit and restore our confidence. Steady our nerves, and teach us how to be good stewards of the gifts we have been entrusted with. Provide for us in abundance, and show us your way to live.

We pray for those of us who believe but have doubts; we have so much difficulty in reconciling the world's view with what we know of your loving-kindness. Forgive our failings of faith, for we want to be your children. And for those who have never, ever believed, find the crack in the armor, seep in between our thoughts, until without even knowing, you have become the underpinning, you have set the foundation in stone, and when all our vain attempts at human valor fall away, be there to catch us, and build us up in the strength of your will in our lives.

We pray because we believe. Help our unbelief. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.