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.
Prayer: A conversation with The Higher Other who lives within each of us. An invitation to vent, to re-think, to ask, and to rest.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Meditation Moments: Lent Begins, Don't Just Give Up! ~ Ash Wednesday, March 2, 2022
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.
Monday, February 15, 2021
Prayers of the People: Good News! ~ First Sunday in Lent '21 Yr B
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...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]
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
~ O God of our Salvation, grant us the wisdom and intent to speak with Christ’s voice to every political leader on this Earth, in this Country, and in this Community; and to join with and encourage all who work diligently for justice, mercy, peace, and the health of us all. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
~ O God of our Salvation, ease the struggle for all who suffer the anguish of isolation, illness, or desperation; and sustain the energy of those who give them care. We now join our hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
~ O God of our Salvation, even as we grieve, we give praise and thanksgiving for those we love who have now risen in glory, to life eternal in You. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
~ O God of our Salvation, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
Monday, February 8, 2021
Prayers of the People: Take a Hike ~ Last Sunday after the Epiphany '21 Yr B
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, guide us away from earthly noise and distraction to consciously seek the lifting of the Gospel veil, that we may listen, and live according to Your Word and Wisdom, the dry and sacred ground of our being.
~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, enfold the leaders of our Planet, our Country, and our Community in a double share of Your Spirit. Open all blinded minds by a heaven-sent whirlwind of spiritual fire to illuminate and beckon all to the path of Your truth, justice, and mercy. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, 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 hearts together to pray for those in need… add your own petitions
~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, ease the darkness of grief across this Earth for those we have sent ahead, who now live again in Your eternal radiance. We pray especially for… add your own petitions
~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, we pause in this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials… add your own petitions
~ O God of Mystery and Splendor, enliven and excite the spirits of all who lead us in Your church, that they may be a luminous beacon to guide us across this life’s troubled waters toward the wholeness of eternal life in You. We pray especially for: add your own petitions
The Celebrant adds: God of
gods, Lord of All That
Is, infuse us with greater strength and purpose to faithfully
reaffirm our covenant with You. 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 transformed in our own
hearts and minds and wills. We ask through Jesus, the Beloved Face of God; and
the Mystical Breath of the Holy Spirit within us; who together with You reign
as One God, now and forever. Amen.
Monday, February 1, 2021
Prayers of the People: Light Lifting ~ 5th Sunday after the Epiphany '21 Yr B
The Celebrant adds:
Gracious, All-Knowing God, free and restore us from the fever of sin, that we
may accept Your call to serve You in 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, now and beyond the ages of
ages. Amen.
Monday, January 25, 2021
Prayers of the People: Awe-fully Amazing ~ 4th Sunday after the Epiphany '21 Yr B
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ O God, Almighty and Everlasting, arouse and provoke us to rediscover amazement and awe in Your faithfulness, justice, and righteousness. Turn us away from the puffery of mere knowledge and the empty glamor in temples of idols, to full engagement and accountability in the work You have given us to do.
~ O God, Almighty and Everlasting, embolden our resolve to demand of those in authority in this World, in this Country, and in this Community, the fulfillment of basic needs, economic justice, and mercy for all Your people, as the fundamental necessities for peace, human rights, and the moral and ethical survival of our souls. add your own petitions
~ O God,
Almighty and Everlasting, help our hearts rejoice as You clothe the newly
departed with Your garments of heavenly splendor and abiding peace. We pray especially for…
~ O God,
Almighty and Everlasting, place Your Voice in the words of all who lead us in
the Church, to speak to us as Your true prophets that we may hear and heed Your
wisdom and commands. We pray especially for:
The Celebrant adds: O God of Truth and Equity, from Whom all things are and for Whom we all exist, free our spirits from all that is unclean and build us up in love. Re-ignite our desire to be Your faithful and faith-filled servants, constantly astounded by the breadth and depth of Your Power and Glory. This we ask through Christ Jesus, our Messiah; and the Counsel of the Holy Spirit; who together with You live and reign as One God, infinite and eternal, now and forever. Amen.