Source of all Hope, available to us in every realm on earth and in heaven,
Your Presence makes real your encompassing love. Even when we are swept away into lives that are not of our own choosing, we do not despair. You give us clarity, comfort and conviction, placing a right spirit within us. Answer in us questions for others. Make our lives a portrait of your ways. Amen.
Divine Being, who waits alongside the waters,
We cannot be still. We cannot wait. Too many young people are dying, like the leaves that have fallen to the ground. Remind us to take in your breath, to notice something of your Presence; to acknowledge Love that arrives in flowers, candles and tears. We stand and watch at these altars of remembrance. Stir in us, move us to speak for those whose voices are no more. And give us hope for the mystery of your work so deep below the surface. In you mercy, so be it.
The prevalence of violence in our communities concerns me deeply. We respond with medical care, social services and legal advice. Perhaps we have missed the most important source of healing; caring for the spirit.
After losing my partner of 34 years in a traumatic event, these prayers emerged over the course of a year as I identified movements (in bold) in my own spirit.
Spiritual Care after Trauma
Healing One, who moves slowly in all that is eternal,It takes days for grief to unfold, and so often we try to escape it. Use these silent moments to let the light of God’s presence shine into our depths. Whether we find confusion or anger or perhaps a firm resolve for living, it is better for these to come forth than to remain hidden. Make each slow breath an opening to remove our inner division and reunite our being. Grief is not taken away but is relieved when shared, and transformed through relationship in community. Help us to find one another in the sharing and unfolding. And, then, when we reach the heart of our experience, find there the power of Loving Presence that holds us all. Amen.
Staying Present to What Is
Unknown Being, who creates and gives life,How is it that the dawn’s last deep sigh opens this morning’s light? There is no pausing to take a breath, no learning to breathe, nor forgetting to breathe, only the constancy of the One giving and receiving breath. Just wait, just watch for it. When it seems there is no hope, there is in reality more Presence than we can take in. The shattering of our hearts is not to be feared. Those deep sighs coming from our depths, are already initiating the opening for the new day. Just wait, just watch for it. Amen.
Slowing Down in Grief
Creator of All, who gives us life beyond our knowing,
Open us to the steadiness of your Presence, breathe in us a sense of strength and peace, for we trust your ways are good and your love is unending. In all that is ahead, slow us down, slow us down, slow us down that we might notice you first and allow you to guide our hearts and minds. Grow your love in us anew. This is the day the Lord has made, let us wait in hope, have patience in trouble and pray at all times.[i]Amen.
[i]Romans 12:12, my husband, Paul’s life verse.
Loss of Confidence in God’s Love for Us
Oh God, Unknown One, whose creation desperately needs redemption
Nothing makes any sense. We are not taking a breath, every cell in our bodies anxious with furious vibration, broken bones and torn flesh, every thought numbed. Lead us through this arid wilderness. Can the lost be found? Can the afflicted be comforted or the proud be convicted? Can we be sustained by your promise?
Redeem the images seared in our memories. Create in us new space to be filled by your love alone. Embroider the names of victims on our hearts and in our minds until compassion brings us to new places of hope. Amen.
Loss of Confidence in Our Love for God
Eternal Companion, who is somehow amongst and within me,
I wake with a sense of dread, and walk through the day with the sense of being devoured by cruel currents. I admit that I am unsure if I can love you. Guide me in this struggle. Help me admit that I am empty and unfinished. Rather than allowing my circumstances to build walls, break down my resistance until understanding widens into ways of deliverance and peace. Remind me to persevere in the one relationship that helps me to navigate all the rest. Amen.
Willingness to Accept the Unknown
Isaiah 42:16
I will lead the blind
by a road they do not know,
by paths they have not known
I will guide them.
I will turn the darkness before them into light,
the rough places into level ground.
These are the things I will do,
and I will not forsake them.
Emerging Compassion
Loving God, who calls us to follow in faith,
We pause to breathe in your limitless beauty offered in this day, and are reminded of the ways you provide for our comfort and peace. Keep us from complacency and give us courage to follow you, in all times and places, places of joy and light as well as places of darkness and challenge. Knowing that we don’t travel alone, help us realize that each faithful step takes us to our true home, where our meaning and purpose for living is revealed. Amen.
Holy God, who enlivens each new beginning,
Soak in the stillness of this summer morning. Listen and learn from the choir of crickets, or one gentle birdsong or the growing hum of vehicles. As your gaze swallows in the loveliness around you, remember that the unseen stars still exist. Simply wait for Oneness, then fully entrained with all that is, go out and saturate our world with your creative ways of peace. Amen.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone. Hebrews 12:14
Gardener of Glory, who allows the weeds to grow alongside the fruit,
Return us to the earth. Remind us through your silent Presence that we work alongside you. Use our bare hands to till the soil of our hearts. Give us courage and strength to remove the weeds that keep us from maturity. Help us to cultivate what you are growing anew in us. Take us to the deep, dark, rich places where we find our fears transformed into branches for our future. As we labor together, bring into focus the beauty of all that you are creating. Amen.
Matthew 13:24-30
Stream of Light, who pierces the dark to awaken us,
No matter what lays heavy on this day, show us the new possibilities in it. Breathe your peace into our struggle. Broaden our perspective not to exclude our anxieties but to see their gifts in our depths. Release the hushed sorrow within for our inadequacies, our doubts, and vacillating tendencies. Remind us that you bring new life out of nothingness; that your Presence and power transform our sadness to joy. Amen.
You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy… Psalm 30:11
Love Whisperer, who inclines human hearts toward a mystery,
Speak soft words to melt our hearts this day. Gently invite us to further trust. Suspend our judgment. Unlock our hidden truths so that we open ourselves to the depths of your grace. Transform our shame into freedom. Deepen our intent to listen for you and move us to act on Love alone. Amen.
And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
Divine Promise,
who generates strength within and amongst us,
Your Presence permeates the air we breathe, effortless on our part. You deliver us through a myriad of daily choices, some of which are less than faithful and still you bring forth beauty from our flaws. May our focus be on Love this day, assured only with your capacity to heal and restore every life in yours. Amen.
Oh God, Unknown One, whose creation desperately needs redemption
Nothing makes any sense. We are not taking a breath, every cell in our bodies anxious with furious vibration, broken bones and torn flesh, every thought numbed. Lead us through this arid wilderness. Can the lost be found? Can the afflicted be comforted or the proud be convicted? Can we be sustained by your promise? Redeem the images seared in our memories. Embroider the names of victims on our hearts and in our minds until compassion brings us to new places of hope. Amen.
Unknown Being, who creates and gives life,
How is it that the dawn’s last deep sigh opens this morning’s light? There is no pausing to take a breath, no learning to breathe, nor forgetting to breathe, only the constancy of the One giving and receiving. Just wait, just watch for it. When it seems there is no hope, there is in reality more Presence than we can take in. The shattering of our hearts is not to be feared. Those deep sighs coming from our depths, are already initiating the opening for the new day. Just wait, just watch for it. Amen.
Janet Salbert 