Prayer in a Time of Drought

Trees are pulling back,
leaves brown and fallen months before their time,
sustaining now their trunks and nearest green.

Grass has paled, dormant:
"If we can't eat, might as well sleep."

Birds mute their songs,
Conserving voice until they find
Some place for water.

We pray with all creation:
Lord, in your mercy,
send us rain.

Fields of corn and wheat are grey,
Grains still forming, cooking on the stalks
The payments for last year's loans may not
Allow enough to plant another season.

Buildings rise with people
Outdoors all day long with no relief.
And those whose homes are streets receive
No relief at night.

In other places, parched like ours,
When rains do come, they come in torrents,
Breaking levees, flooding streets and homes.

We pray with our neighbors:
Lord, in your mercy,
Send us gentle rain.

Bullets and bombs, unexpected but not surprising
Rip flesh from bones, leave children dead or orphaned.
Those there to help are helpless,
In uniforms or no, in cities or near desert wastes.

Children's bellies distend then fall when hope is lost:
Too dry to grow or drink where they are now.
We pay the bills, or don't, and keep or lose our comfort
Or our homes. They have no one to whom to pay a bill
To keep safe shelter or their lives.

We pray with all the world:
Lord, in your mercy,
Let justice come down like waters,
Your righteousness a life-giving stream.