Eternal Gifts

Posted on November 16, 2016 by Janet Salbert

goretex

Gracious Presence, who is with us in our comings and goings,
We pause to allow quiet to enter into our harried minds. Make this day a pilgrimage toward a closer encounter with You. Some of our steps are clear, guided by your love. And some of our steps require faith through the power of your Spirit. Thank you for the privilege of established relationships with loved ones who now tie our lives to the life that is to come. Center us to carry gifts of healing mercies and love that have been given to us making each step count for the sake of offering these eternal gifts to others. Amen.

Voice of Love

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Janet Salbert

trinitytree

Eternal Voice, whose love we long to hear again and again,
In the chatter of office workers, the hum of motors, even the lonesome sound of a falling leaf, we hear you amongst us. Clear away the brambles, the unnecessaries that choke out what is essential. Help us accept whatever has fallen away. Remind us the energy of divine love is not far from us, it emerges from the depths beyond our knowing. Amen.

Life Beyond our Knowing

Posted on October 13, 2016 by Janet Salbert

Life beyond our knowing.jpg

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 know 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 rejoice in hope, have patience in trouble and pray at all times. Amen.
The kindness of all the St Lucian people, especially our host Jonathan, provided two cocoa trees on the sustainable farm (that provides local employment and all the fresh food for the chef at Anse Chastenet) that we were able to plant in honor and memory of Paul. These trees will produce cocoa in 21/2 years and live for 200. Paul loved trimming, planting and cutting down trees, which I know for those of you who knew him, makes you smile. He was very familiar with a chainsaw…

Creation’s Stage

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Janet Salbert

creations-stage

Life-giving Presence, whose creation has redeeming power,
Awaken us to the wonder of this day, open to the beauty contained in it. Enliven us by the breath of your Spirit hovering overhead, steady us with the earth beneath our feet. Transform us into cheering and adoring crowds who want to get a little closer, to see more of your celebrity. Our one desire is to enter into your inner circle, perhaps even finding a place at your feet. Then, after having audience with our Creator, make us enthusiastic participants for the restoration of the world. Amen.

Fleeting Moments

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Janet Salbert

Fleeting moments

Gentle Healer , who brings us to places of nurture and comfort,
This morning begins again with grief, when tears come before the breath. We hear your Presence in ordinary sounds of life. The water running, a door opening,, even the slow chirp of September’s crickets remind us of our fleeting existence. Keep teaching us that rather than grasping too tightly, we really need to allow you to hold onto us. Sometimes all we can do is rest and let your Presence restore our joy. Amen.

Light of Love

Posted on August 12, 2016 by Janet Salbert

wheel of light

Light of Love who shines upon the earth and enters every hopeful thought,
A new day dawns, and we pause to take in her lovely fresh scent, to breathe in the mystery of all that greets us. Remind us that even in our challenges, there are no shadows without light. Create in us an inner stillness to bring into this days activity. Increase our confidence that the loving Light holding us, radiates beyond to hold and carry others. Let the shadows we cast, be shadows filled with your Love. Amen.

Crown of Creation

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Janet Salbert

Compassionate One, whose Sabbath is the crown of creation,
Make our breath today, a giving and receiving of love. Make each step today, an opportunity to experience your peace. Use our insignificance to further your glory. Empty us this Sabbath day as we wait, like a field lying fallow, for you to produce in us and expression of carefree, overflowing communion. Amen.

Sabbath as the crown of creation was first explored by German theolgian, Jurgen Moltmann.

Unfolding Grief

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Janet Salbert

Layers of grief

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 when we reach the heart of our experience, find there the power of Loving Presence that holds us all. Amen.

Gate of Silence

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Janet Salbert

Creative Beauty, who invites us daily toward the Holy,

Our eyes take in your glory, our ears hear living rhythms and our bodies refresh with each breath. Help us open wide the gate of silence moving us inward to dwell in the fullness of abiding Presence. Let these moments strengthen us for the work of love needed beyond us spreading peace amongst all. Make this moment be the seed for revealing Creative Beauty again and again. Amen. Ephesians 3:16

Traveler’s Prayer

Posted on July 2, 2016 by Janet Salbert

Pathmaker of Peace, who longs to travel with us. We pause in the midst of activity to consider your yearning for us. Even when the roads are difficult, we are filled with gratitude for the blessing of hope in chance encounters. Along hurried paths, there are holy hearts that guide, encourage and heal contributing to all that makes us whole. So, let us not travel too fast rather let the expectant heart of the pilgrim arise within ready to receive you with wonder. Amen.