Prayers and More Prayers

Hope in Uncertain Times

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Before this Lenten Season started, I planned to write a prayer each week of Lent and then special prayers for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. Things in the USA are so odd that it seems wrong to write these words and pretend that we can or will celebrate as we usually do. And yet, we know that Easter will come without a full church and lilies and children searching for eggs and choirs singing their long practiced anthems and sunrise services and all the other traditions that make Easter so special. Easter will come as it came the first time…quietly and without fanfare. It is hard to prepare ourselves for that when that doesn’t sound like the Easters we have known. I am thinking of all who are currently serving churches. They are helping their congregations to do church in new ways and trying new things to meet the needs of those they serve. Keep them all in your prayers.

So where are you finding hope in these uncertain times? I’ll share with you what I am doing and also admit that it doesn’t always work. I have moments of fear and dread for those I love, for the work I love that I am doing in a new way, and for people around the world that I do not know and God has called me to love them anyway.

-Put down my phone. Shut off the tv news. The amount of information to which we have access is amazing and overwhelming. I am working on staying informed by checking the news in the morning and in the evening. I enjoy seeing what friends and family are doing on Facebook and also find it upsetting with all the news that is shared there, so sometimes I use my phone as a phone and call someone. Limit the information you view in a way that works for you.

-Spread Hope and Joy. I love getting mail, so I decided last week to start sending mail more regularly. Each day I am writing a card/note and sending it to someone. This daily ritual is bringing me hope and joy as I think of this special someone while writing to them. My hope is that receiving actual mail will bring joy to the receivers as well.

-Keep on Living. My husband said this to me last night when I was having a difficult moment. Then we spent the next half hour deciding where to hang some paintings and pictures in our home. We have lived here since Thanksgiving and have not hung anything on the walls yet. Doing something normal like this eased the worry and helped me to keep on living. (Also, please note we talked about where to hang things and nothing has yet been hung up, so this is not a call for perfection!).

Whatever you are doing in this time, it is enough. Be kind to yourself and each other.

Loving God, We are living in strange and frightening times. We know we are not the first people to live in times like these. Calm our fears. Send us your peace. Inspire us to do good however that is possible. Nothing seems normal, God, and we need you to assure us that you are here and we are loved. Hear us when we call out to you. Amen.

Maybe this will be hanging on the wall by the time you read this post!

Lenten Prayer (Center us!)

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As the Season of Lent is coming closer to the end, we know what is coming, O God. Holy Week will soon be here. Normally that includes waving of palm branches, communion and washing of feet, and that Friday that is called good even as it breaks our hearts. We are feeling uncertain and sad not knowing what this Holy Week will be, Loving God. Slow us down from looking ahead and plant us right here and now. Give us the words that need to be prayed and if there are none, God, sit with us in holy silence. In this time and place, we are resting in your presence.
(Sit in silence for a time. How long you remain silent is up to you. Even a few moments can refocus you. I like to recommend for beginners of sitting in silence to sit until you feel uncomfortable and then sit awhile longer. Notice your breathing and be aware of any words or thoughts that come into your head. Thank God for them. Thank God for any people who enter your thoughts. And when it is the right time for you, end the prayer).
God of silence and beautiful noise, we are thankful for this time of prayer which has centered us in you today. Help us to remember and be renewed by this time with you and give us strength to face the day. Amen.

Lenten Prayer (Keep on going)

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This is a season of trying, failing, and trying again, O God. We come to the season of Lent with such lofty goals of how we will do all the things to strengthen our relationship with you. And often by this time in Lent, we may have given up as we realize that we cannot do all things. Inspire us, Faithful God, to do what we can with your help. Awaken us to where we can grow and change and know you better. Help us to leave behind the pieces that are not important. This season is not over and there is still time and hope for us. For your love, mercy, and forgiveness, we are grateful, Holy One. Amen.

Lenten Prayer (Send us Peace!)

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To prepare for this prayer of peace, settle yourself somewhere that brings you peace. It may be a favorite place in your home. You might go outside or sit near a window where you have a good view. And if it is not possible to move to a peaceful location to pray, close your eyes for a moment and imagine your peaceful place. Now join me in prayer.

