Continuing with the Wendell Berry theme today, the following is one of the first prayers I read of his.
I love it, because it re-members grace and confidence in my bones. --kjm
When I rise up
let me rise up joyful
like a bird
When I fall
let me fall without regret
like a leaf
-Wendell Berry
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday Prayer
I part the out thrusting branches
and come in beneath
the blessed and the blessing trees.
Though I am silent
there is singing around me.
Though I am dark
there is vision around me.
Though I am heavy
there is flight around me.
-Wendell Berry
Today, I am grateful for the vision and flight and song of the blessed and blessing trees.
Amen.
and come in beneath
the blessed and the blessing trees.
Though I am silent
there is singing around me.
Though I am dark
there is vision around me.
Though I am heavy
there is flight around me.
-Wendell Berry
Today, I am grateful for the vision and flight and song of the blessed and blessing trees.
Amen.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Prayer for Proper 17A/Ordinary 22A/Pentecost +11
Oh God, you who are the great I am,
Who appeared to Moses in a burning bush;
Make yourself known to us today.
Guide us as you guided the Israelites to the Promised Land.
You know our sufferings in life, our misery, and our stressors;
Deliver us as well.
Hear our cry for those in the wake of the hurricane Irene,
and for those who have already been effected by her strong winds.
Hear our plea for relief for those who in other parts of our country and world
have been experiencing major drought, for those living in famine.
Hear our prayer for those who have faced devastation and loss of life
from all the recent earthquakes that have occurred around the world.
Hear our request for liberation for those who are oppressed, under attack,
Held captive, and fear for their lives and wellbeing.
God of our ancestors,
We pray for healing and rehabilitation those in our midst who are ill,
facing surgeries, or recovering from surgeries.
We pray for strength, courage and comfort for those facing death,
those who have had loved ones to die.
Lord of community,
You have transformed us to be your people,
By showing us how to love as your son, Jesus loved;
By giving us your hope;
By filling us with patience to endure and persevere through the hard times;
By teaching us to welcome the strangers,
By pouring your grace into us so that we become generous to those in need;
By giving us your joy, we can rejoice with those who rejoice;
By weeping for your friend Lazarus, we can weep with those who weep;
By forgiving us, we can forgive others;
By feeding us, we can feed the hungry;
By filling up our inner thirst, we can give the cup of cold water to those who thirst; and
By your power to overcome evil, we can also overcome evil with good.
We do all these things to glorify you and to bring your kingdom here on earth.
And so as children of God we pray now the prayer Jesus taught his disciples….
cross posted at revgalblogpals
Painting of Moses and the burning bush by Chagall
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Saturday: set free
The Master was exceedingly gracious
to university dons who visited him,
but he would never reply to their
questions or be drawn into their
theological speculations.
To his disciples, who marveled at
this, he said, "Can one talk about
the ocean to a frog in a well--or
about the divine to people who are
restricted by their concepts?"
~Anthony DeMello, from One Minute Wisdom~
Friday, August 26, 2011
A Prayer as the Storm Approaches
Today I am remembering beautiful North Carolina, where my husband and I lived for three years (at Camp Lejeune, during our USMC days), of Virginia and of Washington, DC (two other places where we have lived, worshipped, made friends, and raised children). My thoughts are with you, Rev Gals and Pals (and others) on the USA's east coast.
Creator God of earth and sea and sky, we pray together today for those who are preparing their homes and business for the storm ahead. We pray for endurance and strength and help when needed.
We pray for those who are on the roads heading inland--some alone and some with a spouse or partner, with children, with beloved pets. We pray for calm and care on the highways.
We pray for those who are trying to make critical decisions to have wisdom.
We pray for police officers, firefighters, ambulance crews, medical personnel and others in positions of authority to be caring, cautious and wise as well.
We pray for those preparing shelter spaces, and we pray for those who may occupy those spaces.
We pray for pregnant women who are soon to deliver.
We pray for others who may fear an approaching need for help they may have trouble accessing
We pray for what is good in the human spirit to rise and for ignoble desires to shrink.
We pray, as always for your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen
Creator God of earth and sea and sky, we pray together today for those who are preparing their homes and business for the storm ahead. We pray for endurance and strength and help when needed.
We pray for those who are on the roads heading inland--some alone and some with a spouse or partner, with children, with beloved pets. We pray for calm and care on the highways.
