The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
– Psalm 27:1a

Well, God, how about I make a list?

• Zealots with guns.
• Leaders of nations unrestrained by law, compassion, or mercy.
• A changing climate.
• Greedy self-interest unrestrained by regard for neighbor.
• Greedy self-interest empowered by injustice.
• Greedy self-interest.
• “We can win this nuclear war.”
• I’m OK with heights, but please don’t drop me into the depths.
• Greedy self-interest.
• An asteroid on a collision course with Earth.
• A plugged snorkel tube.
• Routinized injustice.
• And… Greedy self-interest, including my own.

With so many and so much to fear –
including the greed of my own heart –
let me take courage in your light.
May I find strength in your salvation.

Do not cast me off,
do not forsake me,
O God of my salvation!
Psalm 27:9c

A poem/prayer based on Psalm 27:1, 4-9, the Revised Common Lectionary Psalm reading for Year A, Third Sunday after Epiphany.

“Earthrise” photo by NASA/Bill Anders – http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/a410/AS8-14-2383HR.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=306267.