O Christ, you are our Rest - A Prayer

O Christ, you are our Rest

   among the possible voices that call out to us

      You have called us by name

to follow, and to come aside to a place of rest

To be renewed in our spirits

to be healed in our souls and bodies

We confess, we are prone to live life in a blur of activity

running, fretting, stewing

       Rest is hard to come by

You, O Christ, have called us by name, to enter into your rest

       Help us to cast into the hands of Kind Father our daily grind

To rely on a fresh move of the Spirit to watch over all we care about

      To be renewed in delight by your rest,

      And strengthen our hands for the work you set before us

Little Baby Jesus, holds all creation together

 Kind Father, 

  On This joyous day we are gathered to celebrate the wonder of Jesus,

little baby Jesus, being the Christ.

  A line from scripture says that

"He existed before everything and He holds all creation together."

   This baby, held by his mother, Mary, holds all creation together

This makes our minds and hearts wonder - like Mary's - how can this be?

   And like her, we have a speck of faith

So to the baby, held by his mother, who holds all creation together, hold us together

- As we gather with family, friends, and neighbors in this season

remind us of your goodness that has met us

and that goes before us

- As we take in the news, or tell stories of our lives,

where we say, "things are not as they should be"

remind us that you hold all things together

- As we see people from all over the globe mark and celebrate your birth

give us eyes to see your love for all nations, languages, and cultures

and how you are drawing all people to yourself

Help us gaze deeply - with the eyes of Mary - filled with wonder

How little baby Jesus holds all creation together

And help us to say with her

Yes! 

Yes! to your Good and Beautiful work!

Amen.

A Prayer Walk at Night

 Come with me on a prayer walk

   you'll need the imagination of your heart

we start in the early night, 6:30 or 7 o' clock

   we walk side by side, the Lord walks with us too

         though we may not know it

The stars are already out

   all is quiet

there goes a satellite, and there an airplane

   notice the two flaming planets in the south western sky

   ~silence

The Lord of all creation set this in motion, cares for it all

   in all of the things that have transpired in history

   we are here . . . and so is God

Our heart explodes with joy and praise, for all that God has done

   our voice joins the loud stillness of the darkness... Great is the Lord

The hymn line crosses our hearts 

   "In him there is no darkness at all, the day and the night are both alike

The Lamb is the light of the City of God"

    The Lamb is our LIGHT!

   ~silence

We walk on, the grass ready for winter crunches beneath our feet

  Cattle in the pastures round about graze on the final blades of green grass

Birds leap from the branches of the cedar trees

   ~silence

We think of events of the past week

   some were fantastic, others were of a great evil

Again the words of a hymn, this time, O Holy Night

   "long lay the word in sin and error pining

til He appeared and the soul felt its worth"

   This week a soul who did not know its worth commited great evil

We think of the person who stares at us from the mirror

   And of the names the Lord whispers in our ear

Draw near your neighbor, the kid in your home . . . draw near

    ~silence

Again, O Holy Night

   "A thrill of Hope; the weary world rejoices,

For younder breaks, A new and glorious Morn"

   And the one who has been walking with us, Christ himself speaks...

All is well . . . and all will be well.

   ~silence

Amen.

(originally used in worship at Schweitzer Church, 5 December 2021)

For Those We Love - A Prayer

Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us, to Your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that You are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

I share this prayer from A Time To Pray (Cobbett, 1981, 92), because a dear friend is saying goodbye to a son today. The kind of goodbye that does not say hello again until the resurrection. 

This prayer has spoken to me as much as I've been able to say anything to God, especially when there have been moments of deep concern for people close to me. Living at distance has often meant that my capacity to draw near and be present has been curtailed when my loved ones encounter challenges and burdens. By nature there is a desire in me to put things right, or smooth things out, or be a helper in leading to a good solution. But alas, the lack of omni-presence on my part forcefully reminds me that I am not God; that God is God; and that God's desires and care for my beloveds is greater in every way than my own. 

What else is there to do in the face of our limitations? We can seek to overcome by force of will, or we can become worried sick, or we can grow bitter, or estranged. Or we can entrust to God all the affairs of life, and rest in His care, even in the fiercest storms of life. 

In Holy Week - an Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory Prayer for Holy Week

L: Let us pray for the Church and for the world

Kind Father, almighty God, that all who confess your name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear Our Prayer. (silent prayer)

Guide the people of this land, and all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear Our Prayer. (silent prayer)

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may see Christ in them, and love one another as Christ loves us.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear Our Prayer. (silent prayer)

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation.

