Benedicite Missouri: Speaking to the Soul, November 10, 2022

All praise and blessing to our Creator,
   who tenderly shapes and sustains us:
O praise and glorify our God
   whose love tenderly nourishes us forever!

You constellations, meteor showers, and galaxies; sun and moon and clouds,
Sparkling Milky Way dancing overhead in velvet night:
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Father of Waters, rivers and streams, prairie, glade, and grassland,
Wetlands and forest, karst and cavern, limestone and chert:
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Shortleaf pine, pawpaw and hickory, canoe birch and cypress,
Redbud and dogwood blazing pink and white in spring joy:
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Sweet flag and cranesbill; brittle and crested shield ferns,
Dogtooth and birdsfoot violets carpeting the ground in beauty:
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Big Bluestem, foxglove and bluebells nodding in wind-kissed woods,
Little star moss, chantarelles and morels hidden like treasure underfoot:
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Sapsuckers and screech owls, kestrels and turkey vultures tracing the sky,
Waxwings in cedars, indigo buntings flashing electric blue:
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Swallowtails and monarchs, tiger moths and sulphurs warming your wings in sunlight,
Commas and fritillaries nectaring in coneflower fields, bats wheeling at dusk:
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Crayfish and mussel; painted mudbug, hellbender and harlequin darter shyly hiding,
Bluegill and bowfin; mudpuppy and milksnake; spring peeper and bullfrog dueting:
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Bobcat and coyote; mink, muskrat, and red-eared slider in sheltering riverbank,
Red fox and opossum, white-tailed deer leaping ravines:
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Children of the Middle Waters, Illiniwek, O-Gah-Pah, Jiwere, and Nutachi,
Farmers and businesspeople; parents and children; kindred united in this beautiful land
give to your Creator your thanks and praise.

Let all who breathe and live and turn their faces to the sun bless our Creator,
   Whose wisdom weaves us together as one family,
Joined together in mutual gratitude and sustenance:
   O praise and glorify our God
   whose love tenderly nourishes us forever!

This was first published at Episcopal Journal and Cafe's Speaking to the Soul, November 10, 2022.

A Prayer of Praise for Creation: Speaking to the Soul, October 14, 2021

God of the Honey Bee,
God of the Lark,
God of the Aspen Grove,
we join with all your creatures
in a chorus of praise and worship.
We are upheld by your almighty hand;
all that we have and are is yours,
and we bow in gratitude before you.

May we echo the humble thanksgiving
sung out by cicada and tree frog,
who praise You and your provision without ceasing.

May we find delight in the labor you set before us,
as the hummingbird does.

May we lift our arms to you in praise
like the oak as it stretches skyward.
May we constantly sing your praises
like the wind that weaves through pine-needle
and sets them to resonating in joy.

May we open our hearts to your guidance
for our own sake and the sake of the world,
led by wisdom of the Spirit of Truth,
enlightened by the example of the Prince of Peace,
rooted deep in the verdant garden of the God of Life.

Holy Trinity, One God,
envelop us in your mercy and grace this day,
and place the kiss of your blessing
upon those for whom we pray.

Amen.

This was first published at Episcopal Cafe's Speaking to the Soul on October 14, 2021.

Prayer 3039: Spring Rhapsody

God of the Honey Bee,
God of the Lark,
God of the Aspen Grove,
we join with all your creatures
in a chorus of praise and worship.
We are upheld by your almighty hand;
all that we have and are is yours,
and we bow in gratitude before you.

May we echo the humble thanksgiving
sung out by cicada and tree frog,
who praise You and your provision without ceasing.
May we find delight in the labor you set before us,
as the hummingbird does.
May we lift our arms to you in praise
like the oak as it stretches skyward.
May we constantly sing your praises
like the wind that weaves through pine-needle
and sets them to resonating in joy.

May we open our hearts to your guidance
for our own sake and the sake of the world,
led by wisdom of the Spirit of Truth,
enlightened by the example of the Prince of Peace,
rooted deep in the verdant garden of the God of Life.

Holy Trinity, One God,
envelop us in your mercy and grace this day,
and place the kiss of your blessing
upon those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer, Day 3007: For Earth Day

Creator of the Universe,
who is making Heaven and Earth,
let all that lives tell out your glory.

Rocks and hills,
ocean depths and craggy peaks,
the wind that caresses them,
all join to sing out your Holy Name.

You planted your holy song, O Lord,
in laughing brook and rambling river
fed by rain before time.

Murmuring grass and field of wheat
whisper “Alleluia!”
as the beauty of the Lord passes by.

Thunder and rain, summer sun and shadow
work together with soil and seed
to prepare a table in the wilderness by your will.

The works of your Hand, O Mighty One,
testify to your steadfast kindness and mercy:
You crown all you see as good.

Forgive us for our trespasses against each other,
and against the Earth, our mother,
for seeking to hoard her riches
and denying her integrity.

May we walk gently upon this Earth,
that bears us like a chariot through space,
upheld by your wondrous Love.

May we care for all creation,
being dedicated and blessed by You,
called to serve its renewal and guard its unity.

