Prayers of the People: Witness Protection ~ 2nd Sunday in Lent '18 Yr B

For Sunday, February 25, 2018, 2^nd Sunday in Lent, Year B, Readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Psalm 22:22-30, Romans 4:13-25, Mark 8:31-38

     When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared...and said to him, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. ...No longer shall your name be Abram, but your name shall be Abraham...And I will make my covenant between me and you...to be God to you and to your offspring after you. [Genesis 17:1-2a, 5a, 10a]

     My praise is of him in the great assembly; I will perform my vows in the presence of those who worship him...My soul shall live for him; my descendants shall serve him; they shall be known as the LORD'S for ever. [Psalm 22:24, 29]

     For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith...[Abraham] grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God...For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all...who share the faith of Abraham. [Romans 4:13, 16, 20b]

      But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things...For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? [Mark 8:33, 36]

            In this second week of Lent, Abram and Sarai become Abraham and Sarah, and the Psalmist instructs us in the praise of God and the reasons for it. Paul is explaining Abraham's righteousness of faith. In other words, his moral and virtuous faithfulness in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. [I underlined because I like that image of God!] Paul then says that Abraham, hoping against hope, believed what God told him about all that was to come. Swiss theologian Heinrich Emil Brunner [1899-1966] once said that “What oxygen is for lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life.” And so with hope in place, Abraham and Sarah, with a few hiccups along the way, yet giving glory to God, journeyed on. Abraham, giving witness to his faith repeatedly, and hope and meaning to all our lives, has ultimately become the patriarch of the three Abrahamic religions. For Christians, he is the prototype of faith in the God that brings us to Jesus.

       In the Gospel reading from Mark, Jesus gets serious with the disciples about his imminent future. Peter decides to challenge these notions of the suffering and death to come and Jesus, in a stunning and stern moment, rebukes Peter, calling him Satan!  We also are reminded by this that we all go about setting our minds on human things and not divine in everyday life, and this is a direct cue to stop for a moment and think about the words of Jesus: For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Because we are so tied to “this” life, losing it for the sake of Jesus and for the sake of the Gospel is neither comfortable nor comforting. Speaking of our faith publicly ~ as in witnessing ~ is even more difficult for many of us. But, our human sojourn is brief, and we know not the day or the hour that it will end, no matter who we are or who we think we are.

       The gift of Lent is the time to reflect, repent, and re-start our true and faithful life. As disciples of Christ in our own day, we are called to bear witness to the glory of God in Jesus and live out our days by and for the sake of the Gospel. If we do, we are the recipients of the full protection of God’s everlasting covenant. Otherwise we can try to take our treasures with us when we go but, well, good luck with that...

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God Almighty, fill us with the faithfulness of Abraham and guide us to seek the names You give to our souls. Open us to receive, and accept, the bond of Your everlasting covenant, as we give witness to Your saving deeds with praise and action.

                                                     O Lord of Presence and Promise

RESPONSE:                  We turn our penitent hearts to You

~ O God Almighty, infuse the leaders of our world, our country, and our community with reason, justice, and humanity, that they may govern with clarity of judgment and charity of spirit. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       We turn our penitent hearts to You

                                                      

~ O God Almighty, let all who are ailing in body, mind, or spirit experience Your healing grace and the constancy of Your affection; and grant respite for those who tend to their needs. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       We turn our penitent hearts to You

             

~ O God Almighty, in sorrow and with love, we commend to You our faithful departed, to live again in the peace and glory of life everlasting. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       We turn our penitent hearts to You

~ O God Almighty, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       We turn our penitent hearts to You

             

~ O God Almighty, nourish all who lead us in Your Church with the unchangeable Truth of Your Presence within and without, as they walk with us toward salvation in Christ. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord of Presence and Promise

                                                       We turn our penitent hearts to You

             

The Celebrant adds:  Living and Eternal God, You promise us life unending and love without limit for the mere price of our enduring faith. We come to You imperfect, yet willing to use these days of Lent for resisting the temptations of this life in exchange for bliss and blessedness in the next. We ask this through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and Your Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who live and reign with You, One God, forever and ever.  Amen.

