A Prayer for the Men and Women of Lower Wacker

God, tonight I lift up to you the men and women of Lower Wacker. Thank you for their lives. I appreciate tonight that you designed them in your image just as you designed me, and you delight in every step, every word, every breath they breathe just as much as you delight in mine...perhaps more. For they are the truly humble, the meek, the wise. Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Thank you for Charles' lesson this evening on that Kingdom. As I shivered uncomfortably in the cold, he warmly spoke Truth about your impending return and how we ought not try so hard to appear good to anyone as much as you - for you are the Judge of what is good and right and you see the true heart of a person. When that day comes, You are all that matters and if we hold You, Jesus, above all else we will enter your pearly gates with joy. "Pray for me and my wife, Yolanda...we will surely be praying for you." A selfless promise on this freezing night underneath Chicago on Lower Wacker.

Great Physician, our touch, band-aids, and pills offer short-term aid to the illnesses of the homeless...by your grace, heal the sick of Lower Wacker.
Beautiful Supplier, our hot meal fills bellies for a night...in your mercy, bring eternal sustenance to the souls of Lower Wacker.
Abba Daddy, our words of encouragement are earnest but they are fleeting...with your love, comfort the hearts of Lower Wacker.

Lord, continue to burden our hearts with the needs of these men and women that tomorrow might not make them "out of sight, out of mind". Bless us with compassion and creativity to continue to reach out to this community. Thank you for Dr. Karen, the students, and the volunteers that have a passion for serving people. Continue to grow this desire in us.

Father, as I retire to my warm bed to the sound of consistent heat running through my vents, please warm the bodies of the not so fortunate. Humble me and keep me grateful....ever looking outward and not so blindly inward.

To the Healer, Supplier, Comforter, and Justice-Bearer (if not in this life, then surely in the life to come), be all praise, honor, and glory tonight and forever. Amen

"But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish." -Psalm 9:18