Balancing the Scales

A prayer based on today’s Gospel : Matthew 20: 1-16

based on the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard 

 

In the times when we give - however generously

it becomes blatantly clear, O God,

how ridiculous our attempts are to balance the scales;

We cannot repay Your abundance of supply

Your extravagance of grace;

Nor do You require it.

So, why should we expect it of others?

In truth, we cannot.

Like You we can only love – by giving, by serving, by praying.

And so we ask…

 

Free the score-keepers in our world and in our hearts

Restore those who stumble in our world and in our hearts

Strengthen the merciful in our world and in our hearts

Heal the broken in our world and in our hearts

Lift up the lowly in our world and in our hearts

Remove power when it is abused in our world and in our hearts

Erase the lines of division in our world and in our hearts

Create a Christ-guided humanity in our world and in our hearts

And use us to make it so.

In Jesus’s Name.

Amen.

Based on a prayer by John van de Laar on Sacredise.com.