Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
For Disabled People
Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress...his presence saved them; in his love and in his compassion he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
God, today we pray for those with mental and/or physical challenges. We pray for physical stamina and healing. We pray for resources and financial provision for therapy or special care. We pray that they will be treated with dignity and respect, and we pray that they will both know and display the love of God.
I am posting a prayer from a new friend, Sarah. Ethan is her son, but perhaps you might like to insert the name of someone you know.
Today I say a prayer... for the world that I live in. I pray that Ethan continues growing up surrounded by love. That the world grows more accepting and tolerant. That people see him for the wonderful boy that he is. I pray that people see a beautiful little boy with brilliant sparkling eyes. I pray that people see a smile that lights up a room. That his milestones are celebrated and that others have patience with his delays. I pray that people see a little boy, then a teenager, then an adult, NOT a diagnosis. That he will not be sold short before given a chance. That he will be able to share the gifts that God gave him and will be able to serve others and not just be served. I pray that he grows up to know that God loves him and that he realizes he is a work of divine art. I pray that when he acts up that people around him see a child acting like a six year old and not attribute everything negative to Down syndrome, it’s insulting. I pray that I am a good parent and give him what he needs; LOVE, Peace, joy, patience, as well as discipline and fairness. I pray that I listen to what God tells me and I do right by him. I pray that I will help Ethan use who he is for the glory of God. Lord watch over us all and keep our eyes on you. Amen
God, today we pray for those with mental and/or physical challenges. We pray for physical stamina and healing. We pray for resources and financial provision for therapy or special care. We pray that they will be treated with dignity and respect, and we pray that they will both know and display the love of God.
I am posting a prayer from a new friend, Sarah. Ethan is her son, but perhaps you might like to insert the name of someone you know.
Today I say a prayer... for the world that I live in. I pray that Ethan continues growing up surrounded by love. That the world grows more accepting and tolerant. That people see him for the wonderful boy that he is. I pray that people see a beautiful little boy with brilliant sparkling eyes. I pray that people see a smile that lights up a room. That his milestones are celebrated and that others have patience with his delays. I pray that people see a little boy, then a teenager, then an adult, NOT a diagnosis. That he will not be sold short before given a chance. That he will be able to share the gifts that God gave him and will be able to serve others and not just be served. I pray that he grows up to know that God loves him and that he realizes he is a work of divine art. I pray that when he acts up that people around him see a child acting like a six year old and not attribute everything negative to Down syndrome, it’s insulting. I pray that I am a good parent and give him what he needs; LOVE, Peace, joy, patience, as well as discipline and fairness. I pray that I listen to what God tells me and I do right by him. I pray that I will help Ethan use who he is for the glory of God. Lord watch over us all and keep our eyes on you. Amen
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Surrender in Christ
God said,
"Dear child, I have shown you that no guilt on earth can be atoned by experiencing suffering simply as pain to be endured. Only when suffering is accepted with longing, love, and heartfelt contrition does it have meaning. The value is not in the suffering, but in the soul's God-focused desire, while suffering. This desire and all other virtues possess value and life solely through my only begotten-Son--Christ crucified--because his surrender is the power of your love. Through virtue, the soul can follow his sacrificial footsteps. This surrendering in Christ is the only way suffering has value in reconciling the soul to me.
"This reconciliation is accomplished through a gentle, unifying love born from the sweet knowledge of my goodness and generated through the godly sorrow of the heart discovering its sinful nature. This self-awareness gives birth to a genuine contempt for one's sin and for the soul's selfish sensuality. It also creates a vibrant, sustaining humility. So you see, those who know genuine contrition and humility can suffer without growing impatient. In fact, that is how they repent."
~~Catherine of Siena: Dialogue
Butcher, Carmen Acevedo. Following Christ: A Lenten Reader to Stretch Your Soul. Brewster, Mass.: Paraclete Press, 2010. 99.
"Dear child, I have shown you that no guilt on earth can be atoned by experiencing suffering simply as pain to be endured. Only when suffering is accepted with longing, love, and heartfelt contrition does it have meaning. The value is not in the suffering, but in the soul's God-focused desire, while suffering. This desire and all other virtues possess value and life solely through my only begotten-Son--Christ crucified--because his surrender is the power of your love. Through virtue, the soul can follow his sacrificial footsteps. This surrendering in Christ is the only way suffering has value in reconciling the soul to me.