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Meditation Moments: Lent Begins ~ Don't Just Give Up, Take On ~ Ash Wednesday '18

For Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2018

   The fronds from last year's Palm Sunday have been burned to ash. We've filled up on Mardi Gras, which literally means Fat Tuesday, by participating in a carnival festival and/or eating loads of pancakes or whatever other "fattening" feast is available. The day before Ash Wednesday is also known as Shrove Tuesday as we are soon to be shriven, that is, if we present ourselves for confession, repentance, and penance. And now, Lent.

         The word "Lent" comes from the old Anglo-Saxon language and essentially means "lengthen" as in the days lengthening in the Spring. Of course, in the Southern Hemisphere, the days are shortening so the perspective is a little different. However, we who are Christians from the Roman, Orthodox, or Anglican traditions all observe the same 40 days of Lent. It is to mirror the 40 days and nights Jesus spent alone in the wilderness, after his Baptism by John, being tempted by Satan, in preparation for the official start of his ministry that began when he returned.  

        Sundays are in Lent, rather than of Lent. A picky detail but if you've ever counted the days from Ash Wednesday to Easter....more than 40 days because Sundays aren't actually counted as they are in other liturgical seasons.
          Even if you are not a church-goer, or in a denomination that experiences Lent, for someone who has faith, or wants to have faith, or whose faith has been shaken or is shaky, Lent is a season to rediscover our relationship with God and renew our commitment to it. It is a time for reflection of our past actions, our genuine intentions, and the repair of our souls. Some of us will be marked on our foreheads this day with the sign of the cross in the palm ashes. This is an outward sign of and inward recognition of our human mortality. Christian or not, we all know the expression Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. No matter how high one reaches in life, or how low, we all return to dust.

          During these 40 days, some of us will enter into a period of dedicated fasting, prayer, and self-denial. Some will give up things such as chocolate, alcohol, or cigarettes, some will take on activities such as daily meditation or volunteer work. Some will begin in earnest and maintain their discipline and others will fall away in distraction or be a bit haphazard. There's no right or wrong way to do Lent when you are intentional about wanting to be closer to God. Whatever your mode, with or without you, Lent begins...

             Create in me a clean heart, O God, and help me find my way back to You. While I would like to show my good intentions by grand repentant gestures and worthy pious activity, I have to be honest here as I know I'm not likely to stick with a full on heavy discipline for 40 whole days. So, for today, please help me clean my heart and restore my soul in other smaller ways such as with patience to give up arguing a point on Facebook and take on being mindful of my thoughts, emotions, and actions while driving and in the grocery store line. Dear Lord of all Peoples, on each day of this Holy Lent ~ and beyond ~ let me understand and live into the words You have given us through Jesus:

"Forgive us our sins AS we forgive those who sin against us."  

             Perhaps that could change us all for the better.  

For all this we pray. Amen.

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Prayers of the People: Promises, Promises 1st Sunday in Lent '18 Yr B

For Sunday, February 18, 2018, 1^st Sunday in Lent, Year B, Readings: Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-9, 1 Peter 3:18-22, 

Mark 1:19-15

      God said to Noah and to his sons with him, "As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, and with every living creature that is with you...and every animal of the earth with you...and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."  [Genesis 9:9-11, 15b]

     To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul, my God I put my trust in you...for You are the God of my salvation...All the paths of the LORD are love and faithfulness...[Psalm 25: 1a, 2b, 9a]

      ...in the days of Noah...in which a few, that is, eight persons were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you... [1 Peter 3:20b-21a]

      In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan...And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan...and the angels waited on him...after John was arrested, Jesus came...saying...repent, and believe in the good news. [Mark 1:9,12-13, 14a, 15b]

       From the receding waters of The Flood, to the baptismal waters of the Jordan, and on into the Judean wilderness, we journey this week through the various stages of God's continuing covenant through signs, symbols, and messengers. 

        God makes a covenant (promise) with Noah and his sons and gives the rainbow as a sign by and for God as a reminder of that promise to us all, God included. Who knew God needed a sticky note, just like the rest of us? I always marvel at rainbows and even though I know rationally it's just a refraction of light through micro water droplets, the fact that a full spectrum of color appears gives me a more mystical experience and, at the very least, I remember the story of the sign given to Noah.

