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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Merciful One, who hears the cries of our suffering creation,
There are no words, only deep sighs. (deep sigh) We breathe in your loving power that overcomes all fear. (deep sigh) We breathe in your Self-giving nature that transforms all disorder. (deep sigh) We breathe in your redeeming Presence now. Soak our hearts and minds with all that establishes sincere communities ready to seriously look to the needs of others rather than striving after our own security and desire. Remind us once again that we live under your cross, not above it. Amen.
Living Word, who speaks creation into existence
We are tired of hearing condemnation from every angle. Gently awaken us to listen for the one Voice that gives life. Fill us with what we need to carry into the course of this day. Help us to listen to one another more than we speak. Rather than increasing any conflict, make the words you give us to speak create understanding. Multiply the opportunities we have to share that the power of your mercy brings justice. Amen.
Merciful Goodness,
who vibrancy and healing beauty comes out of the dark earth,
Exhausted, we come, entering into your Presence after wandering in the wilderness. When our failures and limitations are exposed, help rid them of any power to hold us back from you. Feed us once again with “what’s this?“ manna, your precious bread from heaven. Shape us into a trusting community. As we center our whole lives on your Presence, make us able to hear our neighbor’s breath and feel the pulse of life in our sisters and brothers beside us. You are the Other upon whom all relationships build. Amen.
Tree of Life, who draws us to gather in all kinds of sanctuaries,
Guide us toward you in this silence. Encompass us with your gracious Love and unending mercy. Lessen our resistence to the unknown and loosen our tight grip on certainty. Help us to see the reality of our humanity and open us to the possibilities that exist in your Presence. Make the evidence of our prayer be realized as we come closer to you, finding ourselves closer to one another. Amen.
Janet Salbert 