Uninhabited Houses--Dec. 10, 2018

Gracious God, Lord of hosts,

I do not suppose that climate change

is the catastrophe that the prophets and Jesus

were warning us about, but a real catastrophe is coming.

Already, climate change has caused houses to be left desolate;

large and beautiful homes are uninhabited because of

raging wildfires or rising waters.

There is reason to believe

that increasing scarcities of water

have been a factor in desolating warfare,

and surely battles over water rights will increase.

Deniers say there is peace and security;

they say no need to be alarmed,

but destruction comes.

We need your saving power, O God,

that your way may be known upon earth.

Grateful for the good earth you have given us,

show us how to work together to save it--

to preserve it for generations to come.  

Make your face shine upon us.

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 122; 145; 40; 67

Isa. 5:8-17

1 Thess. 5:1-11

Luke 21:20-28

Selected Verses

Ps. 67:1-2

May God be gracious to us and bless us
          and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
that your way may be known upon earth,
          your saving power among all nations. 

Isa. 5:9

The LORD of hosts has sworn in my hearing:
Surely many houses shall be desolate,
          large and beautiful houses, without inhabitant. 

1 Thess. 5:3

When they say, "There is peace and security," then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! 

Luke 21:20

"When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near.  …"  [Jesus, to his disciples]