Prayer, day 2488: for Diocesan Convention

O God, You are our refuge and our rock: 
we put our trust in You.

Help us to work together in harmony
in the work You have given us,
and let our deeds bring honor to Your name.
Let us make your Word and commandments our sure foundation,
and seek always to forgive rather than condemn.
Let us remember the generous love You have given us,
and uphold each other in our trials and needs.

Help us testify to the world
about your grace and mercy
by our love and example, Blessed Jesus,
and help us lift up the banner of love and compassion.

Extend the shelter of your mercy
over those for whom we pray this day.

Amen.

Prayer 1759: The 24th Sunday After Pentecost

Almighty God,
we rise to pray before You
grateful for the joy of fellowship in your courts.

Awaken our hearts to see
the face of Christ in every person
and to live into his reconciling gospel.
Make us witnesses of your mercy,
proclaimers of the gospel of grace
that sustains us in hope and joy.
May we embody the healing love you give us
to work for justice and liberation,
for healing and concord within your creation.

Astounded by your grace,
let us go forth from your altar
into the world rejoicing.
Consecrate us for your use, Beloved Savior,
our hearts overflowing with gratitude
and aflame with the Holy Spirit.
Lord Jesus, stretch out your hand of blessing
over those whom we remember before You.

Amen.

Photo: Today, Christ Church Cathedral celebrates the 150th anniversary of its building and faithful witness in the heart of downtown St. Louis.

Prayer 1758: Inspired by Psalm 90 (Diocesan Convention day 2)

Almighty One,
your steadfast love endures forever:
as the curtain of night is lifted,
we see the glory of all your works,
and rejoice!

Your loving-kindness satisfies us
and sustains us all our lives:
we know our times are in your merciful hand,
and You, O God, are with us.

Forgive us for chasing after fleeting pleasures,
for closing our hearts to You and each other,
and failing to care for creation.
Make us mindful of your abundant grace;
and make us generous and compassionate
that our actions may testify to your love.

Teach us instead to number our hours as your gift,
and dedicate our days to seek wisdom and embody mercy,
walking in justice and reconciliation.

Set us aflame by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and make us one Body,
rejoicing in the mighty waters of hope.

Spread the canopy of your blessing, Lord Jesus,
over all who seek you, and especially those we now name.

Amen.

Photo: The Rev. Loren Lasch, my friend and colleague in youth ministry, addresses the 178th convention of the Diocese of Missouri, with my son and other youth behind her.

Prayer, day 1397: For the opening of diocesan convention

Dawn this morning was particulaly spectacular. 

Come, let us walk humbly with our God today, that our lives testify and worship the Lord with all we do. 

Our help comes from You, O Holy One: give us the strength and the wisdom to persevere in all our struggles today. 
O God, we pray for peace in our homes, peace in our communities, peace in our nation, and for peace in the world. 

May we remember that the foundation of peace is justice and equity, compassion and mercy, repentance and forgiveness, strength and love.
May God's love be our mantle against the chill of fear, and our shade against the heat of turmoil. 

Lord Jesus, reign in our hearts and teach us your ways: draw us all within your healing embrace as we pray.

Amen.
1033

Prayer 1033- At diocesan convention

New deacon Elizabeth Simpson receives a Bible from Bishop George Wayne Smith at the Eucharist and ordination held to open the 176th Convention of the Diocese of Missouri.

Almighty and merciful God, we rise with a song of praise on our lips for all your wondrous deeds. Let us waken the dawn with a prayer of thankfulness, that we may rejoice forever in You, O Holy Lord, God of power and blessing. 

Let us treat no one with contempt or ill-will, but let us take joy in each other by the power of the Holy Spirit. We dedicate ourselves anew to serving You, Holy One, for You are making a new heaven and earth within us. 

Unite us to You and each other through the love of Christ, and make us steadfast and sure in discerning your path of love, we pray. Restore all things good and right, loving and pure within us, O Prince of Peace. 

Lord Jesus, we bend the knee of our hearts before You: we ask that you draw our loved ones within the circle of your embrace.

Amen.

Prayer 670

Moi and the newly Rev. Chester Hines after his ordination yesterday at the 175th Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of Missouri.

We raise our voices in praise and song to You, O God, our Creator and Light.
For our manifold blessings-- community, hope, faith, and love-- we give thanks to You, O Lord.
For all who are gathered as disciples, seeking to discern your will in our lives, we give thanks to You, O Lord.
For the Light of Christ, which uplifts our hearts and minds, bringing us into communion with You, we give thanks to You, O Lord.
For all who seek You, or a deeper knowledge of You, that your kingdom may be glorified on Earth as in heaven, we pray to You, O Lord.
For all who travel this day, for traveling mercies, that they be returned to their homes safely, we pray to You, O Lord.
For wisdom and justice to be strengthened and restored in our land, we pray to You, O Lord.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble, that the awning of your mercy shield and shade them, we pray to You, O Lord.
For those struggling against illness or pain, that your healing hand may uplift them, we pray to You O Lord.
Holy One, we pray especially for these, your servants we now name.

Amen.

Prayer for the 175th Diocesan Convention

We thank You, Loving One, for the gifts You have given us in your generosity and everlasting love for us.
For the blessing of this new day, that we use it to the glory and worship of your Name, we thank You, O God.
For the blessing of our talents and abilities, for we all can do something in service of You, we thank You, O God.
For the blessing of friends and loved ones, and for those we will meet today to see your face before us, we thank You, O God.
We lay our prayers and petitions before your altar, O Loving One, for You uphold us always.
For those who are to be ordained as deacons in your church: Kevin, Nancy, Jerre, Rebecca, Chester, and Deborah;
Grant us the wisdom to seek your will, not ours, in all we do.
Grant us the will to fight for the weak, the outcast, the poor, and the lowly.
Let us seek always to hear the better angels of our nature & fulfill your command to establish justice and peace.
Grant us the strength to meet our challenges and trials with grace and perseverance, and rejoice in our blessings always. Amen.