"This reconciliation is accomplished through a gentle, unifying love born from the sweet knowledge of my goodness and generated through the godly sorrow of the heart discovering its sinful nature. This self-awareness gives birth to a genuine contempt for one's sin and for the soul's selfish sensuality. It also creates a vibrant, sustaining humility. So you see, those who know genuine contrition and humility can suffer without growing impatient. In fact, that is how they repent."
~~Catherine of Siena: Dialogue
Butcher, Carmen Acevedo. Following Christ: A Lenten Reader to Stretch Your Soul. Brewster, Mass.: Paraclete Press, 2010. 99.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Praying toward Holy Week
I thank you, Lord Jesus, for becoming a human being
so I do not have to pretend or try to be God.
I thank you, Lord Jesus, for becoming finite and limited
so I do not have to pretend that I am infinite and limitless.
I thank you, crucified God, for becoming mortal
so I do not have to try to make myself immortal.
I thank you, Lord Jesus, for becoming inferior
so I do not have to pretend that I am superior to anyone.
I thank you for being crucified outside the walls,
for being expelled and excluded like the sinners and outcasts,
so you can meet me where I feel that I am,
always outside the walls of worthiness.
so I do not have to pretend or try to be God.
I thank you, Lord Jesus, for becoming finite and limited
so I do not have to pretend that I am infinite and limitless.
I thank you, crucified God, for becoming mortal
so I do not have to try to make myself immortal.
I thank you, Lord Jesus, for becoming inferior
so I do not have to pretend that I am superior to anyone.
I thank you for being crucified outside the walls,
for being expelled and excluded like the sinners and outcasts,
so you can meet me where I feel that I am,
always outside the walls of worthiness.
- Fr. Richard Rohr
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday Prayer
Come, my Light, and illumine my darkness.
Come, my Life, and revive me from death.
Come, my Physician, and heal my wounds.
Come, Flame of divine love,
and burn up the thorns of my sins,
kindling my heart with the flame of thy love.
-Dimitri of Rostov
17th Century
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday Prayer: Breathe on Me
Breathe on me, o Breath of Life
On your inhale, receive my fears.
On your exhale, I receive hope.
On your inhale, receive unrest;
On your exhale, I receive peace.
On your inhale, receive pain;
On your exhale, I receive joy.
May I slow my breathing to match yours,
parent and child rhythm,
Creator and created rhythm,
Beloved and belonging rhythm.
I exhale...
and release...
Anger... stress... attempts at control... perfectionism... procrastination... insecurity.
Away they go... through the power of the Spirit...
I inhale...
and receive...
Consolation... advocacy... openness... healing... blessing... courage... grace...
May Your goodness and mercy that follows me all the days of my life catch me today.
Amen.
On your inhale, receive my fears.
On your exhale, I receive hope.
On your inhale, receive unrest;
On your exhale, I receive peace.
On your inhale, receive pain;
On your exhale, I receive joy.
May I slow my breathing to match yours,
parent and child rhythm,
Creator and created rhythm,
Beloved and belonging rhythm.
I exhale...
and release...
Anger... stress... attempts at control... perfectionism... procrastination... insecurity.
Away they go... through the power of the Spirit...
I inhale...
and receive...
Consolation... advocacy... openness... healing... blessing... courage... grace...
May Your goodness and mercy that follows me all the days of my life catch me today.
Amen.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Sunday Prayer: Lent 5B
Gracious God
We come to you
broken – from
That which confine us
the prejudice buried,
weighted down with fear
distorted self protection
breaking me, breaking you.
And, so we come to you
to be made whole.
For you God,
put your love within us
you wrote it on our hearts;
that we may be your people.
On this night/day
we pray for those
who weep,
who are struggling
from lack of -
clean water
healthy food,
quality, affordable health care.
Women who want to make decisions
About their families, their lives
Our bodies, how and when,
And with whom.
to be made whole.
