A Prayer Meditation for the World

Based on Isaiah 65:17–25; Revelation 21:1–6

When I meditate on these passages, a prayer wells up:

O Lord God of Heaven and Earth, we see the world around us writhing in pain at the same time that babies are born, bringing the delight of new life amid death and destruction. We dance and we cry over and over. Every night the evening news gets louder as the reporters raise the volume and the pace of their voices with urgency about the latest despicable actions of those who have lost any sense of love and compassion. We seem looped into a cycle of pain and suffering.

Isaiah brought us a beautiful vision of the creative work that the book of Revelation promises God is going to accomplish. But, there are many long centuries between the prophecies, the vision, and our experience. Sometimes we feel as if we are standing on the edge of the crater of hell, seeing the evil bubbling closer and closer to the surface where we stand. Our day-to-day world is beginning to resemble the description of the Great Tribulation. O Lord, help our world find a positive way forward. Give ear to the prayers of your people crying out night and day for help.

Surely, in every generation there have been people who experienced severe tribulation. But, when it comes over and over from every direction, day after day, we begin to lose heart, for we instinctively know that there is no way for this to subside or end without something monumental happening. We hardly know what to seek in prayer. It seems so hopeless.

The book of Revelation ends with, “Come, Lord Jesus.” That is certainly an understandable way to pray: “Come, Lord, put away this evil once for all. Come establish your Kingdom of Love and Righteousness forever. Come end the shameless evil and long suffering of innocent people.” But, Isaiah holds up a portal through which we see God’s vision and hear God’s longings; and from that, we can pray and live more effectively. When our prayers are in tune with God’s purpose, we can be sure that the answers will come.

So, what does God envision? For what does God long? It is surprisingly simple and practical. God wants what we want—for people to be able to build houses and live in them, and plant vineyards, gardens and fields. He wants open green space, fresh water, clean air—safe space for animals and people, where a wolf and a lamb can have their needs met without one being prey of another.

He desires people to be steady like strong oak trees, faithful to place, family and community. It is not God’s will for people to labor in vain, with a sense of futility. God longs for blessings of fruitful lives to flow from one generation to another, and that their prayers will be met before they even notice the need to ask. In God’s vision, no one prays and gets no answers; but prayers are in tune with His longings.

So, to heal our world today and for the future, let’s pray for what God longs for—for the vision of Isaiah to be fulfilled—with humanity rejoicing and glad forever in what God has been creating all along. While we cannot see the end result yet, we have the promises of the Gospel that He has redeemed, is redeeming and will redeem and create a new Heaven and a new earth in which His people will live together in peace with all of life—and will be glad and rejoice forever as they allow themselves to change and become truly the people in whom God delights.

Hear our prayer, O Lord:

Please move in every country to restore faith among all people and lead people of all nations to fall in love with the earth, the sky, the water, each plant, tree and each creature—and to love one another. Restore the joy of family, the comfort of home, the fellowship of community, the satisfaction of good work, and the faith to believe in Your creative, redemptive power.

Encourage hope to rebuild houses where destruction has brought ruin—to plant vineyards and gardens, and live in harmony with nature and people of all cultures. Teach us how to make peace through humility rather than increasing division through competition and domination. Help us let go of our willfulness that is rooted in fear of losing or being mistreated; and help us gather courage to love and not hate, to help and not fight.

May the Spirit of Jesus the Christ enter our souls and make us whole. May goodness and kindness replace jealousy and retaliation. May mercy and hospitality replace prejudice and blame. May the gift of redemption overcome our “name, blame and shame” games so that we forgive one another. Yes, Lord, may Your beautiful vision of what You are creating be seen with our spiritual eyes and give us hope that even now You are working toward that beautiful purpose. Guide us to find ways to help Your dream come true; for when we do, our prayers will be answered, too. Amen.