Will we walk in these shoes?

AWMoore - remembering Uvalde at NorthPark Presbyterian Church

I cannot hold my tongue. Will I walk in these shoes? My children or grandchildren? Amid the fresh mourning of people killed in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX, more deaths add to the count in Tulsa, OK. The words repeated over the airwaves and in the news repulse me, “You are in our thoughts and prayers.” Words made hollow by inaction. Yes, I have been guilty of saying them and doing nothing too. In which case, how can we ever expect anything to change?

Sure we can pray to God to change hearts, but God doesn’t vote or speak out. Sure we can keep others in our thoughts, but thoughts alone don’t embrace another in comfort. God does not do this work alone – we partner with God in action. We are God’s arms. We must be repairers of the breach if we want to see streets restored to safety (Isaiah 58:12).

This past Sunday I joined the voices of others in singing the follwing hymn. May these words encourage us to be Prayer in Action.

If we Just Talk of Thoughts and Prayers

By Carolyn Winfrey Gillette 

If we just talk of thoughts and prayers and don’t live out a faith that dares,
and don’t take on the ways of death, our thoughts and prayers are fleeting breath.

If we just dream of what could be and do not build community,
and do not seek to change our ways, our dreams of change are false displays.

If we just sing of doing good and don’t walk through our neighborhood
to learn its hope to ease its pain, our talk of good is simply vain.

God, may our prayers and dreams and songs lead to a faith that takes on wrongs –
that works for peace and justice, too. Then will our prayers bring joy to you.

are we in this together?…
(learn more and find ways to pray in action here)