Easter Hymn

Come away to the skies, my beloved arise
and rejoice in the day thou wast born;
on this festival day, come exulting away,
and with singing to Zion return.

For the glory we were first created to share,
both the nature and kingdom divine!
Now created again that our lives may remain,
throughout time and eternity thine.

We with thanks do approve the design of that love
which hath joined us to Jesus' Name;
so united in heart, let us never more part,
till we meet at the feast of the Lamb.

Text: Charles Wesley
Tune: Middlebury

The Hymnal 1982 #213

Prayer for "Laughter" Sunday

…amid the laughter and celebration of this day, it’s good that we pause and remember that many carry burdens that need not be carried alone. (prayer requests)

God of grace, God of love and laughter, we thank you that we are so wondrously created and that we are made for relationship with you and with one another. We thank you for laughter with friends and loved ones. We thank you for the laughter of children, and the song it creates in our hearts.

By your great unending love, you inspire in us a spirit of imagination and creativity. Help us to use that spirit to play more, to laugh more, and to create beauty in every way possible. Remind us to laugh out loud, for doing so will heal some of the wounds within us. Not all, but some.

God, we pray for those who cannot find their laughter today. For those who are grieving, or suffering illness of body, mind or spirit...for those who are lonely and in need of someone to share their time and friendship... for those who have not yet moved into the season and spirit of Easter and find themselves stuck in the gloom of Good Friday.

May these and the troubles of all your people be soothed, blessed, and comforted by your holy presence. May we each find the laughter within us that sets our spirits free, and in that freedom, may we take your love into every part of our lives. These and all the prayers of our hearts we offer now in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray together singing…

Saturday's Prayer

Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, heal me. Blood of Christ, drench me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. Good Jesus, hear me.In your wounds shelter me. From turning away keep me. From the evil one protect me. At the hour of me death call me. Into your presence lead me, to praise you with all your saintsfor ever and ever. Amen.

Chancel wallpainting. The resurrected Christ. 14th century

Chalgrove, Oxfordshire by Vitrearum

Oh my Beloved Adonai
You are alive for me today.
Seeing the wind caress the branches
Of the trees
I am delivered by Your grace into the infinity of Your existence.

You are alive in me today.
I feel Your presence coursing through my body and
Burning my heart with a golden fire.
Your voice -- such sweet silent flames of raging love
That purify me in blissful splendor but do not consume me.

Oh My Beloved
Oh Ever Faithful One
Open my mouth so that my lips may declare Your praise now and always
Open my heart to Your Love now and forever.

"Early Morning Blessing" - Ronald Bedrick

"Burning Bush" textile - Chana Cromer

Thursday prayer

From the cowardice that dares not face new truths,
From the laziness that is contented with half truths,
From the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth,
Good Lord, deliver me.
--Bread for Tomorrow, Kenya

Tuesday Prayer

I've never been part of a tradition that officially celebrated the Annunciation. To me, rediscovering or uncovering a celebration day allows for tremendous freedom to create and imagine new traditions and rituals. Whatever your experience with Annunciation, I pray that your creativity is also unleashed today.

Suggestions for celebrating Annunciation Day
Pray
"Creator and Lover, I delight in all the unexpected ways you make yourself known to me. Although I sometimes feel afraid or tired when I learn about the tasks you have prepared for me, I rejoice that you will always with be with me. I count on your strength to sustain me. You are my delight! With you, all things are truly possible. Amen."
Or
"Hail Mary, full of grace
Emmanuel, God is with you.
Blessed are you, and blessed is your child Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother to all.
Pray for God's people,
Now and always."
From the Feminist Rosary

Be your own spiritual director
Spend some time considering a question, such as:

What within you is waiting to be born?
How has God appeared to you recently and what was your reaction?
What, if any, connection do you feel with Mary?

Walk in beauty
Enjoy one of the many pieces of art depicting the Annunciation.

Spring to life
Rejoice in the connection between the day of the conception of Jesus and the promise of spring. If you live in a climate where spring is not yet in evidence outside, relax and enjoy the carefree abundance of spring indoors. Bring in flowers. Turn up the heat, put on your prettiest spring dress and dance around the living room. Snuggle with your pet or your child or your sweetie. Eat the rest of your Easter candy.

Read all about it
You might want to read the story of the annunciation from the book of Luke.
You can find detailed descriptions at Wikipedia and About.com. For an interesting article about the connection between the Annunciation and the celebrations of many other religions, check this out. Or take a trip to Bulgaria to a shrine dedicated to the Annunciation.

Hail Thee, Festival Day

Hail thee, festival day!
blest day that are hallowed forever,
day whereon Christ arose,
breaking the kingdom of death.

