Prophets of a Future Not Our Own

Here’s a copy of the prayer “Prophets of a Future Not Our Own” written by Ken Untener, (1979) that we’re using in our worship service on January 18th.

It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view.
The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,
it is beyond our vision…
This is what we are about:
We plant seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted,
knowing that they hold future promise.
We lay foundations that will need further development.
We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities.
We cannot do everything
and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.
This enables us to do something,
and to do it well.
I may be incomplete,
but it is a beginning,
a step along the way,
an opportunity
For God’s grace to enter and to do the rest.
We may never see the end results,
but that is the difference between
the master builder and the worker.
We are workers, not master builders,
ministers, not messiahs.
We are prophets of a future not our own.
Amen.