Lord, in your mercy, Hear Our Prayer. (silent prayer)

Be our healer, as the world experiences a health pandemic, guide those giving care, conducting research, and leading communities in challenging times

Lord, in your mercy, Hear Our Prayer. (silent prayer)

Renew our hopes and dreams, many of our plans have been dashed upon the rocks, plans set in motion for months or decades 

Lord, in your mercy, Hear Our Prayer. (silent prayer)

Kindle in us afresh a thirst for your living presence, that above all our hearts could hope for; we are living when we are connected to You, the true vine

Lord, in your mercy, Hear Our Prayer. (silent prayer)

We offer these prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(with guidance from BCP, USA, 20th Cent).

A Morning Fog - a new day during COVID 19

Awakening in a fog, so real in so many ways
As the sun will soon cut through it like a knife
We trust the Holy Spirit to quicken our eyes with light
And the Way will be revealed


A Prayer before a new year

On December 29, 2019 - I used the following prayer in worship. The refrain "we send to the cross" is something I’ve encountered in other prayers and was impressed upon to use in this prayer.
Kind Father, As we transition from one year to the next, we look back and we look ahead.
Remind us to look to you and to trust you fully, to send to you our hopes and fears, our joys and sorrows, for you can receive them and make all things new. In faith we pray...

• For the moments of this past year that brought us great joy... we send to the cross
• For moments of grief and sorrow... we send to the cross
• For moments when we blew it with a sister, brother, neighbor, or friend... we send to the cross
• For moments when we were renewed in an act of worship... we send to the cross
• For our hopes in the year ahead... we send to the cross
• For the turmoil in our country and the new election cycle... we send to the cross
• For those who will welcome new life, or those who will have a new medical diagnosis... we send to the cross
• For the church of Jesus Christ, and for the UMC as it looks ahead in its stymied state of being... we send to the cross
• We send to the cross the following....

Thank you for the work of Christ done on the cross; to take away our sins, to transform life’s moments of grief and lead them to a new and glorious beginning. This past year we send to the cross. This new year, we receive from You, and commit it to the Way of Jesus. Amen.

A Christmas Prayer from the Angels

"Glory to you in the highest heavens, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased."
Kind Father,
You sent your angels to proclaim in song "good news to the world"
  That in the baby Jesus you placed a way of salvation in the world
And this Way was good new for all people,
   all could enter in, all could rejoice, all could know your salvation
You sent the angels to the Shepherds, at night, to the night watchmen
   They were surprised - no one brought them good news
      their world valued them little, but not You
You see, You behold, You love us all - including the night watchman
As we hear the story again, we pray for us
   Who speak ill of ourselves - may we Hear Your Good News
   Who wonder at what benefit we bring the world - may we Hear Your Good News
   Who are lost in the darkness of our own machinations - may we Hear Your Good News
   Who carry sorrow - may we Hear Your Good News
   Who are overwhelmed with guilt - may we Hear Your Good News
In Jesus, the Light has dawned, Salvation is here
   By your Spirit help us hear, help us sing with the Angels, help us walk with peace and joy in the way of Jesus.
Amen.

Time to Awaken

Coffee,
the coo of a whipperwill
The chirping of crickets
The early morning sun rises through the trees
To crystallize the dew droplets on the blades of grass
A pup at my feet gently groans, awakening
The whole creation groans, time to awaken

The Winds Did Blow

The heavy grass bowed low
Last nights rain and winds did blow
Stirred up was the courage
Of a red wing black bird
Who flapped its wings at a calf in the field and made it move and moo
Of a doe to give birth
And of the little fawn to walk across our path
On our morning walk
The rain renews
The Wind cause to bow and move

Kind Father, renew and move. Before thee I do bow. Amen.

St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer


Today is St. Patrick’s Day. Many will wear green, play with shamrocks, and eat and/or drink something Irish. All well and good.
What I find incredible about St. Patrick is his love for God and love for his enemies. At the age of 16 he was kidnapped and taken as a slave to Irealand. While there his love of God and love for neighbor and enemies expanded. After six years in captivity, he escaped, returned to his home, and made plans to return to Ireland with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
St. Patrick is credited with several prayers, his Breastplate prayer is good in any season. I think it is particularly pertinent in a season of facing fears, dangers, and enemies. For me, it draws out the fear and gives me different eyes, to see an enemy as a beloved of God; my neighbor, my sister, my brother.
____
"Christ be with me, Christ within me
Christ behind me, Christ before me
Christ beside me, Christ to win me
Christ to comfort me and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger
Christ in hearts of all that love me
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger."
(390-461 A.D.)
(Source: https://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=550)

Easter Happiness - a prayer on Resurrection Day

Kind Father,
 On Friday Jesus thrust himself fully on you
  He gave his life for us and the forgiveness of our sins.