For you God,
put your love within us
you wrote it on our hearts;
that we may be your people.
Compassionate God
God of covenant,
God of love -
We come to you
tired
yearning
for peace and harmony,
seeking
to be made whole.
For you God,
put your love within us
you wrote it on our hearts;
that we may be your people.
Gentle God
God of covenant
Of Love,
Glorify us through
Your love.
Draw us to you,
Into you,
Anoint us
with your
peace.
that we may love
As you love.
We come to you
broken – from
That which confine us
the prejudice buried,
weighted down with fear
distorted self protection
breaking me, breaking you.
And, so we come to you
to be made whole.
For you God,
put your love within us
you wrote it on our hearts;
that we may be your people.
On this night/day
we pray for those
who weep,
who are struggling
from lack of -
clean water
healthy food,
quality, affordable health care.
Women who want to make decisions
About their families, their lives
Our bodies, how and when,
And with whom.
And, so we come to you
seeking to be made whole.
For you God,
put your love within us
you wrote it on our hearts;
that we may be your people.
Compassionate God
God of covenant,
God of love -
We come to you
tired
yearning
for peace and harmony,
.Loving God
We offer up our
suffering
And, come to youWe offer up our
suffering
seeking
to be made whole.
For you God,
put your love within us
you wrote it on our hearts;
that we may be your people.
Gentle God
God of covenant
Of Love,
Glorify us through
Your love.
Draw us to you,
Into you,
Anoint us
with your
peace.
Write your
Compassion in our hearts that we may love
As you love.
Amen.
You Are Life
Holy Spirit,
making life alive,
moving in all things,
You are the source of all creation and all beings.
Holy Spirit,
cleansing the world of every impurity,
forgiving guilt,
anointing wounds,
glistening,
You are commendable.
You are Life.
You awaken and reawaken everything that is.
Hildegard of Bingen, from the Book of Divine Works
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Prayer is a Blank Page
This Lent I am re-visiting a Lenten book by Emilie Griffin called Small Surrenders, which is currently marked 60% off its list price at Amazon. I am struck again by Griffin's metaphor of prayer as a "blank page."Griffin quotes Murray Bodo: "Sometimes there might be no words, but only a blank page created by silence and space. . . . But you are in the process of praying." (83)
(Finding that link for Murray Bodo excited me when I learned that he is a Franciscan priest.)
Now for Emilie Griffin's words:
"Possibly the blank page is a test, a trial, a kind of formation." (84)
"Even more, we must come to understand that this emptiness, this blank page, is prayer. It is more than an invitation to pray. It is actually prayer. We are making a small and needed surrender to the way things are: we are relenting, we are unwinding." (85)
Griffin, Emilie. Small Surrenders: A Lenten Journey. Brewster, Massachusetts: Paraclete Press, 2007.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Magnificat
Magnificat
John Shea
All that I am
sings of the God
who brings his life
to birth in me.
My spirit soars
on the wings of my Lord.
He has smiled on me
and the blaze of his smile
no woman or man
shall ever forget.
sings of the God
who brings his life
to birth in me.
My spirit soars
on the wings of my Lord.
He has smiled on me
and the blaze of his smile
no woman or man
shall ever forget.
My God is a gentle strength
who has caught me up
and carried me to greatness.
His love
space cannot hold
nor time age
and all quicken to his touch.
who has caught me up
and carried me to greatness.
His love
space cannot hold
nor time age
and all quicken to his touch.
My God is a torrent of justice.
He takes the straight paths
in the minds of the proud
and twists them to labyrinth.
The boot of the oppressor
he pushes aside
and raises the lowly,
whom he loves,
from the ground.
With his own hands
he sets a table for the hungry
but the unfeeling rich
suffer the cold eye
of his judgment.
He takes the straight paths
in the minds of the proud
and twists them to labyrinth.
The boot of the oppressor
he pushes aside
and raises the lowly,
whom he loves,
from the ground.
With his own hands
he sets a table for the hungry
but the unfeeling rich
suffer the cold eye
of his judgment.
