Emerging God, whose silence invites us to still our hearts,
Align our breath with yours this day, let this not simply be another Saturday of busyness. Help us to listen for your rhythm, expectant for the new life you are bringing. Create new patience in us, in the knowledge that your Loving Presence is bringing life to darkness. Quiet us to hear the one Word that sends clarity to every confusion. Come in the fullness of your gentle strength that we might decrease so you can increase. Amen.
Holy God, who holds us in arms of love,
We come to be purified in this full and holy season, to be quieted long enough to take in your goodness of all that has come and will be. We long for your plan to be revealed and yet, we refuse to wait, grasping instead at lesser things. We long to be chosen and favored, to be part of your family and yet, we reject our brothers and sisters. Help us to have courage when our souls are pierced and remind us in this new year that you will raise us after each fall. Move us by your Spirit to follow in the ways of Christ. Amen.
Creative Spirit, who purifies and refines our hearts,
Set aside our many distractions for lending attention to the fullness of your Presence. Help us breathe with those who struggle for air. As we admit the temporary nature of our existence, so also move us to act on the eternal quality of our love. Make everything we surrender this season an opportunity to welcome our neighbors into your communion. Amen.
Giver of Guidance, who watches our growth through every season,
In the middle of Lent, we tire of dealing with dark winter nights, the cold rain and snow. Spiritually we are fatigued as well, none of us have escaped the impact of a harsh word, the feel of a forceful arm, or fear in a tough crowd. It is not that we cannot see the light, perhaps we are too slow to admit our own darkness, for in the light of Divine Love, we all cast shadows. Help us to notice how often the most delicate things of creation come to life revealing their strength after a time of darkness. Let us move through the rest of this season, trusting in that. Amen.
Constant Companion, who walks down every path we take,
Slow our hurried steps and steady our anxious souls in these moments. We seek your guidance on our Lenten journey. Help us to let go and carry only what is needed. Turn us to face ourselves admitting our tendencies toward greed and pride. Relieve our condemnation of others transforming our hearts with understanding. Restore our common communion. Illuminate our paths with the life giving words of those who walk in the ways of the One who is above us, within us, beneath us, behind us and beside us. Amen.
Gentle Rhythm of Life, who brings creation forth through a pause,
We confess our pace is frantic in this season, we are all strangers looking for a place to rest in unfamiliar surroundings. We don’t quite know where our journey is taking us. Slow our breathing in this moment. Hold us until we become quiet and aware of your Presence. Rather than being lost in the world, help us lose ourselves in you that we might be recreated, as you bring to birth the Word made flesh. The peace on earth we long for will shine bright when it happens first in us. Amen.
Holy One, who fills both lightness and darkness with mystery,
As the shadows lengthen on this year, we attend to the fullness of your Presence. Your love comes at us so fully, and so often we either shy away, or are too distracted to notice. Right here, we have all that is needed; somehow we are enough, right now. We count on you to continue to make us tender with compassion and to further our trust in the ways of mercy and forgiveness. Our deepest desire is for peace with all people. With this last dusk of the year, propel us into the unknown future trusting that you are already there, preparing for our next moment. Open us to receive all that you provide with gladness. Amen.
Holy One, who encircles us with light,
Bring us to a simple awareness of your Presence in this silence. Awaken us to both the stirring landscape and the deep quiet within. Lead us to the center of your purpose. Move us through the holy experience of finding everything, where we thought there was nothing. Thank you for shining mercy upon us all. Amen.
Renewing Power, who brings all things into being,
Gather us toward you in this silent pause and ready our souls for this day. Cleanse us by your loving Presence. Strengthen us to enter into the unknown. Remind us that there is nothing in this world better than being claimed by Love. Use us in this growing season. Scatter our spoken words like seeds for generating compassion toward one another. Make us mindful that our deeds reveal our hope and commitment. Amen.
Light of Glory, who illuminates each dawn with fresh hope,
With this breath, purify us with the quiet calm of your Presence. Help us to accept whatever might be confining or limiting in our lives. Melt away anything that keeps us from remembering our true identity. Move us through the darkness of this season shining light on each blessing, especially in those places that seem cold and empty. Make Advent happen in us. Amen.
Janet Salbert 