And today, RESURRECTION Day - You have not disappointed
 You raise up your Son
   Your faithful, strong love - gave Him victory over death

We confess that we do not always trust as fully as Jesus
 But your faithful and strong love is never failing
   And in faith, we rejoice that we can be found in Him
  United to You
    Full of the Spirit of life

Being found in Him, bring joy and confidence
 Joy and Confidence contend for us when the sting of death visits
   When sorrow is great
      When we are searching for direction in the fog of life

Christ meets us
  at the tomb, on the road, in daily life and work
Christ meets us
  with joy, with courage, with vision, with victory and love

This day, take our faith - little or great
 and grow in us the enjoyment of this Easter happiness
And as you do in us,
  do likewise in all nations and in all the earth

With Joy and Confidence we pray. Amen.

(The phrase "the enjoyment of this Easter Happiness" is found in a prayer by Saint Gregory the Great,   who served as Pope from 590-604)

Chained to the Altar

Chained to the altar
   my heart that wants to go to flight

on the altar is the lamb that was slain
  on the altar is the Word become flesh
     on the altar is God, among us
         come to bear the suffering of the world,
of my suffering
       
come to bring healing for this broken heart

so I chain my heart
   that wants to flight
I keep it before its Hope and Healing

       

All Things - A Prayer

Kind Father

All things come from you
All things return to you

Within an instant all things in my hands can be taken away
in the next moment
the next breath

Do not take
But let me offer all that is in my hand
Amen

The Glad Songs of the Birds

Awaking I am met with the glad songs of the birds

They sing with delightful harmonics

Greeting the new day

Giving voice to their creator

My desire instantly longs to join in their gladness and harmony

To greet this new day with joy

To give voice to my creator

Awaking I am met with the glad songs of God's creatures singing God's songs

I am drawn into this new day 

A Prayer on Christmas Eve

Kind Father

With joy and anticipation we have gathered tonight 

we're anticipating singing Christmas carols that are or are becoming our favorites

we're anticipating hearing the story of Jesus' birth and how His light - Your light can change our world

the kids among us are anticipating Christmas morning . . . present time

Celebrating You bring us joy

Our hearts are made for you and with You we find rest, peace, hope, love and

Joy

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, remembering also his crucifixion and resurrection for the sins of the world

we pray that You would shine your light into our hearts and into our world

There is still darkness

still evil

still sorrow

still slavery

still brokenness

Come, Lord Jesus Come

into our world and into our hearts that still needs your Life and Light.

Send the Holy Spirit to stir up hope and whisper in our ears the great mysteries of God.

As we sing and worship, drive doubt and fear away

Unite our hearts with Yours

Let Justice roll down into our fingertips,

let Mercy shape the framework of our judgments

and Gladness be on our lips.

May our streets pulse with the songs of the Shepherds, with our songs, and the songs of the angels. Amen. 

April

A Poem about April

by Anna Leininger

April can’t make up her mind;

Rainy and cold

Or sunny and bold,

The wind is not always kind.

What should I wear?

Blowy and chilly

Or hot and stilly,

Just look at my crazy hair!

One thing I know;

Stormy and wild

Or temperate and mild

April is better than snow.

Morning Moon

Morning Moon hangs low in the western sky

    its glow illumines the landscape outside of my window

      inside the room it stirs me awake

to rise

to read

to pray

awaiting the sun

as it departs the morning birds bridge the gap between the lights 

rambling from branch to branch  

singing the songs of spring

awaiting the sun

the sun cracks the eastern sky like a thin blade of grass

  gently it imparts its greeting

let this new day begin

I see you there

i see you there

 up in your big chevy suburban

   hand held high at the slow pace of the driver in front of you

where does this Saturday morning drive lead you

   what presses so 

     that the speed-o-meter must run faster

the world has been good for you, generally

   far, you are, from the majority world of daily subsistence

     far you are, from the world of your youth, where with an inquisitive mind you explored the plight and glory of humanity

you raise your hand and i see you

The Church

The church (on her better days) – has been (and is) a place

   where the wounded are bandaged up,

      where the oppressed find liberty,

        where the overwhelmed are encouraged,

           where the persecuted find courage and strength,

             where the lost are found

                where the despairing are repaired

                    where the hungry are fed

                        where the lonely find a family

                           where the unnamed are called by their names

                               where the fool finds wisdom

                                   where the sinner finds forgiveness

                                       where the misunderstood find understanding

                                           where small dreams meet the bigger dreams of God 

                                              where talents find grace and the world is changed

 where heaven and earth rejoice

(written for worship, Sept 23, 2012)