Our mothers and our fathers
he has held in his arms
and the future grows
like this child within me
for the God of whom I sing
bears us his son.
he has held in his arms
and the future grows
like this child within me
for the God of whom I sing
bears us his son.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
for the least of these...
for the least of these
we offer our hearts and compassion,
our worry and our fears...
for the man in the motorized wheelchair who cannot speak,
but often gets hung up in the middle of the street because it isn't
wheelchair accessible. sometimes, even, cars almost hit him, in spite
of the huge flag swinging on his chair.
may Mercy prevail.
for jeanette, in the nursing home.
suffering, and ministers to those around her.
the highlight of the week, is when the nursing home lets
her come to church.
may Mercy prevail.
for the momma dog with nine four week old puppies, and
the papa dog named Boo, with a hurt paw.
the owner, challenged in so many ways, sees no reason why not
to separate these babies from the worried mom. in fact, has given away three of her babies.
now there are six.
may Mercy prevail.
for the mothers of children killed in Afghanistan, and fathers, and grandparents...
oh, for the slaying of innocents in too many corners of this world,
may Mercy prevail.
for our compromised Earth home,
who offers so much beauty and warmth,
seasons and sounds and miracles...
may Mercy prevail.
may we be moved, continued to be moved,
to activate Mercy in the corners of our worlds.
give us courage to look upon, and not away...
to take action,
and be Mercy,
may Mercy prevail.
we offer our hearts and compassion,
our worry and our fears...
for the man in the motorized wheelchair who cannot speak,
but often gets hung up in the middle of the street because it isn't
wheelchair accessible. sometimes, even, cars almost hit him, in spite
of the huge flag swinging on his chair.
may Mercy prevail.
for jeanette, in the nursing home.
suffering, and ministers to those around her.
the highlight of the week, is when the nursing home lets
her come to church.
may Mercy prevail.
for the momma dog with nine four week old puppies, and
the papa dog named Boo, with a hurt paw.
the owner, challenged in so many ways, sees no reason why not
to separate these babies from the worried mom. in fact, has given away three of her babies.
now there are six.
may Mercy prevail.
for the mothers of children killed in Afghanistan, and fathers, and grandparents...
oh, for the slaying of innocents in too many corners of this world,
may Mercy prevail.
for our compromised Earth home,
who offers so much beauty and warmth,
seasons and sounds and miracles...
may Mercy prevail.
may we be moved, continued to be moved,
to activate Mercy in the corners of our worlds.
give us courage to look upon, and not away...
to take action,
and be Mercy,
may Mercy prevail.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday Prayer: The Mind of Christ
Today, God of Love, grant me the mind of Christ-
Let me feel at one with you and the Spirit.
Give me a sense of awe at the span of creation.
Provide me with eyes of love for all I encounter.
Put the word of forgiveness on the tip of my tongue.
Stir up my righteous anger, but preserve me from sin.
Deliver me from evil.
Bring resurrection to me.
Bring resurrection through me.
Bring resurrection in me.
Gift me with your peace.
Amen.
Let me feel at one with you and the Spirit.
Give me a sense of awe at the span of creation.
Provide me with eyes of love for all I encounter.
Put the word of forgiveness on the tip of my tongue.
Stir up my righteous anger, but preserve me from sin.
Deliver me from evil.
Bring resurrection to me.
Bring resurrection through me.
Bring resurrection in me.
Gift me with your peace.
Amen.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Sunday Prayer: Belove
Holy and Gracious God
We give you thanks for the gift of life
for the gift of your Son
for the gift of the Holy Spirit
That we may believe, belove, be
well.We give you thanks for the gift of life
for the gift of your Son
for the gift of the Holy Spirit
Lead us through the trials
the suffering and sorrow
the challenges and struggles
the tired times and places
When all we want to do is
Complain.
May we believe, belove, be well.
Be with those who weep
or cannot sleep
who have no peace
who seek release
May they find solace in You
In believing, in beloving, in being well.
Lead us
with grace
with love
with peace
Fill us
with hope
with patience
with stamina
Transform us
in your image
in your Son
in your Name
Transform us
to grow
to understand
to see
Transform us
that we
can be
made whole
And in wholeness
may we
be
believe, belove, and be well.
Amen.
