A Liturgy from Praying the News
For the Launch of
a New Technology
“The whole earth had the same language and vocabulary. As people migrated from the east, they found a valley in the land of Shinar and settled there. They said to each other… ‘Come, let’s build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the sky. Let’s make a name for ourselves; otherwise, we will be scattered throughout the earth.’
Then the LORD came down to look over the city and the tower that the humans were building. The LORD said, ‘If they have begun to do this as one people all having the same language, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let’s go down there and confuse their language so that they will not understand one another’s speech.’ So from there the LORD scattered them throughout the earth, and they stopped building the city. Therefore it is called Babylon, for there the Lord confused the language of the whole earth, and from there the LORD scattered them throughout the earth.”
Genesis 11:1–9 (CSB)
God Our Creator,you are the Great Inventor of Everything,the only one who creates out of nothingthings that did not exist before;who speaks, and the universe bursts into beingto do your bidding.
Our most impressive creative actsare just a rearranging of your handiwork,an imitation of your sacred ordering.We puff our chests and celebrate our feat—toddlers whose blocks faintly echo the Taj Mahal.But you don’t scorn or scoff at us.Like a proud parent, you celebratewhen our building enriches your world,and correctwhen our tower twists out of orderyour divine design.
Our drive to invent is a gift from you.We give thanks for those technologies that equip usto work, to learn, to connect, and to serve;thank you for equipping creatorsto relieve suffering and save lives.Giver of Every Good Gift, Maker of Makers,the glory is yours.
As an impressive technology fights for our attention,promising ease and prosperity,we turn our eyes to you,our true comfort and eternal treasure.
When a new innovation persuades usof our own importance,
humble us.
When novelty and endless informationdistract us from our mission,
redirect us.
When pursuing productivity leaves uslistless and exhausted,
give us rest.
When we measure ourselves and othersaccording to our output,
teach us from whom value comes.
When automation’s advancesrearrange or eliminate human labor,
provide dignified vocation.
When blockbuster technology means our prosperity,
protect us from greed’s snareand make us generous.
When we wield technology to take control of our destiny,
chasten us.
O Divine Orderer,teach us our place in your kingdom’s pattern.Direct our use of technology to build up othersand point to your good design.May we seek in every work to reflect you,never to rival you,Our Matchless King of Creation.
Amen
100+ prayers for the headlines
Praying the News
This liturgy is one of many. Through Scripture, stained-glass illustrations, and psalmic prayers, Steph Juliot helps you carry the news to the Lord instead of carrying it alone.
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