Prayers and More Prayers

Be Thankful!

Leave a Comment

As Thanksgiving approaches, I hope we all stop and take time to reflect on all for which we are thankful. Make a list. Say it out loud. Draw a picture. Sing your thanks. Write it in the sand if you find yourself at the beach this week. No matter how you record your list, take the time to be thankful. And after your time of reflection, tell the people who made your list that you are thankful for them. Reflect and then share. This is how we live lives of gratitude.

Loving God, Be with us in this time of thanksgiving. Create in us a thankful heart, so that we may say thank you and mean it. We thank you, God, for creating us, for loving us, for forgiving us, for challenging us to do more, and for listening to us. Teach us to be thankful daily for all the goodness in our lives. Inspire us to be the good in other’s lives too. God, we are thankful. Amen.

We Pause to Remember on All Saints’ Day

Leave a Comment

November 1 (or the Sunday closest to it) is the day we pause to remember those who have died in the past year. Churches I’ve attended have had various ways of remembering including lighting candles and filling the worship space with pictures and stories.

Today, I am remembering two family members who died this year. My father-in-law, Peter, died in January. He was a man who loved to laugh, go to mass, and spend time with his family. And just a few weeks ago, my maternal grandfather (who was my last living grandparent) died at the age of 95. He was a farmer who loved a good card game and a big bowl of ice cream. I am remembering them and giving thanks for their legacies.

God of All Ages, We thank you for those we love who are now with you. As we grieve, heal our broken hearts. As we remember, bring laughter and joy to those memories. We ask for your presence not just with those of us gathered here but with all around the world who are remembering and giving thanks for time spent with those they love. We are grateful for long lives well lived and we pause to wonder about lives ended too soon. We trust you, Loving God, and know that you are working all things together for good. Thank you, Faithful God, for all the saints who from their labors rest. Amen.

A Prayer for the Ordinary Days of Life

Leave a Comment
Someone I know was talking with me recently about hoping for a change from the ordinary. When the unexpected happened, her world was turned upside down and she said to me be thankful for the ordinary. So today’s prayer is a prayer for our regular, ordinary, daily life with a reminder to give thanks at all times.
Good and Gracious God,
It is another regular day. I’m in my routine and seeking to give thanks for stability. When I find myself longing for something more or something different or a big change, ground me in the place where you planted me. Open my eyes to see the blessings surrounding me. Slow me down to notice the goodness and beauty in the place I call home. Whatever work I do today, help me to do it faithfully and with compassion. Bring joy to the mundane tasks and keep thoughts of boredom away. Amid the many errands, bills to pay, phone calls to return, dishes to do, laundry that must be washed, cleaning to be done, lawn that needs mowed, appointments that must be scheduled and attended, and everything else that makes up my to do list, God, help me to love this life you have given me. Help me to spread joy. Help me to see the humor in the everyday. Help me to love others as much as you love me. In your holy name, Amen.

Worship Words for a Sunday Morning

Leave a Comment

On Sunday, I am preaching and leading worship for a local church. I wrote and compiled (from my previous writings) these words that will be used this Sunday. These worship words could be used just about any Sunday of the year as we gather as communities of faith to worship our God.

One-Is there anyone here who has ever felt scared or worried on a Sunday morning? Were you wondering-will I fit in? Will I be welcome? Does God still love me? The answer is yes!

Come in your suits, your shorts, your flip flops, and your dresses.

All-We are welcome here.

One-Come from your jobs, your shelters, your schools, and your retirement homes.

All-We are welcome here.

One-Come wearing smiles, shedding tears, looking nervous or frightened, and with your anger.

All-We are welcome here.

One-Come with your questions and answers. Come with your prayer requests and answered prayers. Come to sing songs you love and songs others love. Come to hear God’s Word as part of this faith community.

All-We are God’s beloved. Let us worship our God who loves us just as we are.

 

Invocation-

Amazing God, you have welcomed us into your house today, and we are grateful. Speak to us in words, in music, in the smiles of another, in the peace we feel here, and in the silence. We open our herts and our minds to hear from you. Amen. 

 

Invitation to the Offering-

All that we have is a gift from God. This is our opportunity to say thank you to God by returning what we have been given to the Giver of All Good Gifts. With generous hearts, let us give our gifts.

 

Prayer of Dedication–

Gracious God,

We present to you our tithes and offering knowing you have great plans for the money we give.  We, also, offer ourselves for your service knowing you have great plans for each of us.  Use what we have given and use us to share your love with this hurting and hopeful world.  Amen.

 

Benediction–

May love rain down on us, so we know why God calls us beloved.

May challenges and questions fill our days, so we know the Spirit of Wisdom and Creativity who walks with us.

May many opportunities to see Jesus in each other arise, so we practice compassion, justice, and mercy as Jesus did.

Go out into God’s world knowing you are never alone and always loved. Amen.

Middle of the Night Prayer

4 Comments
Recently, I found myself awake and unable to go back to sleep at 3:30 in the morning. I tried all my usual ways to encourage myself to go back to sleep and none of them worked. Instead of fretting over how I was going to make it through the work day with so little sleep, I decided to pray for people I know and those I do not know who are awake at this time of day.
Loving God,
Be with the caregivers of babies and young children who find themselves awakened in the middle of the night. Send your peace to mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and all other people who are awake because the schedules of babies and small children do not fit into a neat box. Grant them your compassion when they are exhausted. Grant them good rest for the times they get to sleep. And surround them with kind people who will help them through the difficult nights and days.
Be with those who work the overnight hours to keep us safe, healthy, warm or cool, and fed. Be with the night owls who enjoy the overnight shifts and be with the people who take those shifts for the extra money to try to make ends meet. Keep them safe on the roads and in their places of work. Help them to know that their hard work is appreciated.
Be with the caregivers to the ill and dying who are awake in the night. Send your peace to the caregivers and the ones receiving care. Send people into their lives to support them in this challenging time. And help them to hold onto hope for healing in this life or the next life.
Be with all who are awake because of worry or anxiety or stress or racing thoughts. Calm the mind and spirit. Send your spirit of peace upon all who are seeking peace this night. Remind each one that they are loved more than they know and you are always here.
Be with all who are awake and don’t even know why. Give them strength for the coming day.
God, for all who find themselves awake before the sun, we ask your blessing. Hear their prayers and answer them. Send your spirit of peace upon them and grant them a good rest soon. Amen.