Surrendor to Beauty

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Janet Salbert

Sustainer of Grace, whose wisdom is found in the rhythms of the earth,
Draw us toward your active Presence as we set our intent for this day. No matter what is needed, move us away from self sufficiency to surrender. In each encounter and circumstance, open us to notice your beauty and truth. Use the interruptions to simplify our efforts to only that which is essential. Fill us with the kind of gratitude that reaches out to support those around us. When the day is over, help us to rest satisfied in all that You accomplished to bring your creation to new wholeness. Amen.

Radical Kindness

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Janet Salbert

Giver of Mercy, who releases us to live anew,
Use our resistance to Silence to bring us to acknowledge how often we try to avoid your grace, how often we close ourselves from your love. Gently open us this day, to you and those who dwell in our midst. Bring us to new places of acceptance, letting go of all that is unnecessary. Strengthen us to new flexibility especially as we deal with conflict. Magnify the radical way that kindness works toward peace in places of opposition. Amen.

Increase our Humility

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Janet Salbert

Persistent One, who acts daily to provide for our deepest needs,
Capture our attention in this silence. Use each breath to reconnect our bodies and souls. Bring our intent for this day into focus, Help us to notice what we too often overlook, increasing our humility before your grace. Rather than respond impatiently to what seem to be interruptions, remind us that your Presence might be found in the mundane. Make it so that our best work today is that which goes unnoticed. Amen.

Photo-Incheon, Korea, October 2014 JPS

Quiet Community

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Janet Salbert

Creator of Life, who is active in the deep, darkness of the winter earth,
Encircle us with your peace in this silence. Use this frozen season to help us learn to rest in all that is. Bring us to accept and acknowledge the unknown as we begin this New Year. Guide us in full trust toward what cannot yet be seen. Gently break us open to growing in ways we resist, then, use our practice as seeds to engage others so that your Presence is fully realized in quiet spaces of community. Amen.

Lengthening Shadows Ending this Year

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Janet Salbert

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.

Widen our Advent Waiting With Silence

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Janet Salbert

Gentle One, who is born in the uncluttered places of our lives,
Widen our Advent waiting with silence. Broaden our hearts with peace and patience. Bless those who lead us to your stable. Give us courage to receive the unexpected and foreign gift of your Presence this day and always. Amen.

Divine Messenger

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Janet Salbert

Messenger of Love, whose whispers often go unnoticed,
Help us to stop and listen for you. Remind us that this gift, of attending to your Presence, allows ourselves to become lighter and more joy-filled. Don’t let busy-ness prevent us from the reality that we truly have all the time we need to be aware what is going on around us, and so recognize the real Presence of your Love. And each time we encounter the fullness of your Love, our voices are transformed to be messengers for your world, to whisper your love to others with simple acts of kindness. Amen.

Focus Beyond

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Janet Salbert

Mysterious One, who captures each moment for eternity,
Let the silence deepen revealing your creative love. Help us to focus on what appears beyond ourselves. Cast aside any fear to make space for trust. Loosen our grip especially in the darkness. Fill us with forgiveness toward all that rejects You, especially when that happens to be our own heart. Lead us with the peace of your Presence so that we find you in the glorious landscape of our lives. Amen.

Giving Thanks

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Janet Salbert

Giver of Abundance, who blesses us all,
For the earth, her beauty and her bounty, thanks be. For time spent attending to your Presence, thanks be. We enter your life, Holy One, and find you deep within ours. With joy and thanksgiving, direct us this day toward every opportunity to love through our work and our play. May all that which we offer, be for the sake of another. Amen.

Relieved By Compassion

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Janet Salbert

Light of Dawn, who guides us through this day,
Slow down our pace, calm us with your silent Presence. Often, we travel over the ground too quickly. We forget to attend to the unfolding mystery around us. Remind us once again that renewal comes through forgiveness, discomfort is relieved by compassion, and that faith comes with increasing trust in all that lies beyond ourselves. Amen.