Praise Song at Dawn: Speaking to the Soul for September 1, 2022

Loving Creator,
we rise from our rest to sing your praise,
joining the world You have made holy
through your hands, O God.

The coyotes are back in their dens,
after antagonizing the farm dogs all night;
the barred owls have paused their conversation
under the lacy veil of heaven at sun rise;
katydid, tree frog, and cricket have raised their song
and filled the night with the throb of their praise:
now it is time for us to lift our hearts
and join in the love song of the Earth for our Maker.

Almighty One, this moment is your gift to us, too:
let us use it to center ourselves in your grace.
Let us in our prayer give thanks
for all your blessings to us,
especially this fragile Earth:
may we seek to mend and heal
the frayed cords that bind us to all creation,
and see with new eyes the beauty and completeness
in a drop of rain or sparkle of dew.

The Earth beneath our feet
is your gift to all that lives,
to animal, tree, and stream: all creation is holy.
May we care for each other with tenderness and unity,
walking in the healing path that Jesus invites us to follow.
Tune our hearts to always hear
the echo of our Savior’s laughter and empathy
through the air that still carries the imprint
of his breath and blessing.

Spirit of the Living God,
spread your wings over us
that we may be strengthened to joyfully greet this day,
and grant your peace to all for whom we pray.

Amen.


-- Leslie Barnes Scoopmire. This was first published at Episcopal Journal's Speaking to the Soul on September 1, 2022.

Prayer, day 2832

I will praise You, O God, with my first thought

as morning joy bids me to rise.
The stars sing out your praises;
their song resonates
even beyond the blue veil of day.
Your love is the foundation of the earth;
all creation rests within your embrace, O Steadfast One.

Our longing hearts turn to You:
Your Word is a lamp for our feet,
showing us the way home,
the way of peace and justice.

We thirst for your wisdom, O Redeemer:
pour out your Spirit within us,
heal and refresh us by your grace.

Let us answer your harvest call, Lord Christ,
and like workers at the harvest
ear your abundant peace into the hungry world.

May the mantle of your goodness envelop us,
O Holy One,
and all those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2020

Most Merciful God,
we rise to greet this day You have made,
hearing the praise song of creation
testify to your glory.
May we echo that praise in every moment,
from our rising to our resting,
and bear witness to your Love.

We thank You for your manifold blessings,
especially your fellowship of saints and companions
who guide us in wisdom.
Set our feet firmly
in the paths of peace and compassion,
O Holy One,
and help us to love unreservedly
as Jesus taught us.
May your Spirit descend upon us like a cloud,
that our tongues may tell out your wonders,
O Earth-maker.

God of Compassion,
bend near to all who seek You,
and envelop all who call upon You with hope
as we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2765: Praise Song for a Late Summer Morning

Almighty God,
we raise our hearts to You
in hope and trust.

Blessings upon this day,
the filigree of sun and shadow
fashioned at the hands of God,
maker of heaven and earth and all stars!
From the sacred, holy darkness
you have watched over us as we slumbered:
You call us to wakefulness
and engagement with the needs of the world.

Bread of Life,
who came down from heaven
to nourish us, body and soul,
create in us wide-open hearts,
eager to be filled with light and love.
Your way, O Savior,
is the way of hopefulness,
and you call us to love unfeignedly,
seeing your thumbprint and mark
in each and every soul.

Spirit of God,
kindle your flame within us,
and extend the awning of your mercy
over all whose needs we raise before you.

Amen.

Prayer 2515

Great Spirit, 
we rise to sing your praise
and ask your blessing upon this day.

Give us tomorrow's bread today,
O God of Abundance;
plant within our hearts
a hunger for wisdom
and a thirst for justice.
Strengthen us to stand
with the oppressed,
the discounted,
and the pushed-aside,
O Holy One,
that we may overturn
the thrones of corruption.

May we stand alongside each other 
in peace and contentment,
Blessed Jesus, 
triving only for your kingdom
come among us as a little child
to call us into new life and hope.

At day's end, 
may the blanket of night soothe us,
and may we rest securely in your embrace,
O Most High.
Grant your benediction
upon all those who seek You,
and rest your healing hand
upon all whose hearts are heavy or troubled, as we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2354

Merciful One,
You created us for praise
and bless us with your love:
how can we keep from singing?
We lift our restless hearts to You, O God,
for You are our home and our protector.
Fill us to overflowing
with your abundant grace and mercy,
that we may burn bright with your glory 
and be blessings to those we meet today.
May we keep our feet firmly
in the path of your lovingkindness today, Lord Jesus:
gentle us and strengthen us in holiness and forbearance.
May we be just as thankful at our lying down
as we are at our rising, O Spirit of the Living God,
marveling at the richness of your care.
Grant your pardon for all our offenses,
give us courage to speak truth to power,
and pour out your peace over those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 2312

Almighty One, we praise You:
your hand has rested upon us during the night,
and even in our waking moments
our hearts turn to you, O God.

