Knitting a Conundrum

Prayer for Terri Schiavo

Dear Lord,
Father in Heaven,
who once asked Abraham to sacrifice his son,
but instead provided the ram,
who once asked your own Son
to be sacrifice for all of us,
look down on the Schindlers this day,
and their daughter Terri,
slated to be a sacrifice
to that evil spirit
which roams the world today,
denying that life is a gift from you,
the spirit of selfish glee
that parodies the voice of mercy.

Lord, we ask of you
true justice,
not the pretend judgments
that favor those in power
that favor death over life,
hate over love,
despair over hope,
darkness over your righteousness.

Today, O Father,
We remember the parable of your son,
about the widow
who pestered the judge
until he ruled for her,
and audaciously, we ask you
to be like that judge
and rule in the favor of this your lovely child Terri,
and her parents,
whose steadfast love
should remind us all
of how you love us here on earth,
steadfast,
beyond all challenges,
never letting go.

And their love for their daughter
a potent sign,
is still only the shadow
of your love for us.

Be with us now, O Lord,
holding the hands of all those
who fear for their children,
all those children
who stand at death's door
because of the evil that men do.

Lord, hear our prayer,
and let our cry come unto you!

In the name of Jesus,
who told us to ask, seek, and knock,

Amen.