We pray for those who are trying to make critical decisions to have wisdom.
We pray for police officers, firefighters, ambulance crews, medical personnel and others in positions of authority to be caring, cautious and wise as well.
We pray for those preparing shelter spaces, and we pray for those who may occupy those spaces.
We pray for pregnant women who are soon to deliver.
We pray for others who may fear an approaching need for help they may have trouble accessing
We pray for what is good in the human spirit to rise and for ignoble desires to shrink.
We pray, as always for your will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen
Thursday, August 25, 2011
A Gift of a Poem
A Gift
Just when you seem to yourself
nothing but a flimsy web
of questions, you are given
the questions of others to hold
in the emptiness of your hands,
songbird eggs that can still hatch
if you keep them warm,
butterflies opening and closing themselves
in your cupped palms, trusting you not to injure
their scintillant fur, their dust.
You are given the questions of others
as if they were answers
to all you ask. Yes, perhaps
this gift is your answer.
nothing but a flimsy web
of questions, you are given
the questions of others to hold
in the emptiness of your hands,
songbird eggs that can still hatch
if you keep them warm,
butterflies opening and closing themselves
in your cupped palms, trusting you not to injure
their scintillant fur, their dust.
You are given the questions of others
as if they were answers
to all you ask. Yes, perhaps
this gift is your answer.
~ Denise Levertov ~
(Sands of the Well)
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Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Tuesday Prayer....
As the summer winds slowly down...
As we retune our beings to gear up
for school, for fall, for new program years,
or for whatever this transition time is for any of us,
We pray,
for grace,
for gratitude,
for energy,
for vision.
As we reflect outside of our walls and hearts,
We pray,
For Libya, and for all places of unrest, of death, of destruction, of war.
We pray,
For the desperate one, who has no where to turn, no food to eat, no home to go to, no love showered upon her...or him.
There is so much out there--people we know in chemo, people who are suffering from cancer, people who are in surgery as we speak, people who worry about which bill to pay,
oh! The list is random and endless....
Give us the patience to pray randomly and endlessly,
Give us the centering breath to breath in and out...
and go therefore,
into our worlds,
and be Love and Light as best as we know how.
Amen.
As we retune our beings to gear up
for school, for fall, for new program years,
or for whatever this transition time is for any of us,
We pray,
for grace,
for gratitude,
for energy,
for vision.
As we reflect outside of our walls and hearts,
We pray,
For Libya, and for all places of unrest, of death, of destruction, of war.
We pray,
For the desperate one, who has no where to turn, no food to eat, no home to go to, no love showered upon her...or him.
There is so much out there--people we know in chemo, people who are suffering from cancer, people who are in surgery as we speak, people who worry about which bill to pay,
oh! The list is random and endless....
Give us the patience to pray randomly and endlessly,
Give us the centering breath to breath in and out...
and go therefore,
into our worlds,
and be Love and Light as best as we know how.
Amen.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Prayer for Sunday Proper 16A/Ordinary 21A/Pentecost +10
Lord God,
We come to you in humble awe of who you are.
We worship you this morning with songs and voice and now with prayers.
We adore you with our love, praises and thanksgiving.
We thank you for all you are doing in and through your church.
Churches that were once dying are now alive and growing.
Churches that had become unhealthy are now healthy again.
Churches that had become turned inward are now turned outward.
Churches that were inhospitable that have become inviting and hospitable.
Lord God,
We thank you for what you are doing in our own lives.
Growing us to be mature in our faith.
Growing us to be more like Jesus.
Growing us to be loving of others and especially the unloved.
And Lord we come bringing our petitions for those in need.
We now pray for those in our midst who need healing, in the hospital, home recovering, in rehabilitation, those waiting for results of tests.
We pray for those who are grieving today may they be comforted, re-find their way, be strengthened and encouraged.
We pray for those who are in financial distress, facing foreclosure, loss of job, long-term unemployment. May their prayers be heard, jobs found, ease of finances, and the ability to pay their bills.
And Lord we come brining our prayers for our communities, our countries and the nations,
It feels as if we live in tumultuous times everywhere.
Everywhere the economies are in dire straits, bringing other problems with it.
There is rioting, protests, fighting, in every country even our own.
There are famines, food scarcities, medical supplies shortages, high unemployment, the list could go on.
It appears that sometimes the nation’s leaders seem helpless or powerless.
