Prayers of the People: Fire and Fruit ~ 3rd Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 16, 2018,  3^rd Sunday of Advent, Year C, Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20, First Song of Isaiah, Philippians 4:4-7, 

Luke 3:7-18

    The Lord, your God, is in your midst...he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love. [Zephaniah 3:17]

      Surely it is God who saves me; I will trust in him and not be afraid…the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
and he will be my Savior... [Canticle 9/Isaiah 12:2, 5]

      Rejoice in the Lord always…The Lord is near. Do not worry...And the peace of God, that passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  [Philippians 4:6]

      Bear fruits worthy of repentance…One who is more powerful than I is coming…He will baptize your with the Holy Spirit and fire. 

[Luke 3:8a, 16b,c]

      In the midst of this otherwise reverently penitential Advent, our season of waiting for the Nativity of Jesus, we come to the Sunday of Rejoicing. The rose candle, the symbol of joy, will be lighted as a sign of our call to be joyous in the nearness of God, in the coming of Christ. Time to experience the excitement, that in Christ, we will be baptized with the Holy Spirit and the fire to spark our faith into action. The writer of Philippians is quite specific by saying Do not worry about anything, because the Lord is near with the peace that surpasses all understanding. It’s hardly easy to relax and not worry in a world seemingly mad with fear and anger, division and hate. Yet all the readings for today exhort us to rejoice, exult, and sing ~ even John the Baptizer, while issuing some serious warnings, proclaimed the good news to the people about the One who is coming.

     While enjoying the joy, we must also take the Baptizer’s message to heart and take some prayerful time to contemplate our sins. That winnowing fork of Jesus, John speaks of, will gather the faithful but send the chaff that doesn't bear good fruit ~ the unrepentant ~ to burn with unquenchable fire. As I race to hang the stockings with care, I need to consider how am I actually living into the faith that I claim? I’m guessing that my murmurs of familiar words on Sunday morning aren’t quite enough to keep me out of that burning refuse.

      Although this is the third Sunday of Advent, it’s a new moment in time. A chance to begin again, to discover that our God, our Christ, our Holy Spirit is truly in our midst, present, teaching, renewing us in love, and filling us with holy fire. Let us turn our focus toward our God ~ that is, to repent ~ to refresh our minds and hearts by worship, praise, and prayer. It is time to reconcile who we are in faith with who we want to become. What must I do differently to be thankful, joyful, and live faithfully? This is the time to look through rose-colored glasses to see the joy that lights up the darkness. Together in faith we become a spiritual orchard bearing only good fruit, gathered by Christ, our Savior, and brought Home.  Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice! [Philipians 4:4]

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God, our Stronghold, stir up our faith that our trust in You will free us from fear and worry. Renew us in Your love as we give You thanks with great rejoicing, exalting Your name by every part of our lives.

                                                   O Lord, our Sure Defense              

RESPONSE:                 Guard our hearts and minds

~ O God, our Stronghold, infuse us with such joy that we may turn the tide of hatred and division into the calm waters of Your peace. Let us inspire especially, all who impose their political pathways on this world, this nation, and this community. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

~ O God, our Stronghold, restore health and hope for all afflicted with serious illness, addiction, or despair, and strengthen all who give them love and support. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

~ O God, our Stronghold, soothe the grieving with the comfort of knowing that You have gathered those we love into the blissful splendor Your Eternal Home. We pray especially for: add your own petitions 

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

~  O God, our Stronghold, 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, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

             

~ O God, our Stronghold, grant special grace and enduring eagerness to all anointed to serve You in Your Church, as they draw us to You on our journey to salvation. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                      O Lord, our Sure Defense

                                                       Guard our hearts and minds

             

The Celebrant adds:  Most Holy God always in our midst, revive our desire to bear good, worthy, and faith-filled fruit in our souls. Turn us always in Your direction, that we may receive and experience the depth of Your peace that passes all understanding. We ask through the Good News of Jesus our Christ; and the Holy Spirit, the Fire of our faith; who together with You reign as One God, in glory, 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: Un-warp ~ 2nd Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 9, 2018, 2^nd Sunday of Advent, Year C, Readings: Baruch 5:1-9, Canticle 16/Song of Zechariah/Luke 1:68-69, 

Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6

       For they went out from you on foot, led away by their enemies; but God will bring them back…carried in glory, as on a royal throne. [Baruch 5:6]       

       In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death... [Canticle 16/Luke 1:78-79a]

      I thank my God every time I remember you…And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight…so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless… [Philippians 1:3, 9, 10b]

     [A]s it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight...'" [Luke 3:4]

             "Slow down you move too fast, got to make the [moment] last..." sang Simon and Garfunkel once upon a long time ago. But at this time of the year we seem to be in warp speed. The clock is ticking, the dates on the calendar fly, there's so much to do, to get, to buy, to wrap, to cook, to clean, to prepare, to finish...so how is THIS supposed to be the season of waiting? The clear question arises – for what is it, exactly, are we preparing? It is, of course, for the coming of Jesus, the birth of the Child raised up by God as our Mighty Savior, as we hear in the Song of Zechariah. John, the son of Zechariah, comes out of the wilderness, as the voice crying in the wilderness, that Isaiah foretold, to proclaim a baptism of repentance and remind us to prepare the way of the Lord.

      Advent is time to think new thoughts about the whys of what we do; a time to be conscious about what is the true gift of life; time to take a break from the ordinary hurry and worry to make ourselves ready for the Christ who saves our souls. Yet this time is made excessively stressful by self-imposed earthly expectations that we accept on behalf of this season. Waiting in these few weeks exacerbates the multiple frustrations of life. There are lines everywhere ~ at the copier, the elevator, the Post Office, the grocery store, in traffic, the doctor's office, and don’t even talk about the mall! But instead of caving to irritation and anger, we can use it to take long, slow, deep breaths and reflect on our deeds of the day, the week, or whatever time frame we choose; the moments that were good, bad, or really not pretty. How often have I looked for God in those moments, offered a brief prayer, a petition, a thanksgiving? 

       How might a little waiting time with God adjust my perspective during my short time in this world? One minute now, 5 later, in the shower, just after turning out the light...just before opening my eyes in the morning, on the way to work...I can make those times God-moments and the more of those I have, the less stress I will have, or at least the stronger I’ll feel in the midst of it all.

      Another suggestion I’ve seen is to start Dec 1 and read one chapter of Luke per day so that by Christmas Eve we will have read the entire life of Christ. Perhaps we’ll arrive at a deeper understanding of the meaning of Christmas itself. Even the decorations take on a new vibrancy, as if you prepare your home for the arrival of an amazingly special guest, the One on whom your entire life depends. So, even though this is the second Sunday of Advent, there's time to catch up and prepare your own way for the Lord. Slow down. Don’t move too fast. Un-warp. The Lord is with you.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ God of Glory and Praise, calm our preparations for the celebration ahead, that we may take time now to prepare ourselves for Christ, God’s true gift. Overflow us with Your love as we make way for the coming of our Savior in each and every day.

                                                     O Lord, our God

RESPONSE:                  Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, for all who cry out from the wilderness of hunger, separation, and fear, urge us to exhort all who govern on this Earth, in this Country, and in this Community, to deliver the distressed from the shadow of death into the brightness of safety and abundance. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, shine Your healing light and love on those who dwell in the darkness of chronic illness or spiritual isolation, and sustain the energy of all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, hold fast to those traveling the rough way of grief as You embrace our loved ones now arrived in the fullness of joy to Your everlasting splendor. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

~ God of Glory and Praise, 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, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

             

~ God of Glory and Praise, grant continuing renewal and unlimited energy to all who guide us in our worship, teach us Your words, and share our journey to eternal life. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Lord, our God

                                                       Guide us to Your Peace

             