Holy and Loving God, We your children are in need of peace today. When it feels like chaos reigns, remind us that you are in control. When our schedules and calendars no longer apply, focus us on what is most important. When the news seems grim, help us to shut off the tv, set our smart phones down, and give ourselves a break from constantly receiving instant information. We your children, O God, are in need of your peace today. When the future seems uncertain, send us your peace. When worry is our first response, send us your peace. When hope is distant, send us your peace. For your peace which passes all of our understanding, we pray. Amen

Lenten Prayer (Slow us down!)

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Holy One, As we observe this Lenten season, slow us down. Open us to seeing and hearing what is happening around us. Remind us that our to do lists will wait and we should spend a bit more time with you. Push us to get outside more to observe your amazing creation. With deep cleansing breaths and slower steps, we are awaiting your words for us this day. Show us that the things we see as obstacles in our path may actually be you encouraging us on a new path. Gracious God, help us to be present in each moment this week to see what will be revealed. And now, to help slow us down, we will take three deep breaths and then end this prayer with a big AMEN!

Lenten Prayer (Let this Be a Season of Openness to God)

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Loving God, The season of Lent has begun. Whether this is our first Lent or we have observed so many Lenten seasons that we can no longer count them, we want this to be a time we are more open to you, Gracious God. Open us to hear your voice leading us and inspiring us. Open us to see you in each other in this place and everywhere we go this Lenten season. Stir our hearts to be ready for change. We see the brokenness around us and in our own lives, so help us to be healers. We will trust in you that this Lenten season will renew us to do your work faithfully. Lead us, God, and we will follow you. Amen.

Ash Wednesday Benediction

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Ash Wednesday is this week. I invite you to reread An Ash Wednesday Prayer and A Reading for Ash Wednesday. This year I share a blessing as you observe Ash Wednesday.

Go as those marked as God’s beloved. Look at those you meet and remember each one is also God’s beloved.

Go knowing your days on earth are numbered. Make the most of each day you are given by showing kindness and fighting for justice.

Go to embark on this Lenten journey. Go where God sends you to do God’s work. Amen.

Lent is Coming!

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The season of Lent begins in a little over a week as Ash Wednesday is February 26. I looked back at how I have been practicing the season and what I have encouraged you to do in past Lenten Seasons. Now, is a good time think about how you will observe the season. Giving away 40 things in 40 days and not eating meat on Fridays have become customary practices for Lent in my household. This year I am also planning to return to my regular writing practice. Each week of Lent there will be a prayer posted to this blog to help all of us navigate this Lenten Season. I thank you for reading and praying with me as we once again follow Jesus through this important season in the church year. And I’d love to hear how you plan to observe the season of Lent.

Sleep Countdown

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What rituals and family activities are important in your life? When I was growing up, my paternal grandmother taught us to count down the time to important events with a sleep countdown. She would ask how many more sleeps until we come visit or you come to visit us. I have passed along the sleep countdown to the next generation and taught Grandma’s great grandchildren to count down how many more sleeps until the big event. It does my heart good to continue my Grandmother’s method of counting down and to share it with her legacies.

So, as I countdown to a visit with my niece and nephew, I am thankful that my memories of my Grandmother live on in me and in others who carry on her traditions. I’d love to hear about the rituals and family activities that frame your life.

My grandmother holding her great granddaughter.

Merry Christmas (A Christmas Blessing)

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Good and Gracious God, We are thankful for this Christmas season. We ask your blessing on our loved ones near and far and those who live with you. As we remember the baby born, we pray for the children of this world. May they all know they are loved and may they have enough to eat and somewhere safe to lay their heads. As we welcome the Prince of Peace, help us to be people who live in peace with each other. For those who are sad and lonely this season, open our eyes to see how we can be a friend. In a world filled with noise, we take a few moments now to simply be in the silence. (time of silence). God, for your constant presence in our lives, we give you thanks. In the name of Jesus born this night, we pray. Amen.