Almighty Creator,
we draw before You
and praise You
in a thousand places,
drawn to your altar
in love and thankfulness.
Lord Jesus,
draw us under your wing
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings.
Strengthen us, O Redeemer,
with the warmth of your embrace
even as we are comforted.
Then send us out, renewed,
as your disciples and friends,
to testify to your saving help,
to reflect the love of God in the world.
Let us stand with the persecuted,
repent together as sinners,
build the edifice of justice for the oppressed,
feed the hungry,
and comfort the suffering and anxious,
all for your love's sake
and as you commanded, Lord Christ.
United by your Spirit,
O God Beyond All Borders,
we lay our cares before You,
and we ask your blessing upon these beloveds.
Amen.
Most Merciful God,
the rising light of dawn pulls me to wakefulness,
and calls me to seek You,
drawing deeply of your abundant love
as I come to You in prayer.
By your compassion and mercy
my soul is revived, O Holy One,
as when the dry ground gratefully absorbs fresh springs,
as when winter fields are blessed with warming rains.
You are my peace and my shield, Lord Christ:
gentle my ways,
and smooth the corners of my heart,
for like a mother You bear me
and keep me in your arms as your precious child.
Strengthen me to follow You, O Beloved Savior
in humility and lovingkindness,
in witnessing with joy
to the power and grace of the healing love of God
which seeks to reconcile us to all creation.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
consecrate me and my labors to your glory.
Lord, You know our cares and our trials:
and we gather in your name
as a community of prayer
to lift each other up in hope before You.
Grant your peace and holy respite
for all whose needs we lay at your feet
knowing You are with us all,
in joy or in trial.
Amen.
Merciful God, we give thanks for your love,
for You have searched us out and known us,
and drawn us to your breast
with the warmth and safekeeping of your mighty wing.
Accept our prayers and praises, O Holy One,
for we are your children,
fledglings in wisdom and compassion:
we turn our faces to you in hope and assurance.
May we gather together in love
within the mighty branches of your truth and grace,
and make our home before your alabaster altar
like a sparrow building her nest in safety.
May we extol the beauty of your works, Lord,
greeting each moment with joyful melody,
swooping and trilling our praise
within your cathedral of creation.
Give us wings of faith, Blessed Savior,
to lift our thoughts and desires always to You, Almighty One,
that we may seek Your will with joy
through sunshine or storm,
knowing You are ever beside us
as we pray.
Amen.
(Inspired by Psalm 84:1-4)
Photo from Youtube.
