One of my favorite people I met while I was a member of Community of Christ is Elray Henriksen. Elray is a big force that advocates for Book of Mormon literacy, spurred the modern conversation on Community of Christ’s relationship with peace a decade ago, and speaks boldly about the need for social justice. He is someone I deeply respect and look up to spiritually.
This year at Community of Christ’s World Conference, Elray was asked to give a prayer to begin a worship service. His prayer was touching to me, and so I wanted to transcribe it and preserve it here. Enjoy!
Our God, who lives:
You came and lived among us; we know you through Jesus. You ate with us, laughed with us, and were full of joy with and for us. But when you faced the powers of the world, we became afraid, uncertain, and heart broken as we saw you die on the cross.
But you didn’t stay away for long; you came back to us in our hiding place, to give us your peace. Not the kind of peace the world gives; it was a peace that turned over the merchants’ tables in the Temple. A peace that challenged religious leaders who worked with those in power. A peace that – even when arrested and facing military rule – spoke the truth about the coming of the kingdom of love.
And when you stood among us, clothed in eternity, we understood what that meant: that peace begins within us, in our hearts. When the economy falls and fails the poor, we rise and share your bread. When war spreads and destroys, our hearts beat with your blood for peace and justice. When the world’s leaders speak lies, we hear your true words whispering to us, “You. Are. Loved.”
We open our arms, lift our heads, and go out into the whole world to spread the message of your resurrection and the restoration of all things, so others can also join in in what is good and new.
Today we gather to ordain brothers and sisters into leadership in your community, just like those in the past who were sent out to serve your mission of peace in the world. Your peace, not like the world gives. You are the one who creates the way with new hope for change. You challenge false traditions and include everyone. You are free. You go wherever you want, and you build up where others want to tear down.
These servants are called by you. We are joyful about the calling they now feel, and want to follow. Remember all those who are in your service, and send us all out today, God of Truth. Help us open the generous gates of your kin-dom to others in our time and draw the circle wide.
We pray to you in Jesus’s name, the one anointed by a poor prophet woman in our collective memory to do yet another miracle among us. Let it be so, amen.