Faithful Companion, who travels with us,
We begin on the path today, breathing in the air that gives life. Help us set aside our expectations for what is ahead and simply let things be. Gently guide us toward the movement of Spirit to enter into our work with you, finding the load lighter and the joy brighter. Open our hearts to know the fullness of your Presence in each moment after this one. Amen.
Guardian of Hope, who lifts us to life,
At the dawn of this day, we begin with you in Silence, opening space in our lives for patient waiting. Empty us even of our emptiness. Let gratitude rise in our hearts for places of pasture. Saturate us with your Presence to become truly ourselves creating a flow in our community where love and mercy prevail. Send us out into this day carrying compassion that helps others be true and whole. Amen.
Life-giving Breath, whose delicate strength upholds our lives,
Use this morning silence to deepen our awareness of your Presence. Make each breath an opportunity to awaken our intent for this day. Bring us to understand that life comes through inhaling and exhaling, an eternal pattern of receiving and releasing. Rather than hold on too tightly to that which we receive, give us the grace to release it for others. Mercy, love, and forgiveness multiply this way. Increase our trust as you lead us to places where nothing unfolds into everything. Amen.
Community Builder, whose authority comes through love,
Use the silence of this morning to refresh our sense of your Presence. Our hearts are grateful every time we recognize your sustaining power is found both within and outside our lives. Restructure our sense of individualism into a willingness to lean upon one another. Remind us that the reinforcement that gives us strength is sometimes hidden from our sight. Inspire us to offer simple acts of kindness, today, encouraging the best in one another and turning us into a community of friends. Amen.
God of Re-Creativity, whose constancy is an open invitation,
Bring us toward Your attentive Presence in these silent moments. Use each breath to saturate us with peace. As we take on the challenges of this day, increase our humility for the sake of right relationship. Guide us with an openness to see things from another’s perspective. Sustain us with gratitude for your blessed creatures reminding us to take time to rest in the pleasures of the earth. Deliver us to new places of well-being and hope. Amen.
Sampson of Wentworth Cove
Guardian of Souls, whose creation is the place of our sanctuary,
As daylight slides over the horizon, we turn homeward from the exploration of this day. Your Presence is the open door through which we enter and are welcomed. Refresh us with each breath, gently slipping your blanket of peace around our shoulders. Satisfy us with the slow cadence of night noises coming from the creatures around us. Use your mercy to transform our weariness into cushions where others can come to rest. Amen.
Innkeeper of Grace, whose love abides within and around us,
Before we begin our searching this day, use this silence to open us to the stillness of your Presence. Unify our bodies and souls with each breath. Increase our trust in responding to the guidance of your Spirit. Bring us to live between places of rootedness and places of mystery. Guide us to open spaces where previously we have found only walls. Strengthen our charity and understanding through this window of prayer. Amen.
Cultivator of Color, whose delicate blooms capture our attention,
Empty us in this silence so your fullness may enter. Enliven us with your Presence as we breathe in the lovely, fresh scent of morning air. Slow our pace to dwell amongst summer gardens, taking in the rich variety and textures that bring such pleasure. Refresh our own sense of uniqueness. Perhaps all we need to do this day is stand where we are and grow, enjoying the mingling of fragrance created by those planted nearby. Then, let our community satisfy all those who enter. Amen.
Creator of Nations, who lives and dwells amongst us all,
Open our hearts in this time of silence that we might hear the judgments we make against others. Bring us to understand those same judgments are how we condemn ourselves. Remind us that your kin-dom is built on compassion, one person to another. Deliver us into this day aware of the many nations represented wherever we may be; each nation living through different realities and yet, all the same humanity. Inspire in us a tireless prayer for peace until we become peace. Amen.
Companion of Travelers, who is with us in our comings and goings,
Awaken us to the gift that is within. Breathe life into our souls and strengthen us for the physical work of this day. Kindle in our hearts new willingness to journey beyond the past. Help us to focus on the faces of the pilgrims we meet on the path looking into their lives with deeper compassion. When fatigue sets in, refresh us with the light and beauty that emerges when we simply look up from our work. Amen.
Janet Salbert 