for bringing us to this moment —
this moment of crossing and convergence —
this time of ending and beginning —
this place of closing and opening.
Grant us, we pray, your comfort in transitions.
May our grief over loss of friends, colleagues and relationships;
may our fear of change and of a barely visible future;
may our grief and fear be overshadowed
by potential for new relationships,
new challenges,
new love and new joy.
At this crossroads, grant us confidence and grace.
Grant us we pray, your wisdom and your courage
in the choices we are making and in the decisions we are choosing
Grant us peace —
your peace, your promised shalom —
the personal peace which passes all understanding
and overwhelms our hearts;
and your justice peace,
the promise of a righteous humanity and a just society.
May your rule be strong throughout this earth.
Loving God,
creator of all that is and was and will be,
on the cusp of this moment,
grant us your peace. Amen.
D. Jay Losher Jr. is pastor of First Church 1793, Washington Pa.