Lo, the fair beauty of earth,
from the death of winter arising!
Every good gift of the year
now with its Master returns:

Daily the loveliness grows,
adorned with the glory of blossom;
heaven her gates unbars,
flinging her increase of light:

Spirit of life and of power,
now flow in us, fount of our being,
light that dost lighten all,
life that in all dost abide:

Praise to the Giver of good!
Thou Love who art author of concord,
pour out thy balm on our souls,
order our ways in thy peace:

Text: Venantius Fortunatus
Tune: Ralph Vaughan Williams

The Hymnal 1982 175
Church Publishing Incorporated

Easter Prayer

God of wonder and new life, on this day of joy, we give you thanks and praise. We thank you that the story of our faith is made new for us again with the rising of the sun. We pray that the good news of new life in Jesus has lifted the shadows that rested on so many hearts this past week. Thank you God for the power of your love to prevail over the forces of death and despair.

God, so many people in our world, some far from here and some next to us in the pew, are stuck in the sadness and gloom of Good Friday. For these beloved children of your Creation, Easter has not yet arrived in their souls. Grief, pain, loneliness, addiction, poverty, hunger and oppression are only a few of the burdens that your people bear. Lighten these loads, Holy One, and bring the light of your power and presence to all in need of some Easter joy today. Perhaps in some small way, each of us can be a bearer of that joy to someone looking for hope. May it be so, God, this Easter day and every day, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Holy Saturday

This is a prayer for Holy Saturday;

O God, creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, 1979. Public Domain.)

Icon of Christ the Bridegroom - "Extreme Humility"

This icon represents Christ's complete obedience to the will of God, even to the point of humiliation and physical abuse. It represents his beatings at the hands of Pilate, as well as his crucifixion on the cross. It shows Jesus standing within the tomb

Psalm 69
Save me, O God,*
for the waters have risen up to my neck.
I am sinking in deep mire,*
and there is no firm ground for my feet.
I have come into deep waters,*
and the torrent washes over me.
I have grown weary with my crying;
my throat is inflamed;*
my eyes have failed from looking for my God.
Those who hate me without a cause
are more than the hairs of my head;
my lying foes who would destroy me are mighty.*
Must I then give back what I never stole?
O God, you know my foolishness,*
and my faults are not hidden from you.
Let not those who hope in you
be put to shame through me, Lord God of hosts;*
let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me,
O God of Israel.
Surely, for your sake have I suffered reproach,*
and shame has covered my face.
I have become a stranger to my own kindred,*
an alien to my mother’s children.
Zeal for your house has eaten me up;*
the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.
I humbled myself with fasting,*
but that was turned to my reproach.
I put on sack-cloth also,*
and became a byword among them.
Those who sit at the gate murmur against me,*
and the drunkards make songs about me.
But as for me, this is my prayer to you,*
at the time you have set, O Lord:
‘In your great mercy, O God,*
answer me with your unfailing help.
‘Save me from the mire; do not let me sink;*
let me be rescued from those who hate me
and out of the deep waters.
‘Let not the torrent of waters wash over me,
neither let the deep swallow me up;*
do not let the Pit shut its mouth upon me.
‘Answer me, O Lord, for your love is kind;*
in your great compassion, turn to me.
‘Hide not your face from your servant;*
be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.
‘Draw near to me and redeem me;*
because of my enemies deliver me.
‘You know my reproach, my shame and my dishonour;*
my adversaries are all in your sight.’
Reproach has broken my heart and it cannot be healed;*
I looked for sympathy, but there was none,
for comforters, but I could find no one.
They gave me gall to eat,*
and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
As for me, I am afflicted and in pain;*
your help, O God, will lift me up on high.
I will praise the name of God in song;*
I will proclaim his greatness with thanksgiving.
This will please the Lord more than an offering of oxen,*
more than bullocks with horns and hoofs.
The afflicted shall see and be glad;*
you who seek God, your heart shall live.
For the Lord listens to the needy,*
and his prisoners he does not despise.
Let the heavens and the earth praise him,*
the seas and all that moves in them;
For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah;*
they shall live there and have it in possession.
The children of his servants will inherit it,*
and those who love his name will dwell therein.

Prayer in Sorrow

God of all consolation, in Your unending love and mercy for us, You turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life. Show compassion to Your people in sorrow. Be our refuge and our strength to lift us from the darkness of this grief to peace and joy in Your presence. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday Prayer

Neither you Simon, nor the fifty thousand
Nor the Romans, nor the Jews
Nor Judas, nor the twelve
Nor the priests, nor the scribes
Nor doomed Jerusalem itself
Understand what power is
Understand what glory is
Understand at all
Understand at all
If you knew all that I knew
My poor Jerusalem
You'd see the truth
But you'd close your eyes
But you'd close your eyes
While you live
Your troubles are many
Poor Jerusalem
To conquer death
You only have to die
You only have to die



Poor Jerusalem
Sung by Jesus
Jesus Christ Superstar

Palm Sunday Litany of Resistance to Violence

For the victims of war
Have mercy
For the maimed and the crippled
Have mercy
For the abandoned and the homeless
Have mercy
For the imprisoned and the tortured
Have mercy
For the widowed and the orphaned
Have mercy
For those fleeing in terror
Have mercy

From the arrogance of power
Deliver us
From the poverty of violence
Deliver us
From the tyranny of greed
Deliver us
From the ugliness of racism
Deliver us
From the hysteria of nationalism
Deliver us
From the seduction of wealth
Deliver us
From the blasphemy and madness of war
Deliver us...