The Celebrant adds: O God of the Eternal Dawn and Endless Love, guide us to accept and proclaim a new baptism of repentance and to put our life in Christ above all worldly pursuits, that if suddenly called, we will be ready to account for our time of earthly life. We ask through Jesus the Christ, our Mighty Savior, and the Holy Spirit, our Sanctifier, who together with You are One God, 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: Hope's on First ~ 1st Sunday of Advent '18 Yr C

For Sunday, December 2, 2018, 1^st Sunday of Advent Yr C, Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Ps 25: 1-9, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Luke 21-25-36

       In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. [Jeremiah 33:15]

     To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul…I put my trust in you…let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes…Show me your ways and teach me your paths. [Psalm 25:1a, 2b, 3]

     Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. [1 Thessalonians 3:11]

   …my words will not pass away. Be on guard that your hearts are not weighed down with…the worries of this life, and that day catch you unexpectedly like a trap. [Luke 21:33, 34]

        Happy New Year! That is, a New Church Year. The liturgical season of Advent begins this Sunday in many denominations of Christianity. These four weeks are a time of soulful preparation through self-reflection, repentance, and the expectant waiting for the Nativity, the birth, of Jesus. It is a time for us to start over, to unburden our hearts from the weight of worldly worries, and to renew our commitment to a regular pattern of prayer, worship, and sincere Christian action. It is time to remember to answer the call to increase and abound in love for one another, to restore our faith, and to be ready for that day that will come for us all. If we are not alert, that day may arrive unexpectedly, like a trap, and catch us unprepared. Too often we are caught up in the earthly distractions of the tinsel and trappings, the busy and the bustling of celebrating as if THAT DAY, the one in which we are each called on account, will never happen. And yet, it most certainly will. Christ will come again – will I be ready?

        The word advent is from the Latin adventus which means coming, and we will mark each week by the lighting of a candle in an Advent Wreath with a prayerful reflection before the Liturgy (the Mass or the Service) begins. Each candle represents a theme from the readings of that week. Some people will also use an Advent Calendar to mark each day of the week with a special prayer or meditation on the theme. Advent is the opportunity to be more intentional about preparing for the arrival of Jesus, our Savior.

        This week’s theme is Hope. In yet another year that the lives of millions have been decimated across the world by torrential rains, earthquakes, horrific fires, and the devastating violence wrought by humans, it does give pause and perhaps a sharp inhalation of breath and wonder about what could be next. Never have we needed hope more than now.

        As in every liturgical season of the Church, each of our readings give us insight and instruction to ponder and enlighten us for the week ahead. This week Jesus tells us that his words will never pass away no matter what else happens. Through prayer and attention to our call, we will be ready to stand before the Son of Man. Our Hope truly is in the name and substance of the Lord, and, in our willingness to turn the thoughts and actions of our lives toward the light of God's presence now and to come. 

        It's definitely not easy to get back on the right course, especially at this time of year with all the false glitter that obscures our inner vision and diverts us from our good intentions. But our path forward begins to clear when we are sincere in our desire to dedicate our lives to Christ, and made easier in faith-filled communities earnest in preparation for his return. Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” We light this week’s candle of Hope to brighten the way ahead and to know that All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. [Psalm 25:9]  Hope is on first and we begin with the end in mind.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ Gracious and Upright Lord, lift up our souls, our hearts, and our minds from the lowest valley of earthly worries to the highest vault of heavenly grandeur. Teach us the prayers, the patience, and the trust to stay alert, unafraid, and ready for our salvation through Christ.

