Morning by Morning New Mercies: Speaking to the Soul, February 3, 2022

Lamentations 3: 22-25

I’m not much of a lass for winter. I love warm, long, sunny days, walking barefoot especially on the earth, the sound of leaves rustling in the breeze, bullfrogs croaking in the pond. And I am buoyed by the fact that in 40 days, the sun will set at 7 pm. As it should be.

But here we are at winter’s midpoint, and Tuesday started out mild, but we knew what was coming—and by today there was an inch of ice followed by four or so inches of snow on the ground. And when the dogs whined at the bedroom door before dawn, we knew they were excited to get out and make some tracks, chase some unfortunate squirrels, hurling themselves headlong into the brush. Finnegan, the black Thunder Twin especially goes zipping along like one of those bouncing balls in the old movie sing-a-longs, running a couple of strides and then flying 15 feet through the air as his stockier sister Dakota struggles to keep up with a sideways lope that reminds me of a college friend’s old tan Volvo with a ruined rear differential and a bent frame—her front feet heading to the north, and her back feet slightly aligned to the north-north-east. Their older brother Kobe trots stiffly out into the deep woods to do what needs to be done and get the heck back in the house—he and I understand each other.

Standing in puffy coat, ivy cap, sweatpants and wellington boots, I realize we all probably look quite a sight were there anyone but some annoyed wildlife to see us. But once the dogs zoom temporarily around the house, the quiet slides like a curtain softly back into place. 

Dawn begins to break to the east, and I notice a large shape move into the trees above me, absolutely silently—and I see the dim silhouette of one of the three barred owls that we can often hear calling back and forth from ridge to grove to pond’s edge. The sound of the snow sizzling to the ground is actually louder than this large bird alighting delicately into the naked crown of a tree. I watch it swiveling its head for a few seconds, and then without so much as disturbing a branch it suddenly flings itself downward and and snaps open its sail-like wings with military efficiency, and disappears from view.

And at that moment, these words sing in my inner ear:

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest--
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love!
Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see!
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me.

Mercy upon grace upon faithfulness swirl with the snowflakes that dance overhead amid the pinwheel of wingtip vortices still unspooling in the air from that one snap of wings—the one reminder that the owl had ever been there. The snowflakes then slide languidly again toward the drift under the cypress tree, but the sense of peace lingers long.

It is as if the Holy Spirit hangs lovingly overhead, gazing in all directions in protection and care. All that I need in this moment is right here: peace and beauty and the mercy of a fresh snow making all things new in this moment. And I might have missed it. If I had not been here to witness it, the miracle of this brake of trees and this ghostly brown apparition sailing silently into the flickering half-light, I would not now be singing into the dawn the praises of our ever-faithful God, our portion and our hope. Let this memory be always a blessing.

This was first published at Episcopal Cafe's Speaking to the Soul on February 3, 2022.

Prayer 3243: On the Winter Solstice

Most Holy Wisdom,
we center our beings within you,
in gratitude,
in praise,
in openness:
teach us your truths
and lead us into your holy road.

Come into our hearts, O Light of Compassion,
as Earth rises from slumber
on this longest night of the year.
Let this be for us a time of dreaming
that we may align our spirits
with your vision of justice, O God of Mercy.

Let us gather our strength in anticipation
of rising from this long night
dedicated anew to your dream
of peace for all,
of a creation unified in praise and community,
of kinship celebrated and treasured.

May we turn our faces to a new dawn
and take up the lamps that You offer us, Lord Christ,
that we may offer light
to those who dwell in despair and darkness.

Spirit of the Living God,
alight on us as gently as a winter's dawn,
and set our hearts ablaze with love and thankfulness
as we lift up our prayers and intercessions before You,
who are beloved in your sight.

With humble hearts and steadfast lovingkindness, we pray.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2564

O God, You cover the earth in snow like a blanket:
cover us with your wing as the storms pass,
both within and without.
The earth rests beneath the snow,
gathering itself to burst forth in new life:
enliven our spirits to take up our work
in your kingdom.

Let us make each moment of our lives
a worthy oblation to You,
O Source of All Beauty. 
Make us grateful for our friends,
and never take for granted their love or generosity to us. 
Let us be loving, yet bold,
in seeking justice and compassion for all;
for You, O God, are patient and merciful to us. 

Let us assess and correct our own flaws
before we dare to judge
our brothers and sisters who are struggling.
Let us be generous
with our time, talent, and treasure
in your service,
for we know that all we have comes from You. 

Preserve all those who protect us today,
especially first responders, nurses, and doctors.
Bring them all safely home to their loved ones
at the end of day, and protect them from cold or danger. 

Shield the joyous and comfort the afflicted, 
O Loving One,
and rest your hand upon those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 2514

Light of Our Hearts,
in joy we praise you,
and draw near to seek your wisdom.

Forgive us our failures of faith,
O God Who Sees,
and break open our frozen hearts
that they may be warmed and restored
by the hearth of your mercy and grace.
Beloved Jesus, take our hands,
consecrate our intentions,
and hallow our hearts by your love,
then send us out to do your will.

Wonderful Teacher,
renew our spirits to walk in love,
to live in compassion and awareness,
to work for the healing of the world.
Spirit of the Living God,
envelop the hurting within your peace,
and watch over those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 2513

Merciful, Loving God, 
we turn to you in gratitude 
for bringing us through the shades of night, 
and for the gift of this new day. 

We pray for those exposed to the cold, 
human and animal alike, 
for those who lack adequate housing,
for those who lack warm food,
and for those who work in all weather.
Your eye is on the sparrow, O God of Creation; 
may we follow in your Way of Empathy.

Help us to show our gratitude
by sharing what we have,
and by caring for those we meet
in recognition of our common bonds,
each a beloved child or creature of God.