Lord we need you to intervene in our world to put right the wrong, to guide our leaders, to relieve the suffering and pain and to offer real hope to the world.
Lord, we believe that if it had not been for you bringing the Israelites out of captivity from Egypt, they would have been destroyed.
We believe our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
We believe that we all are one body of Christ working in this world, in ministry to this world.
We believe that on the rock you are building your church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
You gave us the keys of the kingdom of heaven to have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven.
Let us then be your church in this world.
cross posted at revgalblogpals
We come to you in humble awe of who you are.
We worship you this morning with songs and voice and now with prayers.
We adore you with our love, praises and thanksgiving.
We thank you for all you are doing in and through your church.
Churches that were once dying are now alive and growing.
Churches that had become unhealthy are now healthy again.
Churches that had become turned inward are now turned outward.
Churches that were inhospitable that have become inviting and hospitable.
Lord God,
We thank you for what you are doing in our own lives.
Growing us to be mature in our faith.
Growing us to be more like Jesus.
Growing us to be loving of others and especially the unloved.
And Lord we come bringing our petitions for those in need.
We now pray for those in our midst who need healing, in the hospital, home recovering, in rehabilitation, those waiting for results of tests.
We pray for those who are grieving today may they be comforted, re-find their way, be strengthened and encouraged.
We pray for those who are in financial distress, facing foreclosure, loss of job, long-term unemployment. May their prayers be heard, jobs found, ease of finances, and the ability to pay their bills.
And Lord we come brining our prayers for our communities, our countries and the nations,
It feels as if we live in tumultuous times everywhere.
Everywhere the economies are in dire straits, bringing other problems with it.
There is rioting, protests, fighting, in every country even our own.
There are famines, food scarcities, medical supplies shortages, high unemployment, the list could go on.
It appears that sometimes the nation’s leaders seem helpless or powerless.
Lord we need you to intervene in our world to put right the wrong, to guide our leaders, to relieve the suffering and pain and to offer real hope to the world.
Lord, we believe that if it had not been for you bringing the Israelites out of captivity from Egypt, they would have been destroyed.
We believe our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
We believe that we all are one body of Christ working in this world, in ministry to this world.
We believe that on the rock you are building your church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
You gave us the keys of the kingdom of heaven to have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven.
Let us then be your church in this world.
cross posted at revgalblogpals
Saturday, August 20, 2011
not messiahs
I really needed this reminder today.
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 far beyond our capability.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the lord's grace to enter and 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.
part of a prayer by Oscar Romero
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 far beyond our capability.
We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for the lord's grace to enter and 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.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Thursday Prayer
O Risen Christ,
you breathe your Holy Spirit upon us
like a gentle breeze
and tell us: "Peace be yours."
Opening ourselves to your peace,
letting it penetrate the harsh and rocky ground
of our hearts,
means preparing ourselves to be bearers of
reconciliation wherever you may place us.
But you know that at times we are at a loss.
So come and lead us to wait in silence,
to let a ray of hope shine through in our world.
~~Brother Roger of Taize
Roger, Brother of Taize. The Book of a Thousand Prayers. Ed. Angela Ashwin. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. 264.
you breathe your Holy Spirit upon us
like a gentle breeze
and tell us: "Peace be yours."
Opening ourselves to your peace,
letting it penetrate the harsh and rocky ground
of our hearts,
means preparing ourselves to be bearers of
reconciliation wherever you may place us.
But you know that at times we are at a loss.
So come and lead us to wait in silence,
to let a ray of hope shine through in our world.
~~Brother Roger of Taize
Roger, Brother of Taize. The Book of a Thousand Prayers. Ed. Angela Ashwin. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. 264.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Wednesday Prayer
ah, Holy One...
I pray for your blessing today.
I pray that I would remember that you have blessed me,
And that I am a blessing to others.
I pray for an open heart,
to embrace with care,
whatever and whomever
I meet.
I pray for good humour,
That I might laugh,
that I might not take myself too seriously,
that joy would abide.
I pray for hope.
Infectious hope.
I pray for love.
Love that sees the big picture,
love that digs down deep,
love that reaches out.
For all this, I pray.
Amen.
I pray for your blessing today.
I pray that I would remember that you have blessed me,
And that I am a blessing to others.
I pray for an open heart,
to embrace with care,
whatever and whomever
I meet.