(this prayer builds off the idea that the word "Believe" has its root in the word Beloef, or belove)
Friday, March 16, 2012
For Bonds of Injustice to be Broken
Isa. 58:6-8
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.
Matt. 9:13
Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’
We ask for transformation of economic structures that do not reflect justice. Reveal the ways that our own financial decisions may keep others trapped in cycles of injustice. Expose the bonds of wickedness that are within our reach to change, and give us ways to free people suffering under oppression. You gave us an assignment that we have yet to accomplish, that we will learn your fiery desire for mercy. Sometimes our lives may be so easy that we begin to think even minimal deeds are a "sacrifice." Ignight our hearts with your love for others. May we be ambitious to see your mercy and justice on a major scale. We pray for a new day, a day of blessing and abundance for all. Amen
Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of injustice,
to undo the thongs of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover them,
and not to hide yourself from your own kin?
Then your light shall break forth like the dawn,
and your healing shall spring up quickly;
your vindicator shall go before you,
the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard.
Matt. 9:13
Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’
We ask for transformation of economic structures that do not reflect justice. Reveal the ways that our own financial decisions may keep others trapped in cycles of injustice. Expose the bonds of wickedness that are within our reach to change, and give us ways to free people suffering under oppression. You gave us an assignment that we have yet to accomplish, that we will learn your fiery desire for mercy. Sometimes our lives may be so easy that we begin to think even minimal deeds are a "sacrifice." Ignight our hearts with your love for others. May we be ambitious to see your mercy and justice on a major scale. We pray for a new day, a day of blessing and abundance for all. Amen
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Thursday Prayer
Give me a pure heart--that I may see Thee,
A humble heart--that I may hear Thee,
A heart of love--that I may serve Thee,
A heart of faith--that I may abide in Thee.
~~Dag Hammarskjold
A humble heart--that I may hear Thee,
A heart of love--that I may serve Thee,
A heart of faith--that I may abide in Thee.
~~Dag Hammarskjold
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
A Prayer for World Peace by Jane Goodall
We pray to the great Spiritual Power in which
we live and move and have our being.
We pray that we may at all times
keep our minds open to new ideas and shun dogma;
that we may grow in our understanding of the nature of all living beings
and our connectedness with the natural world;
that we may become ever more filled with
generosity of spirit and true compassion and love for all life;
that we may strive to heal the hurts that we have inflicted on nature
and control our greed for material things, knowing that
our actions are harming our natural world and the future of our children;
that we may value each and every human being
for who he is, for who she is,
reaching to the spirit that is within,
knowing the power of each individual to change the world.
We pray for social justice,
for the alleviation of the crippling poverty
that condemns millions of people around the world
to lives of misery - hungry, sick, and utterly without hope.
We pray for the children who are starving,
who are condemned to homelessness, slave labor, and prostitution,
and especially for those forced to fight, to kill and torture
even members of their own family.
We pray for the victims of violence and war,
for those wounded in body and for those wounded in mind.
We pray for the multitudes of refugees, forced from their homes to alien places
through war or through the utter destruction of their environment.
We pray for suffering animals everywhere,
for an end to the pain caused by scientific experimentation,
intensive farming, fur farming, shooting, trapping,
training for entertainment, abusive pet owners,
and all other forms of exploitation
such as overloading and overworking pack animals,
bull fighting, badger baiting, dog and cock fighting and so many more.
We pray for an end to cruelty,
whether to humans or other animals,
for an end to bullying, and torture in all its forms.
We pray that we may learn the peace that comes with forgiving
and the strength we gain in loving;
that we may learn to take nothing for granted in this life;
that we may learn to see and understand with our hearts;
that we may learn to rejoice in our being.
We pray for these things with humility;
We pray because of the hope that is within us,
and because of a faith in the ultimate triumph of the human spirit;
We pray because of our love for Creation, and because of our trust in God.
We pray, above all, for peace throughout the world.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Tuesday prayer...
Today...
Take pause...
Pray for places in war and terror..
Pray for a colleague...
Pray for a friend...
Pray for yourself...
Allow divine love surround your prayers,
and may the light of the sacred illumine your day.
Amen.
Take pause...
Pray for places in war and terror..
Pray for a colleague...
