A Prayer about the Brevity and Eternity of Our Lives
As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Psalm 103:15-16
Everlasting Father,
As we continue praying through this magnificent Psalm
about your benefits,
about how you work righteousness and justice in us,
and about the eternal kingdom
that has already begun for those in Christ,
we thank you and praise you.
First, thank you for this reminder about the length of our lives.
Sometimes, we confess,
we get caught up in what we can see right before our eyes,
we notice the supermarket mags pushing a superfood salad
that prevents aging,
we pay attention to pundits
promising advancements in medicine
that will extend our lives indefinitely.
And while we are grateful for medical advancements
and discoveries about how to live a longer, healthy life,
we also realize that the mortality rate is still 100 percent.
Some of us are even more keenly aware
of the fleeting nature of life
as we’ve lost so many loved ones in the past year to Covid.
And yet…David, the Psalmist, gives us hope:
“The steadfast love of the Lord
is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him…” (Psalm 103:17);
“The Lord has established his throne in the heavens,
and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19).
Open our eyes, Lord, to see your everlasting kingdom,
a kingdom of righteousness and justice and liberty and flourishing,
a kingdom where no child ever dies of preventable disease,
a kingdom where every person of every race, tribe, and nation
will know honor and delight,
a kingdom where all injustice will be eradicated
and no mourning clothes will be needed.
Today, and every day, Lord,
may your kingdom come
through your work in us.
In Jesus’ ruling name. Amen.
Read Psalm 103:15-22; Revelation 21:22-22:5.