Blessed Savior,
You are our companion and guide.
Awaken within us
a spirit of justice and fellowship with the oppressed.
Awaken within us
a spirit of integrity and holiness
as we live by your ethic of reconciling love for all.
Awaken within us
a spirit of wisdom and compassion
for those who seek You through us.

Merciful God,
we ask your strong arm of protection
to be placed over all in danger from storms,
storms within or storms without,
and grant your peace to all whose hope is in You.
Hear the whispered prayers of your people
as they rise to You on wings of hope,
especially as we pray for these beloveds.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2127

Early in the morning
we lift our hearts to You,
O Wondrous Light:
come, let us add our song
to the wakening Earth's.
Before your radiant goodness
we bow, O Holy One:
may our voices ever sing your praise!
You have laid our your paths before us:
may we ever keep our feet within your way,
that we may worship You in all things.

Lord Jesus,
You lead us with gentleness and truth:
teach us to ever serve You
and one another
with joy.
Make us
a compassionate, faithful people,
living into your gospel of love and faithful action,
we humbly pray, O Lord.
Help us to renounce
the fears and failings that lead into darkness,
and claim our place
within the Beloved Community.

Gather our prayers into your keeping,
O God,
and and bless and keep those whose hope is in You.

Amen.

Prayer 2124

God of Mercy, God of Love,
we turn our faces to the rising sun
and tune our ears to the sound of creation
praising You with the stars and the birds.

Help us to choose to walk in the Way of Jesus,
that compassion may spring up in our wake
and kindness make the winter hearts we encounter
bloom like a spring meadow.
Let our lives sing out God's lovingkindness
and all we do proclaim the gospel of love and abundant grace.

Spirit of the Living God,
sustain us by your blessing of peace,
and grant your comfort and healing to those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2095

Lord Jesus, we place all of our being--
hearts, hopes and our very breath--
securely within your care,
rejoicing in the dawn.
You have watched us through the velvet darkness:
abide with us as we carry our love for you into the world.

The sparrow sings from the rooftop:
let us sing out our thanks and praise forever,
and witness to your light in our lives.
Lord God, guide us into paths of peace and reconciliation:
gentle our hearts,
and bring us to unity in You.

Holy One, Merciful and Steadfast,
place your healing hands upon our cares and sorrows,
our pains and burdens.
Even in the busyness of our day
let us remember that You tenderly envelop us in love
for the love of the entire world.
Lord, we lay our intercessions before You as a priestly people:
bless and keep us, and those for whom we pray.

Amen.
1330

Prayer 2082

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord,
gathered within your embrace
we arise to greet the beauty of this day,
eager to walk in love and faithfulness,
led by the light, grace, and reconciling example of Christ.
Almighty Creator,
You have woven the night sky and morning clouds
into a tapesty of beauty,
reminding us of your promise of faithfulness--
You who call the stars by name
and have inscibed each of us on your hand.
Sustain us with your word, Blessed Jesus,
that our hearts be transformed in love and compassion,
that we tenderly care for each other
in witness to all You have done for us.
Renew us, O Holy Spirit,
in generosity and lovingkindness,
that we may see and know our mutual dependence
as one body, one spirit, one creation.
Merciful One, pour out your grace and healing
upon all for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2058: Song of Joy in Creation

Arise, O my soul, and worship the Lord,
Creator, Redeemer, Life-Giver,
our rock and sure foundation.

Let me join my voice with the morning stars
whose song resounds even behind the blue curtain of sky
to give you praise, O Creating God,
and marvel in the wonders of your handiwork.
It is You, O Holy One,
who inscibes the melody of life within our hearts,
a cadence of blessing that thrums in our veins,
and calls us to proclaim your glory with every thought
and your lovingkindness with the gift of every breath.

At twilight, when one day tells its tale to another yet to be,
let my account be one of compassion and grace,
of walking in faith in the shared light of hope
in beloved communion and companionship
with Christ and with each other.

Spirit of the Living God,
consecrate us to your service and witness today.
Blessed Jesus, extend the awning of your mercy
to those disquieted in body, mind, or spirit,
and place the kiss of your benediction
upon those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer, day 1925: Morning praise

Almighty God,
your glory fills the eastern skies
as we rise to take up our lives in You.

Let us clothe ourselves in obedience to your greatest commandment,
which is to love each other.
We turn our eyes, hearts, and hands to you
as we gather before you in prayer.

We thank you, praise you, and bless you
as the source of our strength and wellspring of our hope.

Help us to draw upon your love
as we move through the arc of this day
and tend to your creation with care.

We ask your blessing upon those for whom we pray this day.

Amen.
112

Prayer 1896: Friday of Easter Week

Almighty God, with our waking breath
we center our thoughts to praise You:
may our prayers ascend with the rising light.