I pray for good humour,
That I might laugh,
that I might not take myself too seriously,
that joy would abide.
I pray for hope.
Infectious hope.
I pray for love.
Love that sees the big picture,
love that digs down deep,
love that reaches out.
For all this, I pray.
Amen.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Tuesday Prayer....
Sing Out My Soul
by Janet Morley in All Desires Known
Sing out my soul,
sing of the holiness of God:
who has delighted in a woman,
lifted up the poor,
satisfied the hungry,
given voice to the silent,
grounded the oppressor,
blessed the full-bellied with emptiness,
and with the gift of tears
those who have never wept;
who has desired the darkness of the womb,
and in habited our flesh.
Sing of the longing of God,
Sing out, my soul.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
prayer for Proper 15A/Ordinary 20A/Pentecost +9
God of our days and lives,
Teach us to live our lives to the fullest,
Teach us to take joy in the many blessings you have showered us with,
Teach us to love one another as those in the early church did,
Teach us to be the church to those who are in need around us.
God of our comings and goings,
Help us to order our work, our play, and our time around you.
Help us to find time to spend with our families, our loved ones and our friends.
Help us to rest and relax as needed.
Help us to spend time in prayer and meditation with you.
God of our world,
Remind us to not turn our backs on those dying from the famines.
Remind us to not turn our eyes away from the rioting that is occurring.
Remind us to not turn our hearts away from those sold into slavery and into the sex trade.
Remind us to not turn our minds away from those who are still recovering from earthquakes.
God of our churches,
Strengthen us to maintain justice.
Strengthen us to do what is right in your eyes.
Strengthen us to be the voice for those who are not able to speak for themselves.
Strengthen us to be your church in this world.
Amen.
Teach us to live our lives to the fullest,
Teach us to take joy in the many blessings you have showered us with,
Teach us to love one another as those in the early church did,
Teach us to be the church to those who are in need around us.
God of our comings and goings,
Help us to order our work, our play, and our time around you.
Help us to find time to spend with our families, our loved ones and our friends.
Help us to rest and relax as needed.
Help us to spend time in prayer and meditation with you.
God of our world,
Remind us to not turn our backs on those dying from the famines.
Remind us to not turn our eyes away from the rioting that is occurring.
Remind us to not turn our hearts away from those sold into slavery and into the sex trade.
Remind us to not turn our minds away from those who are still recovering from earthquakes.
God of our churches,
Strengthen us to maintain justice.
Strengthen us to do what is right in your eyes.
Strengthen us to be the voice for those who are not able to speak for themselves.
Strengthen us to be your church in this world.
Amen.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Thursday Prayer
O God, bring new life
where we are worn and tired;
new love
where we have turned hard-hearted;
forgiveness
where we have wounded;
and the joy and freedom of your Holy Spirit
where we are prisoners of our selves.
~~John L. Bell
Bell, John L. The Book of a Thousand Prayers. Ed. Angela Ashwin. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. 138.
where we are worn and tired;
new love
where we have turned hard-hearted;
forgiveness
where we have wounded;
and the joy and freedom of your Holy Spirit
where we are prisoners of our selves.
~~John L. Bell
Bell, John L. The Book of a Thousand Prayers. Ed. Angela Ashwin. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996. 138.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Wednesday Prayer
Limitless Depth,
I seek to free myself of everything that blocks me from you.
Empty of every want,
Empty of every need,
Empty of desire to be anything but what I am,
Here in this moment of the eternal Now,
Efficiency and purpose are set aside.
I do not possess.
I do not strive.
I rest in you.
Amen.
-John McQuiston II, "A Prayer Book for the 21st Century"
I seek to free myself of everything that blocks me from you.
Empty of every want,
Empty of every need,
Empty of desire to be anything but what I am,
Here in this moment of the eternal Now,
Efficiency and purpose are set aside.
I do not possess.
I do not strive.
I rest in you.
Amen.
-John McQuiston II, "A Prayer Book for the 21st Century"
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
August Tuesday...
Today,
Dear One,
Who knows my heart inside and out,
Who knows my troubles, my worries,
my fatigue, my sadness....
You,
Who knows my doubt, my fear...
You
Whom I know as Love and Understanding and Faith....
To you I pray.
I pray for mindfulness, for a big heart, for vision, for energy,
and for hope...
I pray this prayer not just myself, but for all those who need this kind of prayer today.
