Father God,

Today, I pray against the patterns of quick reflexive judgements prevalent in our society from bottom to top. We have been a society in which tempered and slow reflection before a calm and tempered response has disappeared, being replaced by soundbytes and emotional outbursts.

From the relationships between individuals to the discussions of doctrine to the policies of the nation, we rush through to finish and to win rather than to understand and agree and maintain fellowship.

The speed of the world has consumed us, has convinced us that we must rush, has hindered our ability to love one another. Teach us to slow down and listen. Teach us to slow down and dialogue. Teach us to slow down and love one another.

Then let that loving one another in calm, unrushed dialogue bring us to a deeper and stronger connection both with one another AND with You in truth that we find together rather than tightly held positions which we try to force upon one another.

In Christ’s Name,

Amen.