                                                    Lord of Love and Faithfulness    

RESPONSE:                 Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, bring gifts of truth, righteousness, and justice to those who govern across the breadth and depth of Your Creation, globally and locally, and let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, soothe and heal all who suffer with chronic illness and those who have lost all hope, and grant respite and renewal to their caregivers. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, comfort the bereaved with a foretaste of the glory of everlasting Salvation in which our loved ones live again and always. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

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

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

             

~ Gracious and Upright Lord, quicken the energy and spirit of those anointed to deepen our faith on our journey together with strength of heart and love for all.  We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       Lord of Love and Faithfulness

                                                       Direct our way to You

             

The Celebrant adds:  Most Holy Jesus, as we enter this season of preparation and waiting, fill us with Your forever words, and keep us open to Your Presence now and the promise of Your Coming. We ask through Jesus, Son of Man, and the Holy Spirit, Seat of Divine Wisdom, who together with You are 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: The Reign of Christ ~ 7th Sunday in the Season of Creation '18 Yr B

For Sunday, November 25, 2018, 7^th Sunday in the Season of Creation, Readings: Colossians 1:15-20, Psalm 93, Revelation 1:4b-8, John 18:33-37

      He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation…He is himself before all things and in him all things hold together. [Colossians 1:15a, 17]

     Your testimonies are very sure, and holiness adorns your house, O Lord, for ever and for evermore. [Psalm 93:6]

     Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come…and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness…”I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God… [Revelation 1:4b, 5a, 8a]

     Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world…I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” [John 18:36a, 37b]

      We have arrived at the final Sunday in the Season of Creation (SoC) and also the Last Sunday after Pentecost in the Lectionary season, both of which celebrate Christ the King. Coming next we begin the Season of Advent, preparing for the birth of the Child in whom the fullness of God is pleased to dwell.

       The readings from Colossians and Revelation for this SoC Sunday are filled with mysterious and almost abstract descriptions that are difficult to comprehend for most modern, western minds. While they also maybe somewhat familiar to anyone who regularly reads the Christian [New] Testament and/or hears them read in a church setting, these words may seem irrelevant in the scheme of daily living in today’s world. How does one concretely grasp God, the Almighty who is and was and is to come, the Alpha and the Omega, from everlasting. Or, Jesus Christ, the image of the invisible God, the faithful witness, firstborn of all creation and also of the dead, ruler of the kings of the earth? Yet we, who would be counted as faithful Christians, should take heed and examine more closely. It is in this daily life in this time that we may easily lose track of our allegiances and settle in more with the temporary earthly powers than in the everlasting divine Kingship of Christ. Although Jesus says his kingdom is not from here, it is here and in this time and place where we encounter him, if we seek him, and if we choose to follow.

       For me, the crux of this Sunday’s lessons is the moment in John’s Gospel that Jesus tells Pilate that everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice [John 18:37b]. Are we listening? Do we hear it? Interestingly, what comes next is not in our appointed reading and I cannot understand why not! Maybe it is even more difficult for us to understand. In verse 38: Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" For us who endeavor to follow, Christ is our unearthly King in this world who shows us the way to the true unending Kingdom. The question for each of us is: to what truth do we choose to belong? The easy answer is: In him all things hold together; and then there is the hard part, faith in action.

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O Lord on High, hold us together and keep us from collapsing in fear whenever we, Your restless multitude, tremble at earthly tumult from both human behavior and natural disasters. In our fleeting mortality turn us always to Christ in whose Kingdom we are forgiven and saved.

                                                    O Christ, our King                       

RESPONSE:                 Keep us in Your Truth

 ~ O Lord on High, for all who are governed by power or throne, by force or dominion, on our planet, in our country, and in our community, we implore You to infuse the wisdom, sanity, and humanity of Jesus into all who lead Your people. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

~ O Lord on High, send healing grace to all who suffer in spirit, mind, or body, and compassion to all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

~ O Lord on High, ease our grief as the souls of our cherished departed arise from earthly death into the ceaseless joy of Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

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

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

             

~ O Lord on High, empower the spirits of those who lead us in Your Church, through Your Word and Sacraments, with the peace, unity, and truth of Christ’s all-encompassing love. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

             

The Celebrant adds: Christ of All Peoples, our Faithful Witness, rescue us from the power of darkness and transform our anxieties into fruitful action. Keep us striving toward Your purpose by offering our labors to soothe the sufferings of humanity near and far. We ask through Jesus our Christ, the Firstborn of all Creation, and the Holy Spirit, the very Breath of Love, who together with You are our 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: Un-Earthly King ~ Last Sunday of Pentecost '18 Yr B