With the help of God's grace
We will struggle for justice
With the compassion of Christ
We will stand for what is true
In the end there are three things that last
Faith, hope and love, and the greatest of these is love.

Jim Loney

Palm Sunday Prayer

(Adapted liberally from a prayer written by Annabel Shilson-Thomas, UK)

Jesus, you set your face towards Jerusalem and walked alongside those who suffer. Be our vision that we too may walk the way of compassion and extend a hand to those we meet.
Lord, hear our prayer…
And in your love, answer.

Lord, you stopped to heal the sick and tend to those broken in body, mind or spirit. Be our vision that we too may be a source of healing to all in need of your grace.
Lord, hear our prayer…

Jesus, you said, “The first shall be last and the last first.” Be our vision that we too may work towards your realm – when the marginalized and oppressed will be raised up and know that they are indeed beloved children of the Holy.
Lord, hear our prayer…

Jesus, you took the time to pray and to be silent. Be our vision that through our prayers, meditation and reflection we may draw closer to you and find our way on this journey of faith.
Lord, hear our prayer…

Lord, you entered Jerusalem with peace in your heart. Be our vision that we too can live as people of peace in the face of the world’s many conflicts. May we hold your vision of justice and peace ever before us.

Bless us, O Blessed One, as we enter into the days ahead of us. We will need your power and presence to sustain us as we move through these difficult days together. Spirit of Love and Life, stay close.

These and all the prayers of our hearts we offer in faith, as we pray the way you taught us to pray, singing…

Saturday Prayer

Prayer for Passion week.

Father, teach me your way this week. Teach me how to leave my selfish, sinful ways at the foot of the cross, and teach me how Jesus my Savior is willing to bear those sins in his own body and be punished for them. Lord, how can I thank you for this great salvation? I worship you and your amazing power: Jesus is greater than death, and could not be conquered. When he died, I know that my sins were destroyed: it happened "once for all time". And when you raised him three days later, you taught us that we too could be raised. I confess my many sins Lord Jesus: I lay them down at the foot of the cross. I turn away from them and ask you to give me a new way of living in the world. Walk with me this week, Father. Teach me your way.

Painting at Galería de dibujos

A Prayer Before Palm Sunday

And do we yet understand,
Lord Jesus,
as the year go by
and we hear the story again?

Can a poor man on a donkey
dying like a slave
succeed?

We like success so much,
the kind you feel and touch
and put your hands on
right away.




What success
can anyone find
in a Cross?

Or is there success
in faithfulness?
When you can say:
"Your will be done!"
"Father, forgive them."

Like the two from Emmaus
we hope for easy gain.
Come walk at our side,
and tell us what matters most,
O Lord. -- author unknown

Thursday prayer

O Lord,
You have mercy on all,
take away from me my sins,
and mercifully set me ablaze
with the fire of Your Holy Spirit.
Take away from me the heart of stone,
and give me a human heart,
a heart to love and adore You,
a heart to delight in You,
to follow and enjoy You.
Amen.

I am no longer my own, but yours.
Put met to what you will, rank me with whom you will;
put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by you or laid aside by you,
enabled for you or brought low by you.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
you are mine, and I am yours. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.

Tuesday Prayer

Loving God,
You have heard my complaints, my impatience.
Sometimes I become frightened when I move away from you.
Guide my heart back to you.
Help me to think beyond my own wants
and to desire only to do you will.

Thank you for the many blessings in my life
and for the ways I feel your presence.

(From Creighton University's Lenten prayer site,

the first thing you get if you google "lent prayer")

Peace Prayer

Deep peace of the running wave to you,
of water flowing, rising and falling,
sometimes advancing, sometimes receding...
May the stream of your life flow unimpeded!
Deep peace of the running wave to you!

Deep peace of the flowing air to you,
which fans your face on a sultry day,
the air which you breathe deeply, rhythmically,
which imparts to you energy, consciousness, life
Deep peace of the flowing air to you!

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you,
who, herself unmoving, harbours the movements
and facilitates the life of the ten thousand creatures,
while resting contented, stable, tranquil.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you!