Pray for a friend...
Pray for yourself...
Allow divine love surround your prayers,
and may the light of the sacred illumine your day.
Amen.
Monday, March 12, 2012
Monday Prayer: Psalm 23 in Haiku (Adapted)
The Lord my Shepherd,
there is nothing I shall
want,
grazing in God's fields.
To quiet waters
God leads me; and as I rest
She revives my soul.
By paths of virtue
God, for the sake of Her name,
lovingly leads me.
Even in darkness
no evil will befall me,
no harm do I fear.
Your rod and Your staff
Will be of comfort to me,
signs of your nearness.
In sight of my foes
You set me at Your table,
offer me choice foods.
You anoint my head
with the richness of Your
oils.
My cup brims over.
Oh, how much goodness!
You pursue me with
kindness
each day of my life.
Thus shall it be, Lord:
my home, the house of
Yahweh
as long as I live!
Gendered language altered by poster for prayerful consideration.
Gwyn, Richard. The Psalms in Haiku Form. Gracewing:
Herefordshire, UK. 1997. p. 21
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Sunday Prayer
Creator God, we come before you-
Asking prayers for those who
Lead
Nations
Cities
Churches
Homes
As you poured out your love in the Word
May we hear your word and follow
May the words of our mouths and
The meditations of our hearts lead us
To you.
Holy One, we come before you -
a people broken into
shards of lives
sick,
poor,
hungry
hidden by the limitations of our eyes.
Help us to see as You see
As you poured out your love in the Word
May we hear your word and follow
May the words of our mouths and
The meditations of our hearts lead us
To you.
God of Mercy, we come before you –
Seeking to live as you command, but often
Failing, and thus we are torn by
Cries of despair
Anger
Power
Control
lost to foolishness and
Stumbling blocks
despite your love in the Word
Help us to hear your word and follow
May the words of our mouths and
The meditations of our hearts lead us
To you.
Gentle God, we come before you-
Giving thanks for all our blessings
the gift of life
hope
faith
love
family
friends
all we care for this day
Help us to be Your Hands
Incline Your heart, O gracious God, and teach us to love
O Christ, our rock and our Redeemer.
Asking prayers for those who
Lead
Nations
Cities
Churches
Homes
As you poured out your love in the Word
May we hear your word and follow
May the words of our mouths and
The meditations of our hearts lead us
To you.
Holy One, we come before you -
a people broken into
shards of lives
sick,
poor,
hungry
hidden by the limitations of our eyes.
Help us to see as You see
As you poured out your love in the Word
May we hear your word and follow
May the words of our mouths and
The meditations of our hearts lead us
To you.
God of Mercy, we come before you –
Seeking to live as you command, but often
Failing, and thus we are torn by
Cries of despair
Anger
Power
Control
lost to foolishness and
Stumbling blocks
despite your love in the Word
Help us to hear your word and follow
May the words of our mouths and
The meditations of our hearts lead us
To you.
Gentle God, we come before you-
Giving thanks for all our blessings
the gift of life
hope
faith
love
family
friends
all we care for this day
Help us to be Your Hands
Incline Your heart, O gracious God, and teach us to love
O Christ, our rock and our Redeemer.
Amen.
may you see clearly...
trust me and listen to the whole song--there's more prayer and biblical imagery than you think!
may this be our prayer today--to see clearly.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Prayer for God's Mercy
Psalm 103:11-13
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
Luke 18:13-14
But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’
We are more than qualified to stand as fellow sinners with the people of our towns and cities, our nations and our world. And so we sincerely pray, "Have mercy on us, a sinful people." We already live in the consequences of the piled-up sins of many generations and we see no easy way out of our predicament. We are desperate for your mercy, but not despairing. Move, in great mercy, upon us O God! Send a message to men, women and children that you yearn to embrace them with a love as large as the sky. When you ask us to be the one who bears the message, may we be quick to respond. Amen
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love towards those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
Luke 18:13-14
But the tax-collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.’