Help us remember that You formed us
to walk in integrity and compassion,
with Christ as our bridge, to live a God-shaped life.
Help us lift up the weary,
give comfort to the struggling,
and stand with the oppressed.
Help us draw the world to You through our rejoicing,
radiating God's love with joy and hopefulness,
extolling God's mercy and healing in our lives.

Spirit of Truth, make your home within us,
that we may testify with power
that we have been redeemed and formed
through the love of our Savior.

Lord, all we are we offer to You:
consecrate us to your service today,
and pour out your blessing over those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 1803: The Tenth Day of Christmas

Creator God,
we lift our praises to You,
our hearts robed in gladness.

As the wind caresses the sleeping Earth,
and the littlest birds sing their hearts to You,
may we hear your voice, Lord,
in the space between songs
and know peace and contentment.
May we pause and wonder
at your never-failing love, O Merciful One,
marveling at the blessings you spread before us,
and make every breath a prayer of thanks.

In your great mercy,
hold us in the hollow of your hands,
Blessed Savior, Our Rock,
and set us upon the path of wisdom.
Heal us, Lord Christ, by the power of your love,
and refresh our souls by your grace,
giving rest to the weary,
and comfort to the troubled,
as we pray in your Name.

Amen.

Prayer 1799: Sixth Day of Christmas

Almighty God,
our song is to You
from our rising to our resting:
center us now within your presence,
and guide us in all our steps today.

Tune our hearts to the melody of your truth, O Blessed Jesus,
that we may show forth your mercy
and embody your light and compassion.
Pour out a spirit of reconciliation and concord over us,
that we may bind up the broken-hearted
and turn aside from division and rancor.

Shepherd of Our Souls,
strengthen us in goodness
and lead us into verdant valleys
of peace and contentment,
enlightenment and hope.
Shine the light of your countenance, O God,
over all who make their prayer to you.

Amen.

Prayer 1767: Abundant gratitude

Youth during worship at the Episcopal Youth Event, 2014.

Almighty God,
we rise from our rest to the call of your love:
may we ever ground ourselves in joyful praise!

Let us fasten our spirits on your glory, O God,
awed and amazed by your precious love, O Savior!

Let there not be leanness in our souls, O Lord:
make us instead overflow with gratitude and praise!

May we walk as your companions and servants
in imitation of your love and wisdom, Lord Christ,
and abide and serve within the family of God.

Blessed Jesus, we place our hearts within your hands today,
trusting in your abundant love and grace.

Spirit of Love and Healing,
we remember before You our joys and blessings,
and place before You our cares and concerns.

Amen.

Prayer 1739: in the way of grace and hope

Beloved Savior,
rest your hand of blessing upon us today,
and lead us in the way of grace and hope.

Help us join in the wonder and awe
of the trill of the sparrow at dawn
as she sings her praises to You, O Creator.

Give us gentle hands, Lord Christ,
as we reach out to each other,
and tend to the delicate work
of reconciliation and healing.

Help us to leap free
from the gravity of resentment
and the weight of pride
to stand upright and joyful before You, O God.

Give us rest at day's end, O Spirit,
and guard us as we sleep,
that as we surface between dreams,
we sigh our thanks and dive deep again.

Gather into Your embrace
all your children, and bless them,
cradling those whose cares and hopes
we lay before You.

Amen.

Prayer 1408

Morning light gilds the grasses.

Early in the morning
we lift our hearts to You,
O Wondrous Light:
come, let us add our song
to the wakening Earth's.
Before your radiant goodness
we bow, O Holy One:
may our voices ever sing your praise!
You have laid our your paths before us:
may we ever keep our feet within your way,
that we may worship You in all things.

Lord Jesus,
You lead us with gentleness and truth:
teach us to ever serve You
and one another
with joy.
Make us
a compassionate, faithful people,
living into your gospel of love and faithful action,
we humbly pray, O Lord.
Help us to renounce
the fears and failings that lead into darkness,
and claim our place
within the Beloved Community.

Gather our prayers into your keeping,
O God,
and and bless and keep those whose hope is in You.

Amen.

Prayer 1372- for discernment

A bend in the path- Babler State Park, Wildwood, MO.

Come, let us rise up, and offer thanks and praise to God, who is making the heavens and the earth! 
Loving Savior, take our all we offer to You, for in your mercy you have redeemed us to live in love and in peace. 
Your love, O God, is sweeter than honey: inscribe our hearts with your compassion, that we may always walk in your light. 

May we turn our hands to work that glorifies your Name, O Lord, and turn our hearts to living in love and faithfulness. 
Inspire us to witness in thought, word, and deed to a seeking world, testifying to your goodness and love. 
Look with favor on all your people, O Holy One, and bless and keep within your embrace all those for whom we pray.

Amen.