Deep peace of the shining stars to you,
which stay invisible till darkness falls,
and disclose their pure and shining presence
beaming down in compassion on your turning world.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you!

Mary Rogers, adapted from the Gaelic
Earth Prayers (Harper SanFrancisco, 1991)

Sunday Prayer

God of Life and Love, God of Miracle and Wonder, in thanks we offer these and all the prayers of our hearts, minds and souls. We thank you for the power of your presence in our midst to inspire and bring about renewal of life. Even in the driest, most empty, seasons of our lives, you are there, breathing life even into the sad hidden corners of our spirits.

Thank you God for all of the times you have breathed your saving breath upon us. In those times that seemed so hopeless, your grace has infused us with life-giving hope. We praise you, O God, for your healing, loving presence with us.

God, help us to be set free from all that binds us and keeps us from living the abundant life that you offer us in Jesus. Help us also to unbind and set free those around us who need our help to find their true freedom and faith.

May those who are bound by fear, or grief, or desperation, or loneliness, be set free by a comforting word offered by a friend. May those who are bound by hunger, homelessness, political oppression, prejudice, or addiction be set free by the work of justice-seeking by your church in the world.

God, we pray that all who are bound by the emptiness within their own souls might set their spirits free and celebrate your presence. Guide us, as a community of faith, in all that we do and all that we are, for the sake of the One who calls us ever forward, Jesus Christ, who taught his friends to pray saying…

Saturday's prayer

Last week, I was away teaching clergy Ministerial Integrity. The prayer blog slipped completely from my mind. The week before I had promised Lorna, I would post for her, but it again slipped from my mind. I know, I know it is called stress. But today I remembered.

Father, Mother, God, Thank you for your presence during the hard and mean days. For then we have you to lean upon. Thank you for your presence during the bright and sunny days, for then we can share that which we have with those who have less. And thank you for your presence during the Holy Days, for then we are able to celebrate you and our families and our friends. For those who have no voice, we ask you to speak. For those who feel unworthy, we ask you to pour your love out in waterfalls of tenderness. For those who live in pain, we ask you to bathe them in the river of your healing. For those who are lonely, we ask you to keep them company. For those who are depressed, we ask you to shower upon them the light of hope. Dear Creator, You, the borderless sea of substance, we ask you to give to all the world that which we need most—Peace.

prayer - maya angelou

picture

of Niagara Falls on the Canada Side

by Thomas Johnson at Flickr

Mid-Lenten Prayer

Great Friend,
I’m not yet up to the total make-over.
Help me proceed, as Italians say,
lentamente, slowly.

- William J. O’Malley



Photo by Sean Unruh

Dearest Lord,
Lead me from death to life,
Lead me from falsehood to truth,
Lead me from despair to hope,
Lead me from fear to trust,
Lead me from hate to love,
Lead me from war to peace,

Let Peace fill me
Let Peace fill my heart,
Let Peace fill my home,
Let Peace fill the church,
Let Peace fill our world.
Amen.

Tuesday Prayer

Bless us, Lord, with your peace;
make your light shine within us,
so that your presence may be known
and your love appear to all people.
Let all earth's nations honor you
and all people shout out your praise:
Christian, Muslim, Jew,
idol worshiper, agnostic,
Buddhist, Taoist, scientist
brown-skinned, yellow and white.
Let wisdom speak in their hearts
and justice light up their eyes.
Let all of them feel your presence
and sing out in the fullness of joy.


Psalm 67 from
A Book of Psalms by Stephen Mitchell

Miserere

Remember Holy Mother
That never was it known
That anyone approached Thee, out of pain,
and found within Thy beauty
the silence of a stone
and took her sorrow to the night again.

This confidence inspires me
to stand before your shrine:
a child of sorrow and despair.

I lay my small petitions
upon this Throne of thine
and light the golden candles with my prayer....

Mother of Jesus, hear and answer me.

Wendy Farley, The Wounding and Healing of Desire
(Westminster John Knox, 2005), p. 35.

Sunday Prayer

God of all seasons, at times, this Lenten path feels as if it will never end. Deep down, we all know that it will, but the winter seems determined to stay past its welcome and signs of spring are but a dream hovering in the distance. Help us to keep putting the hope of Easter before us on the horizon. It will come.

Until then, God, keep us focused and attentive as we remember Jesus and his long trek to Jerusalem. Help us to see his face reflected in the people around us every day. Open our eyes to the needs of a hurting world and guide us as we seek to participate in its healing.

We thank you for worship that brings all of us the encouragement and strength we need to make our way through these final weeks of Lent. Soon we will find ourselves together at the cross. We will need one another more than ever in that harsh, cold place. Bless us as we prepare our hearts and spirits for the days ahead.

Gracious God, thank you for your abiding presence and for the peace you bring to our souls. Surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we shall live in your sacred presence forever. Amen.