Creative One, who is the maker of our wildest dreams,
You lead us through unknown territory and after placing the precious gift of life in our arms, you send us into new worlds. You repeatedly bring us into the fullness of human experience through love alone. Silently, we pause during this day, in hope, like a roomful of hushed midwives, ready for new life to be delivered sending us out once again. Amen.
It also happens to be his. eldest son’s birthday, too!
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.
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.
Creator of Life, who calls us all toward a relationship of grace,
A new day yawns, opening its emptiness before us. Before our steps take us to people and places, we turn to the Holy One, to gaze upon wonder and mystery finding fullness of Presence in silence. When we hear our hearts catch, perhaps that is where we are supposed to go next. When our memories capture our attention, perhaps we find what we thought was lost. And when our mindful, chatter clears, perhaps we notice the Other in whose life and death we are inextricably joined. Take into our day, these glimpses of grace that move our lives with gentle strength and joy filled love. Remind us to take into our world, only ourselves.
Holy God, who enlivens each new beginning,
Soak in the stillness of this summer morning. Listen and learn from the choir of crickets, or one gentle birdsong or the growing hum of vehicles. As your gaze swallows in the loveliness around you, remember that the unseen stars still exist. Simply wait for Oneness, then fully entrained with all that is, go out and saturate our world with your creative ways of peace. Amen.
Make every effort to live in peace with everyone. Hebrews 12:14
Gardener of Glory, who allows the weeds to grow alongside the fruit,
Return us to the earth. Remind us through your silent Presence that we work alongside you. Use our bare hands to till the soil of our hearts. Give us courage and strength to remove the weeds that keep us from maturity. Help us to cultivate what you are growing anew in us. Take us to the deep, dark, rich places where we find our fears transformed into branches for our future. As we labor together, bring into focus the beauty of all that you are creating. Amen.
Matthew 13:24-30
Emerging God, whose silence invites us to still our hearts,
Align our breath with yours this day, let this not simply be another Saturday of busyness. Help us to listen for your rhythm, expectant for the new life you are bringing. Create new patience in us, in the knowledge that your Loving Presence is bringing life to darkness. Quiet us to hear the one Word that sends clarity to every confusion. Come in the fullness of your gentle strength that we might decrease so you can increase. Amen.
Creator of Light, whose light shines in ordinary places,
We enter this day with silent snow, reminded to take a breath. Some of us are missing important events, and some of us are planning for future events. Help us all to stay present to you in this day. Expand the capacity of our hearts to receive your beams of love. Keep our feet on the path of this Lenten wilderness. Make any confusion or turmoil cease with one Word. Cast your light into our shadows and shine upon us again this day to renew the whole earth. Amen.
Wonder-full One, who is made known in silence,
Use this quiet moment to simplify our desires for this day. Rather than participating in the culture of mindless consumption and digital distraction, lead us away to a place of emptying. Hold us in this place long enough to encounter your Presence. Fill us again with the wonder of Love flowing freely through our lives. Amen.
He brought me out into a broad place, he delivered me because he delighted in me.
Ps 18:19
Janet Salbert 