For Sunday, November 25, 2018, Last Sunday after Pentecost, Year B, Readings: 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Psalm 132:1-13, 14-19; Revelation 1:4b-8, 
John 18:33-37

    The God of Israel has spoken: One who rules over people justly…is like the light of the morning…But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away. [2 Samuel 23:3a, 6a]

    Let your priests be clothed with righteousness; let your faithful people sing with joy. [Psalm 132:9]

    Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come..."I am the Alpha and the Omega"... [Revelation 1:4b, 8]

   Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice. [John 18:37b]

        We have arrived at the Last Sunday after Pentecost, celebrating Christ the King. Coming next we begin the Season of Advent, preparing for the birth of the Child, who frees us from our sins.

        The reading from 2^nd Samuel contains the last words of another King, David. The contrast of the just ruler with the godless is stark, explicit, and worthy of comparisons with our own lives. The just ruler, God has told David, is like the light of the morning, like the sun rising on a cloudless morning…Is not my house like this with God? God will help us all be secure and prosper. But the godless are all like thorns that are thrown away…entirely consumed in fire…

         The passage from Revelation brings mysterious and almost abstract descriptions that are difficult to comprehend for most modern, western minds. While they also maybe somewhat familiar to anyone who regularly reads the Christian [New] Testament and/or hears them read in a church setting, these words may seem irrelevant in the scheme of daily living in today’s world. How does one concretely grasp Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, firstborn of all creation and also of the dead, ruler of the kings of the earth? Or the Lord God, the Almighty who is and was and is to come, the Alpha and the Omega. Yet we, who would be counted as faithful Christians, should take heed and examine these words more closely. It is in this daily life in this time that we may easily lose track of our allegiances and settle in more with the temporary earthly powers than in the everlasting divine Kingship of Christ. Although Jesus says his kingdom is not from here, it is here and in this time and place where we encounter him, if we seek him, and if we choose to follow.

         For me, the crux of this Sunday’s lessons is the moment in John’s Gospel that Jesus tells Pilate that everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice [John 18:37b]. Are we listening? Do we hear it? Interestingly, what comes next is not in our appointed reading and I wish that it was! Maybe it is even more difficult for us to fully understand. In verse 38: Pilate asked him, "What is truth?" For us who endeavor to follow, Christ is our unearthly King in this world who shows us the way to the true unending Kingdom. The easy question for each of us to answer is: To what truth do we choose to belong? The hard question and answer is: How do we live it?

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader:  ~ O God Almighty, our Light and our Rock, keep us from collapsing in fear whenever we, Your restless multitude, tremble at earthly tumult from both human behavior and natural disasters. In our fleeting mortality turn us always to Christ in whose Kingdom we are forgiven and saved.

                                                       O Christ, our King         

RESPONSE:                 Keep us in Your Truth

~ O God Almighty, our Light and our Rock, we implore You to infuse the wisdom, sanity, and humanity of Jesus into all who govern Your people everywhere. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

~ O God Almighty, our Light and our Rock, send healing grace to all who suffer in spirit, mind, or body, and compassion to all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… We now join our voices to pray aloud for those in need… add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

~ O God Almighty, our Light and our Rock, ease our grief as the souls of our cherished departed arise from earthly death into the ceaseless joy of Your Eternal Kingdom. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

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

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

             

~ O God Almighty, our Light and our Rock, empower the spirits of those who lead us in Your Church, through Your Word and Sacraments, with the peace, unity, and truth of Christ’s all-encompassing love. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

                                                       O Christ, our King

                                                       Keep us in Your Truth

             

The Celebrant adds:  Christ of All Peoples, rescue us from the power of darkness and transform our anxieties into fruitful action. Keep us striving toward Your purpose by offering our labors to soothe the sufferings of humanity near and far. We ask through Jesus our Christ, the Faithful Witness, and the Holy Spirit, the very Breath of Love, who together with You are our 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