          If we are feeling less than adequate in expressing our prayers, the Psalmist paves the way and reminds us of all the ways we can ask God to help us, all the ways that God does help us and, that All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
         The author of 1st Peter tells us that our baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience - in effect, we do the promising this time - and it counts even if done by others on our behalf. We can also be baptized by desire, if we haven't been through the ceremonial waters, and make the promise for ourselves. After his own baptism by John, Jesus is driven into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted, later returning to fulfill his vocation to bring us to God. The season of Lent mirrors the 40 days of his experience.
         The wilderness in our day can be anywhere that we feel lost and alone, isolated by others or even ourselves, or just plain unworthy, riddled with a sense of guilt for real or imagined sins. Lent is a designated opportunity to actively engage in a relationship with Jesus. By intentionally entering a sort of spiritual wilderness to repent (which actually means to turn toward God), we are able to examine our faith and to find ways to be more dedicated to God wherever we are in our life circumstances. It is a time to recognize and acknowledge all those earthly temptations, those temporal enticements, and everyday idols that distract us from our good intentions and draw us away from committing ourselves to a life more centered in Christ.

        We need not take this journey alone, we can walk the path together through individual and communal prayer, meditation, and reflection. Instead of just giving up chocolate, alcohol, or smoking, let's take on this wilderness journey together. Seek out and make a covenant with others for one-on-one discussions as prayer partners, or join a small group – start one yourself, there are plenty of resources around. The partnership can be face-to-face, online in real time or even through phone conversations, email or texts. Let us wait on each other as angels waited on Jesus, in our own space, in our own time, yet together in Christ. I think I'll look for a rainbow colored sticky note for my mirror as a reminder of God's promise to all of us and the promises I've made to God, as well as those good intentions of mine that have wandered away in distractions. Time again to repent and believe in the good news.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God of our Salvation, awaken our senses to Your eternal covenant that embraces the whole of Creation from the very ground we live on, to all humankind, and every living creature. Turn us from the pursuit of temporary pleasure to seek eternal life in the Spirit, through trust and faith in You.

        

                                  Gracious, Loving Lord

        RESPONSE:   We lift our souls to You

~ O God of our Salvation, grant us the wisdom and willingness to speak with Christ’s voice to every political leader on this Earth, in this Country, and in this Community; and to stand with and encourage all who work diligently for justice, mercy, peace, and the health of all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                 Gracious, Loving Lord

                                 We lift our souls to You

                                                      

~ O God of our Salvation, ease the struggle for all who suffer the pain of illness, isolation, or desperation; and sustain the energy of those who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                 Gracious, Loving Lord

                                 We lift our souls to You

             

~ O God of our Salvation, even amidst the shadow of grief, we give praise and thanksgiving for those we love, who have now risen in glory, and returned to life eternal in You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions  

                                 Gracious, Loving Lord

                                 We lift our souls to You

~ O God of our Salvation, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…add your own petitions

                                 Gracious, Loving Lord

                                 We lift our souls to You

             

~ O God of our Salvation, whisper Your wisdom deep into the hearts of all who seek Your Spirit within themselves, for the guidance to draw us ever stronger into the community and communion in Your Church. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                 Gracious, Loving Lord

                                 We lift our souls to You

             

The Celebrant adds: Living Lord of Love and Faithfulness, infuse us with the desire to use this season of Lent as a time of our own spiritual wilderness for the cleansing of our hearts and souls through repentance, the examination and expansion of our faith, and the renewal of good conscience. We ask this through Christ, who suffered for the sins of us all, and the Holy Spirit, the breath of You in our souls, who together with You, reign as One God, over all Creation, forever and ever.  Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Taking it to the Top Transfiguration Last Sunday after Epiphany '18 Yr B

For Sunday, February 11, 2018, Transfiguration Last Sunday after Epiphany, Year,  Readings: 2 Kings 2:1-12, Psalm 50:1-6, 2 Corinthians 4:3-6, Mark 9:2-9

     Then Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up, and struck the water; the water was parted to the one side and to the other, until the two of them crossed on dry ground...a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. [2 Kings 2:8, 11b]

     The Lord, the God of gods...Our God will come and not keep silence... [Psalm 50:1a, 3a]

     Even if the gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [2 Corinthians 4:3-4]

