“In a world so wired and interconnected - our anxious hearts are pummelled by an endless barrage of troubling news. We are daily aware of more grief - O Lord - than we can rightly consider - of more suffering and scandal than we can respond to - of more hostility, hatred, horror and injustice than we can engage with compassion.

But you - O Jesus - are not disquieted by such news of cruelty and terror and war. You are neither anxious nor overwhelmed. You carried the full weight of the suffering of a broken world when You hung upon the cross and You carry it still.

When the cacophony of universal distress unsettles us, remind us that we are but small and finite creatures, never designed to carry the vast abstractions of great burdens - for our arms are too short and our strength is too small. Justice and mercy, healing and redemption - are Your great labours.

And yes - it is Your good pleasure to accomplish such works through Your people - but You have never asked any one of us to undertake more than Your grace will enable us to fulfill.

Guard us then from shutting down our empathy or walling off our hearts because of the glut of unactionable misery that floods our awareness. You - God - have many children in many places around this globe. Move each of our hearts to compassionately respond to those needs that intersect our actual lives - that in all places You might be actively addressing the pain and brokenness of this world. May each one of us be liberated and empowered by Your Spirit to fulfill the small part of Your redemptive work assigned to us.

Give us discernment in the face of troubling news reports.

Give us discernment - to know when to pray - to know when to speak out - to know when to act - to know when to simply shut off our screens and devices and to sit quietly in Your Presence - casting the burdens of this world upon the strong shoulders of the One who alone is able to bear them up.

Amen.”

I appreciate Mr. McKelvey’s liturgy. It comforts me. It gives me hope. It reminds me not to give in to fear. It reminds me not to focus on world events to the extent that my heart becomes paralyzed with doubt about who is ultimately in charge. It reminds me when I remember that in every generation from the very beginning of time, there have been tyrants and evil leaders who (may seem to) reign supreme but ultimately find their demise - that there have been earthquakes and floods and wars and sickness and disease - really awful things.

My trust is not in a perfect world. My trust is not in a world leader. My trust is in God. He is sovereign. He created and designed this world - it belongs to Him.

“Trust in God at all times - pour out your hearts before Him - He is our refuge.”

“When I am afraid - I put my trust in You. In God - whose word I praise - in God I trust - I will not be afraid.”

So…………..in the midst of hate - I find there is within me - an invincible love. In the midst of tears - I find there is within me - an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos - I find there is within me - an invincible calm. These things make me content in all circumstances - for it says that no matter how hard the world pushes its agenda - within me - there is something stronger - something better - pushing right back - my faith and trust in my Heavenly Father. I rest in Him.