Here
is a thoughtful prayer (or short meditation?) for Palm Sunday from John Vest.
(See the link to his website below.)
Palm
Sunday Prayer
God
of transformation,
we are reminded this day
that Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem
was more than a show,
more than a simple provocation,
more than the beginning of a cute celebration.
It was a signal that things are changing,
an unmistakably potent message
to the powers that be
that the world as we know it
is becoming the world as it should be.
It was a radical act of defiance
directed against those in his day
who wielded power
through violence, oppression, and tyranny.
we are reminded this day
that Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem
was more than a show,
more than a simple provocation,
more than the beginning of a cute celebration.
It was a signal that things are changing,
an unmistakably potent message
to the powers that be
that the world as we know it
is becoming the world as it should be.
It was a radical act of defiance
directed against those in his day
who wielded power
through violence, oppression, and tyranny.
It
is no less radical, and no less tame,
for those who do the same today.
for those who do the same today.
This
simple ride reminds us—
and tells the whole world—
that you are indeed coming to make all things new.
You are coming to turn weapons of war
into instruments of peace.
and tells the whole world—
that you are indeed coming to make all things new.
You are coming to turn weapons of war
into instruments of peace.
You
are coming to release those
who find themselves in all manners of bondage:
chains of injustice;
chains of addiction;
chains of conformity and apathy.
who find themselves in all manners of bondage:
chains of injustice;
chains of addiction;
chains of conformity and apathy.
You
are coming to provide for the poor:
food for the hungry
and shelter for the homeless.
food for the hungry
and shelter for the homeless.
You
are coming to assure the dignity and equality
of all who are marginalized or oppressed.
of all who are marginalized or oppressed.
You
are coming to end violence and divisions,
to provide safe communities
and opportunities for education.
to provide safe communities
and opportunities for education.
You
are coming to offer healing and wholeness,
comfort, consolation, and hope.
comfort, consolation, and hope.
You
are coming to transform all that we know.
You are coming to save us.
You are coming to save us.
But
like humble Jesus riding into town on a lowly colt,
you aren’t coming in grandeur,
you aren’t coming with thunder and lightning,
you aren’t making an epic entrance.
you aren’t coming in grandeur,
you aren’t coming with thunder and lightning,
you aren’t making an epic entrance.
You’re
coming through the mystery of love incarnate,
through your church empowered by your Spirit,
through lives transformed and inspired,
through ordinary people like us,
blessed by you to do extraordinary things.
through your church empowered by your Spirit,
through lives transformed and inspired,
through ordinary people like us,
blessed by you to do extraordinary things.
Come,
gracious God
into a world that longs for change,
a world that needs your love,
a world full of your own children,
a world ripe with hope and potential.
into a world that longs for change,
a world that needs your love,
a world full of your own children,
a world ripe with hope and potential.
Blessed
are those who come in your name, O God.
We have come.
We will go.
We have come.
We will go.
And
now we pray—we pray for your coming kingdom
emerging all around us,
using the words Jesus taught us.
Our Father…
emerging all around us,
using the words Jesus taught us.
Our Father…
~
written by John W. Vest, and posted on John Vest. http://johnvest.com/
