And we're off...

Loving God,
we make our homes in broken communities,
in places of violence,
in places scarred by extremes of wealth and poverty,
in places divided by boundaries of race, gender, class and culture.
Too many among us lack a safe and decent place to call their home.
We know that we have created and sustained these divisions.
We beg you, O Lord, for your forgiveness.

Gracious God,
we know that no mater how far we distance ourselves from our neighbor
and from you,
your love remains steadfast.
We praise you, O Lord, for your faithfulness.

Merciful God,
amidst these divisions
we have witnessed courageous individuals and churches
work side by side with their neighbors.
Through their labors,
many have found shelter,
and through their willingness to serve you and to open themselves to others
we have seen possibilities for healing and reconciliation.
We thank you, O Lord, for lives of faithfulness.

Creator God,
we have heard your call to serve one another,
to give refuge to the stranger,
to show hospitality to those in need.
When we answer this call,
we give witness to your will;
bring healing to our communities
 and offer signs of hope to a world of despair.
We ask you, O Lord, for courage and strength.

Eternal God,
we await the coming of your perfect kingdom,
when all will find shelter,
all will know the safety of home
and all divisions will be reconciled;
until that day,
grant us the faith to endure the brokenness of this world,
the hope to look beyond this brokenness
and the love to work to transform this brokenness,
according to your perfect will.
 Amen 

International Day of Prayer and Action
for Human Habitat