A Prayer about Debt Relief
Jesus said, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors”.
Lord, there is so much in our lives that needs forgiving – so much that we need to forgive.
There are so many who are weighed down by our demands.
It is perhaps no accident that it was an African who carried your cross, Lord Christ,
that continent carries so many burdens still.
Like your disciples on the journeys you took through Galilee,
we misunderstand you, and fail to heed your call for justice for the least of these,
we squabble for prominence, and forget those that are left behind,
we miss the point, and read you wrongly.
Just like the disciples on the road to Emmaus we are often incapable of seeing that you are our constant companion on the way.
Even though we do not recognise you, you are there all the time.
When our eyes are opened, when our ears truly hear, we realise that you are speaking to the global situation of humanity and have a word in season for the times through which we are living.
May our sign of trust in you be that we try to love with you,
Try to forgive with you,
Try to live generously as you did,
And work to cancel debts that would break the backs of the poorest.
Independent of our doubts and even our faith,
You are always there, Lord Christ,
Walking with those who live, work and even die to change your world.
Help us to bring relief to those who live with impossible debt,
To learn what is enough, living more simply so that others may simply live,
To walk in the way of life, liberation and truthfulness,
For you, O Christ, are always there, your love burns in our heart of hearts. Amen.
Richard Frazer (with reference to Brother Roger, George Macleod and others)
