In the not knowing, there is breathing room;
an invitation to trust Her slow moving rhythm.
Sit long and ask Her every single question
not to find an answer but
to sink even deeper into the not knowing.
Pay attention to the specks of light,
rising from the darkness;
Trust Her light will reach you.
Until then, sense the circles of love encompassing you.
May Her love hold you in every not knowing.
God of Glory, whose light shines upon all creation,
Lead each of us to notice what is shimmering with your Presence. Even amid the dying leaves, a season when animals and insects go deep underground, increase our trust in your plan. We add to this season our mourning cries for the devastating losses and conflicts in our world. Use this pit in our stomachs to confess, to move toward another, to stand together in ways that extend hope. Make us become a shimmering reflection of your loving Presence for another. Amen.
Guider of Souls, who seeks and finds the lost,
As we make efforts to walk toward you this day, may our hearts see the road from your perspective. Lead us by your rhythm and reveal the signposts that exist around us encircling us with the brightness of your loving Presence. Guide us also by that which lies deep within where extraordinary holy flecks send glimmers of hope. Amen.
Sustaining God, whose path reaches toward us again and again,
We pause in this moment to recognize the sureness of your breath in ours. Yet, You who are Love, lead us to places where we are unsure, places where we know nothing, and invite us to find you there. Help us to trust that Your love emerges without any effort on our part. Hold us gently in these places of unknowing so that we can hold others with the same kindness. Attune our steps toward the Love you offer that is far beyond what we know right now. Amen.
Living God, who raises all to new life,
Slow us in these moments, turn us around, for we don’t recognize you. You aren’t found where we expect you. You don’t appear as we desire. Clear away our expectations, open us to ways we don’t understand. Send torrents of living water through the desert valleys of today. Strengthen us to live amongst selfish and deadened politics. Bring us to meet new formed community in gardens of grace where resurrection prevails and death is no more. Thanks be to Christ.
Releaser of Captives, whose grace goes out ahead of us.
In stillness and silence, your powerful Presence reveals all that holds us from living fully. Open our hearts to your leading through this Holy Week ahead. Give us an honest clarity at our private rationalizations and our comfortable self-deception. Help us surrender ourselves with you so that we can be purified of our idols and addictions. As we break free, we trust that others gain their freedom also. May we go forth as monks in the world, gently and firmly, placing each step with mercy and peace. Amen.
Ancient of Days, who accompanies us on our inward journey,
We draw near to you in this silence, waiting for your love to carve away our excess, so that we may find what is truly valuable. Your relentless grace guides us into our interior shadows, softening away our hardness with your compassionate Presence. Make this Ash Wednesday be the doorway to a season in which our inconsistencies are revealed. Unbind us from any fear, envy, pride, sloth or perfectionism. Release us into your creative light so we can become more fully yours. Remind us that this path is not a solitary one but for the whole community. Amen.
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 Hope, who is found both beyond and within us,
As we begin this season of preparation, we admit how often we fear silence, fight stillness and resist the unknown. Move us beyond the exterior material in our lives toward the inner rooms of our hearts. As we explore in these depths, adjust our seeing toward each new reality that arises out of shadow and darkness. Through our sense of relief, stir us to passion for others, leading us beyond mere survival to fullness of joy. Amen.
Blessed Provider,
who picks up the pieces of our lives gathering an abundance where we saw not enough,
Soon we will be together at table; families, friends and foe. For some of us, the empty places at our tables reflect what has happened in our hearts. Change us to be those who trust rather than fear, turn our yearning into gratitude. Move us to respond to your grace by giving before we take. Fill us with your Loving Presence. And if ever any hostile encounter threatens to separate; extend our arms to reach out in love through your life-giving Word. Amen.
Janet Salbert 