Grant your blessing, O Savior,
upon all who work or watch or weep this day,
and gather around the hearth of your mercy
all those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2478

O God, look with favor upon your servants today.

Let us turn our hearts toward those who,
in the midst of plenty,
are in want in body or soul.
Let us hunger for justice and redemption
as much as we hunger for food.
Let us remember how love has blessed us in our lives,
and let go of discontent and rancor.

Help us to stop building a mountain of our resentments,
and dwell instead within the mansion of our blessings.

Give your protection
to those who are in danger from the cold this day,
and let us work to give them shelter as our own.
Comfort those whose needs we bring before You.

Amen.

Prayer 2223

Holy One,
we breathe in your peace,
and center ourselves within your grace.

Awaken us from our winter slumber
and guide us into a burgeoning wisdom,
that we may be the hands and feet of Christ.

Melt the icy grip of fear and division
within our communities, Blessed Savior,
that we may sink our roots deep
into greening fields of justice and peace.

Abundant Light, shine within us,
that we may reveal your glory
in praise of your wondrous works,
that we may be your joyful servants.

By the power of the Holy Spirit,
pour out your blessing upon us,
and upon all for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2204

O God,
thank you for bringing us in safety to this day,
whether it holds sunshine or snow,
for both are blessings from You.

Open our lips to proclaim your praise;
our hearts to enshrine your Love;
our minds to receive your Word.

Create in us clean hearts,
and renew our spirits to do your work.
Bless and consecrate us this day
to go forth into the world
bearing your message of justice and peace.

We turn to You in joy and sorrow,
hope and anxiety,
for you sustain us always
with your bountiful Spirit.

Uphold your servants who call upon you
in their cares and concerns,
especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 2203: Praise song for a Bright Winter Day

As morning light gilds the heavens,
drawing an azure veil over the dancing stars,
we praise you, O God.

As noonday sun makes shadows disappear,
we think of your steadfast love beside us,
through whatever may come,
and we praise you, O God.

Though winter chill abides with us still,
we hear the whispered promise of spring
as the dry branches murmur their secret
of abundant green life rising, surging,
deep within their veins,
and we wonder in awe of your mysteries,
O Lord of Creation.

As evening sets the sky alight,
catching fire to the wingtips of darting sparrows
whose trills of joy stir an echo of hope
even within the winter heart,
we remember your tender care, O Holy One,
your watchful eye on the smallest creature,
and we praise your steadfast lovingkindness.

Even as the shoulder of Earth
turns toward night with a sigh,
like a sleeper settling deeper into dreams,
so we too rest secure, Blessed Savior,
within the bounds of your mercy,
and ask for your healing hand
to rest upon the brow of all for whom we pray
by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2175

O God, look with favor upon your servants today.

Let us turn our hearts toward those who,
in the midst of plenty,
are in want in body or soul.
Let us hunger for justice and redemption
as much as we hunger for food.
Let us remember how love has blessed us in our lives,
and let go of discontent and rancor.

Help us to stop building a mountain of our resentments,
and dwell instead within the mansion of our blessings.

Give your protection
to those who are in danger from the cold this day,
and let us work to give them shelter as our own.
Comfort those whose needs we bring before You.

Amen.

Prayer, day 2141

As the Earth is called from her slumber, O God,
we hear your call to us: 
let us sing out our praise to the Most High!

Holy One, we have wandered from your paths
and abused each other
and your love:
forgive, Lord, forgive.

Your glory, O God,
fills the world in golden dawn,
in crimson close,
in velvet dark.
Astounded by your grace,
led by the star of your wisdom,
You lead us into a broad green land of plenty.

Give us strength to act for love's sake
in all things.
May we raise our spirits above
the clanging noise of fear-filled striving
and embrace your mercy and peace.

May we tend to those in any need,
remembering your abundant love that sustains us.
Comfort the weary and hurting,
the sick and the suffering,
Lord Christ,
and grant your peace to those we now name.

Amen.
1424

Prayer, day 1832

Loving One, You are our strength and our savior,
and we praise You from the depths of our souls. 

O God, be our refuge and our shelter,
our proof against the chill wind of anxiety and trial.
Give a thirst for justice to your people,
that we may remember the love we owe You and each other.
Set us high upon the rock of compassion;
with your right Hand cover us
from the blast of cruelty and hardness of heart.
Help us to open our hearts to You and your gospel,
longing at all times to be guided by your Love. 

Incline your ear to hear us, O Holy One,
and look with favor upon those whose needs we bring before You.

Amen.
745

Prayer, day 1404

The grasses die back as winter approaches, but remind us of the enduring hope of new life and growth.

O God, look with favor upon your servants today.
Let us turn our hearts toward those who,
in the midst of plenty,
are in want in body or soul.
Let us hunger for justice and redemption
as much as we hunger for food.
Let us remember
how love has blessed us in our lives,
and let go of discontent and rancor.
Help us to stop building a mountain of our resentments,
and dwell instead within the mansion of our blessings.

Give your protection
to those who are in danger from the cold this day,
and let us work to give them shelter as our own.
Comfort those whose needs we bring before You.

Amen.
311

Prayer 1082

Almighty God, You are our God, and we give thanks for your boundless grace and kindness. 

Hold us fast, O Holy One, from storms that rage both within and without, for we are lambs of your sheepfold, and You call us each by name. 
Warm us with the fires of wisdom, O God, as winter's chill settles like a blanket upon the land. 
Forgive our headstrong ways, we pray: may we put aside all fear and rancor, and let our sins be carried away like smoke on the hilltops. 

May we kindle our hearts anew with the love of Christ, that the flame of compassion burns in the hearths of our souls. Blessed Savior, place the mantle of your blessing over us, and watch over and bless those we now name.

Amen.