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.
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.
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.
Healing Presence, who delivers us out of the haze of our distractions,
Touch with tenderness any who are separated from you. Teach us to trust the silence which brings us to your accepting love. Brighten our lives through the kindness and beauty existing amongst us, moving us to participate in the recovery of another. Soften our tongues to be those who speak words of your mercy, justice and peace throughout this day. Amen.
Divine Wisdom, who readies us for transformation with waiting, Capture our attention in this silent moment. Refresh us with the peace of your Presence. Relieve us from deadening routines and over commitment. If we cannot answer, “why am I doing this?” then, help us to let it go. Instill in us a new sense of trust and patience for your unfolding plan. When the time is right, bind us with work that gives us freedom. Amen.
Sentinel of the Evening, who restores us through rest,
We are grateful to you carrying us through this day, and for holding us in this moment. As we reflect back on this day, we realize how many times you dropped us on the threshold of divine mystery. We remember the treasure found in each person we encountered. Your faithful Presence was revealed in every challenge and each blessing. Help us now to surrender to the darkness, trusting in your peace and soaking in new mercy. Amen.
Truth-telling Spirit, who has answers to all that we seek,
Immerse us in the peace of your Presence. Slow our pace to show us what is reality and what is illusion. Bring the truth in ourselves to the surface. Use this pause to remind us that façade and shadow might appear to look good for a time, but do not allow others to enter in. Confront us with the full acceptance your love and mercy offers, so that we might increase our gentleness and compassion toward others. Make our lives places of welcome. Amen.
Divine Stream, who daily ushers us into rivers with unfamiliar currents,
Use these moments, O God, to slow us down enough for attending to the fullness of your Presence. Interrupt the routine of our schedules to notice the overlooked blessings around us. Stir our depths until your love surfaces. Turn us toward the healing found through your wondrous creation. Whether we are employed or not, use the work of this day to bring those who are hurting toward quiet coves of peace. Amen.
Faithful Companion, who travels with us,
We begin on the path today, breathing in the air that gives life. Help us set aside our expectations for what is ahead and simply let things be. Gently guide us toward the movement of Spirit to enter into our work with you, finding the load lighter and the joy brighter. Open our hearts to know the fullness of your Presence in each moment after this one. Amen.
Community Builder, whose authority comes through love,
Use the silence of this morning to refresh our sense of your Presence. Our hearts are grateful every time we recognize your sustaining power is found both within and outside our lives. Restructure our sense of individualism into a willingness to lean upon one another. Remind us that the reinforcement that gives us strength is sometimes hidden from our sight. Inspire us to offer simple acts of kindness, today, encouraging the best in one another and turning us into a community of friends. Amen.
Janet Salbert 