Midland Texas who wrote this prayer for the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) – a prayer that is applicable in many different situations.
“The tongue of the wise distills knowledge…”
Proverbs 15:2 (New Revised Standard Version)
“The tongue that soothes is a tree of life; the barbed tongue, a breaker of hearts”
Proverbs 15: 4 (The Jerusalem Bible)
Our General Assembly usually deals with difficult and sensitive issues. This year some of the discussions will not be easy because there are levels of disagreements on the interpretation of issues like ordination standards, abortion, war, justice and form of government. We know that it is possible to have civil discussions. Therefore, instead of becoming discouraged and being reactive to the issues with which we have to deal, let us be positive and pro-active setting a new tone for the discussions. I invite commissioners, General Assembly staff, general participants, and all concerned for the General Assembly to pray together…
Oh Lord, give us a Civil Tongue
Leader: Lord, we are aware that our tongue may be “a tree of life” as well as “a breaker of hearts”. Help us to have the tongue that distills knowledge and love.
People: Oh Lord, give us a Civil Tongue
Leader: Lord we want to learn to respect our brothers and sisters and avoid the temptation to demonize them because they do not think the same way we think.
People: Oh Lord, give us a Civil Tongue
Leader: Lord, help us to defeat the temptation of considering the other side as non-Christians or heretics. Never allow our tongues to put them down or diminished their value as human beings.
People: Oh Lord, give us a Civil Tongue
Leader: Lord, remind us every day that we are each others' keepers. Do not permit that our tongues keep silence when we see injustices and discrimination against them even when we have differences and disagreements.
People: Oh Lord, give us a Civil Tongue
Leader: Lord, help us to learn that your holy temple has been built of stones of different sizes but with the same texture. We hope the love of Jesus will be the texture that creates the cohesion we need to be the holy temple in spite of our differences.
People: Oh Lord, give us a Civil Tongue
Leader: Lord, help us to remember that our tongues should be a fountain of blessing to edify our brothers and sisters. Help us to see your face and to discover your holy presence on those who think different from us.
People: Oh Lord, give us a Civil Tongue
Leader: Lord, help us to discover the truth and righteousness that dwells in the context of hospitality, civility and respectful love. Help us to remember that holiness and justice are not in contradiction with love and compassion.
People: Oh Lord, give us a Civil Tongue
Leader: Lord, help us to understand that if our position does not prevail it doesn’t mean that your presence and your word have abandoned the church because your word stays forever.
People: Oh Lord, give us a tongue that may be a “tree of life”.
The Rev. Jose Luis Casal, General Missioner, Tres Rios Presbytery, Midland Texas