     And [Jesus] was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them...Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" [Mark 9:2b-3, 7]

          While the Transfiguration is, most likely, the focal point for this week's sermons across many Christian pulpits, don't discard the other astounding moments we're given with Elijah. Ask your friends, "Where does the water get parted in the Bible?" It's a trick question, of course, so all the more fun! It is a moment easy to overlook but here it is: Elijah struck the water and the water was parted. It is surprising, to me, in its subtlety. No multitudes on a grand escape with a chasing army close on their heels. A simple: part the waters and walk on dry ground. Be honest, did you remember? Even people who don't know the Hebrew Testament often know, at least, that Elijah was carried to heaven in a chariot, if not one of fire pulled by horses of fire; think of the spiritual Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. But we sometimes don't equate that lift-off with ascension. Elijah didn't die. He just merely ascended to heaven after parting the Jordan river with his cloak! um, wow?! Maybe we should look a little closer at Elijah. After all, he appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration along with Moses, it seems we should know more. But for the moment, let us think about this piece from Mark's Gospel.
           The Transfiguration is one of the five major markers in the life of Jesus along with his Baptism, Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension. Each event is spectacular in its own right and each gives rise to disbelief, even among those who were present. This particular Gospel moment is located high up on the holy ground of the Mountain; which specific mountain is a matter of discussion and debate among scholars and tour leaders. But let us be released from unbelief and the need for factual details - as Paul reminds us that the Gospel is veiled for the unbelievers. Settle in to the short reading and just be enveloped in the mystery, in the shekinah - the cloud of God's glory. Worry less about ifs and whats and whens and just do as God says - LISTEN to Jesus. As children we believe the stories we are told - the good, the bad, and the scary. We learn to separate truth from fiction as we grow older and yet we can revel in the plot of a page-turner novel or a great film or dramatic tv show. Why not suspend doubt and disbelief and imagine the moment: Jesus transfigured, his clothes became dazzling and a cloud overshadowed them, and out of it came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" I envision the Michaelangelo painting in the Sistine Chapel of Adam's finger nearly touching God's, and on this whichever Mountain, I can see a brilliantly radiant lighted figure who is suddenly at the center where Human and Divine meet and connect within. A spark ignites and The Cloud surrounds and the Voice... take a moment to breathe all that in and just sit with it.
            It is time again for me to just listen more and analyze less. The Light of Christ is always on within and without and in any moment of darkness or doubt, I can take it to the top in prayer.  
            Now go read more about Elijah! Click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah 

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord, Our God, guide us away from material distractions that we may lift the Gospel veil to see, listen, and live according to Your Word and Wisdom, the dry ground of our being.

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

RESPONSE:               Let Your Light shine through us

~ O Lord, Our God, enfold the leaders of our Planet, our Country, and our Community in a double share of Your Spirit. Open blinded minds by a heaven-sent whirlwind, that illuminates and beckons them to the path of Your truth, justice, and mercy. We pray especially for: Donald, our President; Tom, Chris, and Lisa, our Members of Congress; John, our Governor; Matt, our County Executive; and Mike, our Mayor.

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Let Your Light shine through us

                                                      

~ O Lord, Our God, grant comfort and healing to all who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and lighten the hearts of all who give care and support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Let Your Light shine through us

             

~ O Lord, Our God, the darkness of grief eases in knowing that those we have sent ahead, now live again in Your eternal radiance. We pray especially for:  

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Let Your Light shine through us

~ O Lord, Our God, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently…

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Let Your Light shine through us

             

~ O Lord, Our God, enliven and excite the spirits of all who lead us in Your church, that they may be a beacon to guide us across this life’s troubled waters toward the wholeness of eternal life in You. We pray especially for: Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Kevin our Bishop; David, our rector; Lloyd, our Rector Emeritus; Emily and Peter, our Associate Priests; and Maryann, our Lay Pastoral Associate.

                                                       Christ, Most Glorious

                                                       Let Your Light shine through us

             

The Celebrant adds:  God of gods, Lord of All That Is, arouse our desire to ascend the highest peak our souls can reach, to be dazzled by the heart of Christ ~ where Divine and Human connect ~ and to be transfigured in our own hearts and minds and wills. We ask through Jesus, the Beloved Image of God,  and the mystical breath of the Holy Spirit within us, who together with You reign as One God, now and forever. Amen.       