By the power of the Holy Spirit,
she that moved over the waters of creation,
the waters of birth and life,
renew and recreate in us
a reverence for the Earth and all her inhabitants.

Lord Christ, center us in your wisdom,
and pour out your healing
over all we remember before You.

Amen.

Prayer, day 3005

Our praises rise before you,

O God Most High;
Our prayers rise unto You,
O Redeemer, Our Lord Jesus Christ;
Our fears we lay before you,
O Holy and Eternal Abba, Father and Mother.
Our hopes we breathe in from your Eternal Love,
O Savior;
Our resilience we draw from you,
Abiding Holy Spirit,
who lifts us and prepares us for our work in your kingdom today.
O Creator,
we turn into your embrace for solace and strength,
and lay before you those needs for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2928

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, day 2862

Great is our God, and greatly to be praised: 

God's mercy is everlasting!

You welcome us into Your embrace, O God,
and there we take our rest and find new strength.

You number the stars and comfort our sorrows,
knowing us all by name.

You teach the sparrow its song
and fill our hearts with thanksgiving;
all creation sings its praise of Your goodness.

Let us abide with You in this moment, O Loving One:
Your love envelops us now and forever
as we lift up our intercessions
before your gracious countenance and pray.


Amen.

Prayer, day 2833

Great is our God, and greatly to be praised:
God's mercy is everlasting!

You welcome us into Your embrace, O God,
and there we take our rest and find new strength.

You number the stars and comfort our sorrows,
knowing us all by name.

You teach the sparrow its song
and fill our hearts with thanksgiving;
all creation sings its praise of Your goodness.

Let us abide with You in this moment, O Loving One:
Your love envelops us now and forever
as we lift up our intercessions
before your gracious countenance and pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2544: Inspired by Psalm 18:1

O Lord our Strength,
gather us within the boundaries of your mercy
as we lift our hearts to You in praise and wonder.

You are our stronghold
when tempests rage
and the earth shifts beneath us.

You are our crag
that lifts us above the fog of fear and denial:
from the vantage of your love, O God,
we see the way of abundance and hope
spread before us like a broad and verdant plain.

You are our haven,
and we gather in safety around your altar
with a song of joyous thanksgiving
inscribed on the lintels of our hearts.

May we cast aside all that separates us
and join together in worshiping you with our whole being
upon this holy Earth your hands are forming,
May we be like sapling trees,
rooted and nourished in your truth,
stretching heavenward to be warmed by your wisdom
blazing bright like the midday sun.

Cast your mantle over us,
O Savior and Redeemer,
that we may extend your compassion and healing
to all whom we encounter.

Bend near, O Spirit of Tenderness and Mercy,
drawing all those for whom we pray
into the circle of your comfort.

Amen.

Prayer 2541: Devotion and Gratitude

O God My Glory,
O God of the Everlasting Hills and Light of the Heavens, 
I lift my heart to You
in wonder at your unfailing love.

I give You thanks,
O Giver of Life to All,
for your goodness and mercy
stretched over my head like a canopy of stars.
I join my praise to the heavenly throng,
and meditate upon all your wonders and blessings. 

One thing do I seek this day:
to walk in humble devotion by your guidance,
O Holy One, O Lord of Life,
seeking to be an instrument in your hand,
a blessing to all I meet.

Make me steadfast in resisting evil
and those in its thrall,
and wise in the ways of the faithful,
that I may praise you, O God of Grace
 and show forth your love in all my pathways.

Grant your peace, O Abundant One,
upon all who seek You and your sheltering arms,
and let your blessing rest upon these loved ones for whom we pray,
precious in your sight.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2481

Wondrous Creator,
all that is has been hallowed
and shaped by your loving hand:
help us to see the wisdom and beauty
You have woven into the fabric of creation,
and knit into the bones of all living beings,
from rock and tree to stranger and friend.
We are tiny seedlings seeking your light,
O Holy and Blessed Maker:
make us mighty redwoods in the grove off your kingdom,
interconnected at our roots by love and faithfulness.
Help us to grow upright with integrity, Blessed Savior,
generously giving comfort to others
like the cool shade of a glade at noonday.
Lead us, O Spirit of God,
to stretch our arms ever toward each other,
and to be a blessing for the world.
Grant your mercy, O God,
on all the concerns we bear in our hearts,
and grant your peace to those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2472: Prayer in the beauty of dawn

O Lord Our Shepherd,
we rise to greet you in prayer,
grateful for your lovingkindness and mercy. 

The dawn spreads before us,
O Fashioner of Light,
and tells of your hand supporting us
throughout the night watches.

Forgive us our willfulness,
and the stubborn sins in which we wallow,
O One Who Knows, 
for we grieve the hurts we have caused.

Renew our hearts and spirits, Blessed Savior,
that we may cling to your law
and walk in the Way of Love always.
Grant us the courage
to work for the abundance of peace
that is the inheritance of those
who pull up the weeds of anger, malice, and greed,
that we may tend to the flourishing
of all living things
in the name of God,
our Creator and Redeemer. 

