Continuity with generations past

Music by Linda Louisa The roll call grows of those whose blood no longer flows and who have moved on to higher things. I thank and praise You, Lord, for the memory of those heroic ones who have passed at last beyond the ravages of time and dust to take their place in the great communion of saints. May we play our part now to the full, so that we ourselves will be no less when our time comes. Lord God of History, Author of all Mystery, How fiercely the enemy seeks to smother the wisdom of every other time, so that each generation struggles up the climb, unable to perceive the clear connections that deeper reflections would bestow. Lord, hold our spirits fast to lessons from the past, and then display true skill to implement Your will. God of our fathers, those pioneers and settlers, conquerors and seers, when my lens is true I can begin to view the links and patterns that perpetuate Your blessing as well as those that cause such strife in my life; strong invisible threads that Heavenly hands have meshed together but which fleshly fingers seek to pull asunder, and demonic claws to shred. Free us from the deadweight of diseased inheritance, So that we, Your beloveds, can inherit the blessings bestowed in prayer by those who learned to weep. God of History, when I am feeling daunted and taunted and inclined to snap, help me call to mind the memory of Your many past deliverances, and to trust that You will do the same with the seeds I give you now. God of explanation, drop Your plumb line and open wide the lens that reveals our hidden pride, and the weaknesses that are our special temptation. Then let the searchlight of Your love enable us to face our deep seated dissonance so that we may shine like the brightest stars and rise above our ever present scars. To those that are crying out for Grace be assured there is no drought in heaven. No lessening of God's seventy times seven. You are indeed the God of the 2nd, 3rd and 30th chance. But we cannot ask You to re-strand and re-launch our lives unless we are willing to allow You to apply Your lance and resist all backward glance.