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com

Prayers of the People: Take Flight! 5th Sunday after Epiphany '18 Yr B

For Sunday, February 4, 2018, 5^th Sunday after Epiphany, Year B, Readings: Isaiah 40:21-31, Psalm 147: 1-12, 21c; 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, 

Mark 1:29-39

      Lift up your eyes and see...Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth...those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles... 
[Isaiah 40:26a, 28, 31]

     [The LORD] heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He counts the number of the stars and calls them all by their names. Great is our LORD and mighty in power; there is no limit to his wisdom. The LORD lifts up the lowly, but casts the wicked to the ground. [Psalm 147:3-6]

     I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.  
[1 Corinthians 9:22b-23]

     [Jesus] came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her and she began to serve them...In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went to a deserted place, and there he prayed. [Mark 1:31, 35]


     This reading from Isaiah is filled with non-judgmental, hope-filled language of restoration, rebuilding, and renewal. In it, Isaiah reminds us that we have heard this before, that God has always promised to remain with us and, as during the Exodus, God's power never fails, never grows faint or weary. The prophet calls us to lift our eyes to look at Creation and see. In a poetic turn not only are we protected by the wings of God, but God gives those in exile - and us - wings of our own to lift us out of our weakness and weariness. This part of Isaiah is known as Second Isaiah and also as the Book of Consolation, for those who were in exile from Jerusalem, and, for those of us who feel exiled in our own time and place whether from a sense of home, family, political stability, or general health and well-being.

         The Psalmist reminds us of the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the gathering of the exiles to return home, and how God recognizes and heals the wounds and broken hearts, God lifts up the lowly. 
         Paul's letter, in his not always easy way, speaks of his meeting people where they are in order to offer the way of the Gospel and salvation. What Paul is trying to tell the Corinthians - and us - is that we need to welcome, listen, and not judge. That is a true balancing act in the difficulty we all have in loving our neighbors as ourselves as well as being open and inviting about our faith.
         Jesus lifted up Simon's mother-in-law and she was freed from the fever. Her response was to honor Jesus in the best way she knew how. His response to all that had happened that day was to separate himself to pray in preparation for his next work. Isn't that what we each must do at some point each day?
         This week the readings from Isaiah, the Psalm, and the Gospel all use the word lift. Paul, by extension, is lifting up those he wants to be saved. Let us honor the gifts of God, the healings, the words, and works of Jesus, and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, by accepting our wings, soaring to new heights of commitment, and proclaiming the message by word and example. But first, let us pray, on our own and together, for wisdom, strength, and constant renewal. It's all there for us to claim. Haven't you heard? We are lifted up ~ We can fly!

  LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Everlasting Creator, You call us each and all by our names, and offer us wings like eagles to soar in this life and the next. Grant us the fortitude to meet others where and as they are, that together we may hear, accept, and share in the favor of Your limitless wisdom and abiding strength.

                                                     O Lord, Great and Mighty                                                      

RESPONSE:                  Lift us again to Your Service

~ Everlasting Creator, guide us to be unwavering reminders, to those in Earth-bound political authority, of the limits and transience of human power, and their absolute duty to prosper all who are living lowly in this World, this Country, and this Community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift us again to Your Service

~ Everlasting Creator, bind the wounds and heal the hearts of those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit, and grant stamina to all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need…add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift us again to Your Service

             

~ Everlasting Creator, we celebrate our memories and commend to You, all who have left the exile of this mortal life for Your infinite and eternal paradise. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift us again to Your Service

~ Everlasting Creator, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift us again to Your Service

             

~ Everlasting Creator, continually renew the strength of Spirit in those who preside at the sacred feast of Christ’s table, as they share with us in the work for and the blessings of the Holy Gospel proclaimed. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, Great and Mighty

                                                       Lift us again to Your Service

             

The Celebrant adds:  Gracious, All-Knowing God, free and restore us from the fever of sin, that we may be raised up to serve You by our lives of faithfulness, gratitude, and constancy in prayer. We ask this through Jesus, our Healer, and the Holy Spirit, our Comforter, who live and reign with You as One God, beyond the ages of ages. Amen.

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com