King of Heaven and Earth, who waits and weathers out the storms with us,
Use our silence this morning preparing us to make space for relationship. Help us to see the many ways we try to escape rather than stay in the place that provides us a further encounter with you. Somewhere in the course of our day, guide us to encourage another to take respite in your Presence. Then, may we sit together at the throne of creation in wonder of that which makes us whole. Amen.
Wisdom of the Ages, whose desire is fullness of life,
Enlighten our hearts with your Presence. As we become aware of our breath and pulse, unify our bodies and souls. It is awesome to consider the vast expression of human vibration. It is beyond our comprehension how granite mountains can be so still and yet so alive. Even a single drop of water can carve a stone. And when we stand before the mystery of death, compassion overflows and somehow life arises from despair. You make all things possible through your transforming Love. Amen.
Weaver of Life, whose simple designs create spaces of wonder,
We return to our homes this evening grateful to have experienced the tension, the fragility and the brilliance of the threads that have made up this day. Even when we have wanted to go in one direction, you gently turned us toward another direction in life-giving ways. Remind us not to enclose ourselves too tightly and miss moving toward the edges that enable us to increase our trust in the wisdom of your plan. Grant us rest in the delicate strength of your loving Presence this night. Amen.
Nurturing Maker of Earth, whose creative work is revealed in each season,
Send us outdoors this day to be immersed by your loving Presence. Refill us with breaths of sunshine and color. Our hearts fling open to take in the beautify of your fields and sky. Our bodies are sustained by your summer fruit. Return our thoughts to your constancy and your bounty. Everywhere you recreate us with a goodness that is real right now, and forever. Amen.
Sculptor of Creation, whose hands shape our lives,
Touch us in this time of silence. Remind us before we sweep away the unwanted, shake away the useless, and throw away the filth that once you fashioned us by the dust of the earth. Maybe we too quickly discard the dirt that could heal us. Hold us until we give way to your creative power. Reshape us by your love. Help us to experience what we once thought was death, become new life. Amen.
Giver of Life, who is as close as our breath,
We begin this day in your Presence, slowly finding the true source of our energy. Help us to simply be still in these moments; renew our vitality through resting in your peace. Give us a glimpse of your deep riches found in unexpected times and places. Increase our trust in all that you provide. Fill our soul’s with compassion, like your overflowing rivers, reaching beyond ourselves to satisfy the world’s people who are desperate for recovery in their lives. Amen.
Hovering Spirit, who often touches our lives while we are unaware,
As we wake to activity, we pause to attend to your Presence, finding rich blessing in the depths of silence. Expand our ability to carry the peace of this moment wherever the day takes us. Rather than personal striving, guide us to new understandings of our connectedness. Remind us that gentleness is an expression of your power and strength. Make our every encounter, a gathering of love for the benefit of another.
Whispering Wind, whose language unifies us across boundaries and borders,
As this morning begins with the tending of kitchen fires, we pause to listen for the gift of softly cooing hens or the quiet rush or river water, any sound that creates a desire in our hearts to turn toward your Presence. Make it our intent to be open to new learning in our work and play. Use the voices of others to help us to see the poverty of our ways. Transform our experience to encounter your many riches in place we thought poor. Amen.
Gentle Restorer, who provides the rhythm for activity and for rest,
As darkness deepens, we pause to abide more fully in your Presence. Help us to become aware of how much is happening below the surface of our vision. Sometimes things are not as they appear at all. Sometimes the night is where our creativity emerges. Give us the sense to trust your wisdom even when our understanding is dim. Remind us of the promise of light that arrives when the new day dawns. Amen.
Lover of Life, who awakens us with the light of day,
Breathe into us anew as we attend to your holy Presence. Hold us in this moment, carrying us in the fullness of your love. Give to all who are in pain or grief, a sense of comfort through the monotony of hours. Remind us that even as Spring blooms fade into yesterday, you renew us with strength to persevere in difficult places. Provide all that is needed for your peace to shine in places of conflict. Most of all, give us clarity to know that sometimes even when we suffer, you use us to be part of your plan to relieve another’s burden. Amen.
Janet Salbert 