I know You know who they are.
Amen.
Dear One,
Who knows my heart inside and out,
Who knows my troubles, my worries,
my fatigue, my sadness....
You,
Who knows my doubt, my fear...
You
Whom I know as Love and Understanding and Faith....
To you I pray.
I pray for mindfulness, for a big heart, for vision, for energy,
and for hope...
I pray this prayer not just myself, but for all those who need this kind of prayer today.
I know You know who they are.
Amen.
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Prayer for Proper 14A/Ordinary 19A/Pentecost +8
Lord we come to you with our prayers
For friends, family, those in need near and far
We pray for those who are hurting,
that their pain may be relieved.
We pray for those whose relationships are broken,
That there may be forgiveness.
We pray for those who are sick,
That there may be healing.
We pray for those who are weak,
That they may be strengthened.
We pray for wisdom and guidance for the leaders of our country.
We pray for relief from debt, joblessness, and recession
We pray for our business leaders that are able to lead the
Way out of this recession and provide jobs.
We pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down,
With not only losing their jobs, but losing their homes,
their means of providing for their families, that they may find their way out of their pits.
We pray that their faith may be strengthened and that they find their hope in you.
We pray for the people of the world,
Who live in places where the economy is much worse,
may their lives be turned around for the better.
We pray for those who are experiencing famine like East Africa,
May their hunger and physical needs be resolved.
We pray for those who are living in conflict,
May peace be brought about.
We pray for Christians who are being persecuted
Around the world, that they may know your presence and strength of faith.
Lord we all have our spiritual struggles, our pits we have been in, and storms of life, and yet we recognize that you are evermore faithful to hear us and reach out to us to pull us up and out to higher ground. Lord, hear our cries for ourselves, for others near and far. Pour your courage into us, strengthen our faith, and be present to us.
Amen.
For friends, family, those in need near and far
We pray for those who are hurting,
that their pain may be relieved.
We pray for those whose relationships are broken,
That there may be forgiveness.
We pray for those who are sick,
That there may be healing.
We pray for those who are weak,
That they may be strengthened.
We pray for wisdom and guidance for the leaders of our country.
We pray for relief from debt, joblessness, and recession
We pray for our business leaders that are able to lead the
Way out of this recession and provide jobs.
We pray for those whose lives have been turned upside down,
With not only losing their jobs, but losing their homes,
their means of providing for their families, that they may find their way out of their pits.
We pray that their faith may be strengthened and that they find their hope in you.
We pray for the people of the world,
Who live in places where the economy is much worse,
may their lives be turned around for the better.
We pray for those who are experiencing famine like East Africa,
May their hunger and physical needs be resolved.
We pray for those who are living in conflict,
May peace be brought about.
We pray for Christians who are being persecuted
Around the world, that they may know your presence and strength of faith.
Lord we all have our spiritual struggles, our pits we have been in, and storms of life, and yet we recognize that you are evermore faithful to hear us and reach out to us to pull us up and out to higher ground. Lord, hear our cries for ourselves, for others near and far. Pour your courage into us, strengthen our faith, and be present to us.
Amen.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Friday Morning Prayer
May the right path be clear for you this day, and for those who. like me, see no way ahead, I pray for clarity, wisdom, and joy in the journey.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Thursday Prayer
Eternal wellspring of peace--
May we be drenched with the longing for peace
that we may give ourselves over to peace
until the earth overflows with peace
as living waters overflow the seas.
~~Marcia Falk
May we be drenched with the longing for peace
that we may give ourselves over to peace
until the earth overflows with peace
as living waters overflow the seas.
~~Marcia Falk
Peace Prayers: Meditations, Affirmations, Invocations, Poems, and Prayers for Peace. Ed. Carrie Leadingham, Joann E. Moschella, and Hilary M. Vartanian. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1992. 66.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Tuesday Prayer....
They Shall Teach Thee
But ask now the beasts,
and they shall teach thee;
and the fowls of the air,
and they shall tell thee:
Or speak to the earth,
and it shall teach thee:
and the fishes of the sea
shall declare unto thee.
-Job 12:7-8
But ask now the beasts,
and they shall teach thee;
and the fowls of the air,
and they shall tell thee:
Or speak to the earth,
and it shall teach thee:
and the fishes of the sea
shall declare unto thee.
-Job 12:7-8
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