Guardian of Hope, who lifts us to life,
At the dawn of this day, we begin with you in Silence, opening space in our lives for patient waiting. Empty us even of our emptiness. Let gratitude rise in our hearts for places of pasture. Saturate us with your Presence to become truly ourselves creating a flow in our community where love and mercy prevail. Send us out into this day carrying compassion that helps others be true and whole. Amen.
Life-giving Breath, whose delicate strength upholds our lives,
Use this morning silence to deepen our awareness of your Presence. Make each breath an opportunity to awaken our intent for this day. Bring us to understand that life comes through inhaling and exhaling, an eternal pattern of receiving and releasing. Rather than hold on too tightly to that which we receive, give us the grace to release it for others. Mercy, love, and forgiveness multiply this way. Increase our trust as you lead us to places where nothing unfolds into everything. Amen.
God of Re-Creativity, whose constancy is an open invitation,
Bring us toward Your attentive Presence in these silent moments. Use each breath to saturate us with peace. As we take on the challenges of this day, increase our humility for the sake of right relationship. Guide us with an openness to see things from another’s perspective. Sustain us with gratitude for your blessed creatures reminding us to take time to rest in the pleasures of the earth. Deliver us to new places of well-being and hope. Amen.
Sampson of Wentworth Cove
Innkeeper of Grace, whose love abides within and around us,
Before we begin our searching this day, use this silence to open us to the stillness of your Presence. Unify our bodies and souls with each breath. Increase our trust in responding to the guidance of your Spirit. Bring us to live between places of rootedness and places of mystery. Guide us to open spaces where previously we have found only walls. Strengthen our charity and understanding through this window of prayer. Amen.
Cultivator of Color, whose delicate blooms capture our attention,
Empty us in this silence so your fullness may enter. Enliven us with your Presence as we breathe in the lovely, fresh scent of morning air. Slow our pace to dwell amongst summer gardens, taking in the rich variety and textures that bring such pleasure. Refresh our own sense of uniqueness. Perhaps all we need to do this day is stand where we are and grow, enjoying the mingling of fragrance created by those planted nearby. Then, let our community satisfy all those who enter. Amen.
Creator of Nations, who lives and dwells amongst us all,
Open our hearts in this time of silence that we might hear the judgments we make against others. Bring us to understand those same judgments are how we condemn ourselves. Remind us that your kin-dom is built on compassion, one person to another. Deliver us into this day aware of the many nations represented wherever we may be; each nation living through different realities and yet, all the same humanity. Inspire in us a tireless prayer for peace until we become peace. Amen.
Teacher of Simplicity, who lifts us as we let go,
Use this silence to focus our intention on each breath. Empty us of what is no longer useful and fill us with unique energies that bring healing to our world. Show us the ways we overextend ourselves taking on more than we can manage. Guide us in living more simply, releasing everything we hold too tightly so that we can carry more compassion. Send us floating through this day reminded that each moment has it’s own wholeness. Amen
Pilgrim of Peace, who brings purpose that leads to contentment,
In silence, we long for the voice we hear to be yours. Relieve us from our distractions so that we are deepened by an awareness of your Presence. Rather than skimming along the surface of routine, give us courage to move toward what is unknown. Help us to trust the the invisible thread that guides us when we feel lost. Use the fog of our misperceptions to improve our sense of clarity. As we search for what is real, let us not be disappointed when our hearts break. Initiate new understanding and purpose in us as we find the sacred center of this day. Amen. >
Wise Friend, who welcomes us with arms outstretched,
Widen our hearts in this time of silent waiting. Nurture our intent to invite the Spirit’s leading. Open us to the possibility that any encounter with your Presence might help us to see the other who we do not yet know. Teach us to enjoy the rich peace that comes with acceptance. Then, send us out into this day gathering love. Amen.
Loving Liberator, who overcomes our fear through faith,
Drop us into the depths of our interior in this silent moment. Refresh us with a sense of peace through each new breath. Shift our awareness from our thoughts to your Presence. Guide us to explore a step further than we have known before. Gently uncover what is hidden until we bring a unity to our words and deeds today. Amen.
Janet Salbert 