We are more than qualified to stand as fellow sinners with the people of our towns and cities, our nations and our world. And so we sincerely pray, "Have mercy on us, a sinful people." We already live in the consequences of the piled-up sins of many generations and we see no easy way out of our predicament. We are desperate for your mercy, but not despairing. Move, in great mercy, upon us O God! Send a message to men, women and children that you yearn to embrace them with a love as large as the sky. When you ask us to be the one who bears the message, may we be quick to respond. Amen
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Lent: Fasting and Feasting
Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on divine order.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal Truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds.
- William Arthur Ward
(American author, teacher and pastor, 1921-1994.)Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from thoughts of illness; feast on the healing power of God.
Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on divine order.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on non-resistance.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal Truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.
Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.
Fast from shadows of sorrow; feast on the sunlight of serenity.
Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.
Fast from problems that overwhelm; feast on prayer that undergirds.
- William Arthur Ward
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Wednesday Prayer
I am the vessel.
The draught is God's.
And God is the thirsty one.
-Dag Hammarskjold.
The draught is God's.
And God is the thirsty one.
-Dag Hammarskjold.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Tuesday evening prayer....
Just take a moment,
right now...
and
offer thanks
for three things/people/places
that happened to you
today.
Thanks be to God,
for marvelous works.
Amen.
right now...
and
offer thanks
for three things/people/places
that happened to you
today.
Thanks be to God,
for marvelous works.
Amen.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Sunday Prayer: Lent 2
Loving God, we offer up our prayers
for the concern this day -
for those struggling to rebuild lives
from the aftermath of natural disasters
especially the rage of tornados - be with
those who lost home, or family, who lost
life, lost everything but life. Surround them
with your peace, your mercy, your grace.
Help us to know how to help, lead us, guide us
in the ways, down the road, to help.
But also, we pray for those suffering
from human disasters
from failed economies
from illness
from_______________
may the power of your Holy Spirit
bring new life, new hope.
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the blessings of this life -
for family, for friends, for the kindness of strangers,
for home and food, and work
for the coming Spring,
for warmer, longer days ahead
for the gift of the Christ,
your gift of love, who lovingly
leads us in this life.
Creator God, fill us with nourishment
the kind that only you can offer.
Fill us with hope
fill us with kindness
fill us with gentleness
fill us with your love.
May we be your living love.
Amen.
for the concern this day -
for those struggling to rebuild lives
from the aftermath of natural disasters
especially the rage of tornados - be with
those who lost home, or family, who lost
life, lost everything but life. Surround them
with your peace, your mercy, your grace.
Help us to know how to help, lead us, guide us
in the ways, down the road, to help.
But also, we pray for those suffering
from human disasters
from failed economies
from illness
from_______________
may the power of your Holy Spirit
bring new life, new hope.
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the blessings of this life -
for family, for friends, for the kindness of strangers,
for home and food, and work
for the coming Spring,
for warmer, longer days ahead
for the gift of the Christ,
your gift of love, who lovingly
leads us in this life.
Creator God, fill us with nourishment
the kind that only you can offer.
Fill us with hope
fill us with kindness
fill us with gentleness
fill us with your love.
May we be your living love.
Amen.
Friday, March 2, 2012
For Families
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers...Malachi 4:6
He said to her, "Go and call your husband and come here"...They went out of the city and were coming to him. John 4:16
And thinking of the Samaritan woman at the well reminds us there are many desolate women around us...women who are abandoned, divorced more than once, abused, seperated from loved ones...some are completely without hope.
Bring together the shattered peices of our families. Confront them with your healing grace, and may we now, as happened then, come to you for the "water of life."
He said to her, "Go and call your husband and come here"...They went out of the city and were coming to him. John 4:16God, we have often failed to heed the words and wisdoms of generations before us. Turn our hearts to elders and help us to honor them so that we may also honor our heritage and the life lessons they have given us. At the same time, we acknowledge that many children have been left alone to make their own way. Strengthen our hearts to believe for great things for the coming generations and help us to do all we can to care for those who will follow after.
And thinking of the Samaritan woman at the well reminds us there are many desolate women around us...women who are abandoned, divorced more than once, abused, seperated from loved ones...some are completely without hope.
Bring together the shattered peices of our families. Confront them with your healing grace, and may we now, as happened then, come to you for the "water of life."
Thursday, March 1, 2012
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