By the power of the Holy Spirit,
keep us as the apple of your eye today,
O Light of Our Hearts,
and grant your blessing and restoration
upon all for whom we pray.

Amen.


Photo: Dawn this morning, November 6, 2019. The heavens are telling the glory of God.

Prayer 2470: A song of praise throughout the day

O God who sustains me all my days, 
and nourishes my spirit with your steadfast love, 
hear my prayer in the morning light. 
Each hour I will proclaim your goodness 
and marvel at the intricate works of your hand, 
arrayed before my wondering eyes. 

Forgive my offenses, O Merciful One, 
and take me by the hand to lead me. 

Accept my humble praises 
before your glorious dawn, 
guide my feet at noonday's crest, 
and enfold my cares when I lay down to sleep. 
Even in the velvet dark I will rejoice 
at your hand upon the crown of my head, 
at your mercy and grace under which I rest. 

Watch over all who seek You, 
O God Who Sees, 
and send your angels to tend to those 
whose hopes rest in You, as we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2391

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.

Prayer 2322: God of the Rising Wave

(Scotland, day 8 )
God of the Rising Wave,
who is creating the heavens and the Earth,
who is stirring up our souls
with the power of the Holy Spirit,
we praise You and we bless You.

We pause and remember
the steadfast love with which You hold us,
in sun and in rain,
in light and in shadow;
there is no turning away from your goodness,
O Lover of Our Souls.

Bend your ears
to hear our whispered entreaties, Blessed Jesus,
to seek and find you in the depths of our being,
that we may serve each other
as friends and companions,
drawn into the holy dance of the Trinity
to the glory of your name.

By the power of the Holy Spirit,
draw all those who seek you
under the lea of your wing, O Holy One,
especially those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2308

We praise You, O Living Word of God,
who healed with just a word;
We praise You, O Wisdom from on high,
whose call to us resounds with love and tenderness.

Holy One, may we center our minds
that we can see your imprint throughout the world,
and respond with awe and wonder,
revived in our determination to serve you in love
and to care for your creation.

Let us remember that we are knit together
by your love for us,
and deal gently with those we meet,
seeing your beloved face, O Christ,
in each other.

Spirit of God, stir up within us
faith and hope enough
to walk in love always,
scattering blessings in our wake
in the name of Jesus.
Spread wide the tent of your mercy, O God,
and draw beneath it all those
who turn to you as we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2286: A Prayer of Trust in Memory of Wayne Moseman

Lord of Light, Lord of Love,
to You I lift my hopes,
and with the eyes of my heart
I wonder at the glory of your creation.

My spirit feels the imprint
of your guiding, strengthening hand, O Holy One;
your love is a comfortable weight upon my shoulders,
and your wisdom is a lamp that allows my steps to be sure.

You are my strength and my respite, Blessed Savior,
as you call me to faithfulness, integrity, and compassion,
that your truth may be revealed in all the world.

I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that You envelop me in loving-kindness
even when I rest in the gates of sleep.

God of Mercy,
you know the cares and concerns of our hearts:
pour out your mercy and benediction
over all who ache, or weep,
over all who are tossed about by anxiety or discord,
especially for those whom we lift before You
as we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2280

Most Holy God,
who has upheld us by your hand
throughout our resting and our waking,
we offer our praises and prayers to You,
trusting in your goodness and tender love.

Our hearts sing with joy
amidst the susurus of pine
and the basso chorus of oak and maple boughs
resounding upon the warming breeze;
all things have their origin in You, O God,
and they are sustained by your delight.

Give us the empathy to see your face
in every face we encounter, Lord Christ,
and the courage to love each other
as you entreated us to do.

Strengthen us in a spirit of wisdom and charity,
that we may walk in integrity and holiness
wherever our paths take us this day.
Draw us into your embrace, Blessed Jesus,
and bestow your peace and relief
to those whose hope rests in You.

Amen.

Prayer 2278

Almighty God,
your hand has upheld us
through the watches of the night:
we lift up our hearts in gratitude and praise!

Bring us to unity,
founded on true justice,
that we may testify to your presence
within our hearts and minds,
Blessed Jesus.

Refresh and restore our spirits, O Holy One,
and bring us to live joyfully
our resurrected life in You, Lord Christ.

By the power of the Holy Spirit,
strengthen us in mercy and lovingkindness,
O Creator and Redeemer,
and grant your peace and ease to those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2277

Most Holy God, we praise you,
and place our hearts within your care.
Let us rise and bless our God,
who upholds us and protects us,
full of compassion and mercy.

Lord Jesus Christ,
arise in our hearts and fill us with joy,
that we may live out a resurrection faith in the world.
Let us sing out our awe and wonder
for the healing work you have done in our lives,
for the honor of living out your gospel in the world!

Spirit of the Living God,
kindle within us a spirit of lovingkindness,
that we may witness to the life-giving love of the Trinity.
Holy One, bend near
to hear the whispered prayers and praises we offer You,
and grant your peace to those for whom we pray.

Amen.