Prayer 591

Detail from a window at Trinity Tulsa.

O God, we rise from our beds with your seal upon our hearts: accept our offered prayers. 

Sometimes we fear we are sinking: if we are going to sink, let us sink into your embrace, O Holy One. Sometimes we fear we are lost: if we are going to get lost, let us get lost in the beauty of Your creation. Sometimes, we are doubtful: If we are going to doubt, let it draw us closer to faith. 

Lord Christ, you know the struggles we encounter: move into the chambers in our hearts and fill them with grace. Be our companion and comfort, O Spirit, in the chances and changes that confront us. 

Mindful of all blessings, and in unity with each other in good times and bad, we lift our prayers before You, O Almighty.

Amen. 

Prayer 590- Serenity

Strawflowers on the grounds of Eden herald autumn and provide work for many skipper butterflies.

Breathe your Spirit upon us, O Holy One.
Let us hear the symphony of our pulse and know the miracle of your grace.
Let us empty our hearts of all resentment so that they may fill with gratitude.
Let us sit at your feet and be grateful for each breath.
Let us breathe in your wisdom, and breathe out your love.
Let us be still and know that You are our God.
Let us be one in spirit with You, O God, and with those for whom we pray

Prayer 589- In gratitude

Today, September 2, 2104, was Opening Convocation and my first class at Eden Seminary.

God of Mercy and Compassion, we draw near to you in prayer in the glory of this day. We praise You, Creator, for the stars in their courses and the seas in their depths, for the splendor of all that is. O Christ, who spread your loving arms wide upon the cross, bring us into your embrace. O Spirit, inspire us to new heights of devotion and serenity. 

May we set our hearts and minds upon your wisdom, O God, and tell out your truth is all we say and do. May we act with generosity and compassion to all beings, and make each others' burdens our own. Guide us in the ways of open-heartedness and truth, and make us humble and devout in all our paths today. 

Awed by your unfailing love, O God, we ask your blessing upon those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 588- For Labor Day

Creator God, who brought the universe into being as a mother births her children: we thank You for the gift of this day. 

Bless the handiwork of all who labor, who toil with their hands, minds, and imaginations for the benefit of all. Bless those whose work feeds us, provides shelter for us, and increases our comfort. Bless mechanics, electricians, carpenters, and all whose skill enriches our common life. Bless doctors and nurses and health care workers, all those whose work heals us and makes us well. Bless musicians, writers, artists, and craftsmen, and all those whose work feeds our deepest selves. Bless teachers, rabbis, ministers, and priests, who tend to our souls and nurture our minds, drawing us closer to You. Bless those leaders who serve our country with honor, who work to the benefit of the greater good. 

Remembering that we are all caught in a web of mutuality, may we work for and uplift each other today and every day. Hear, O God, the concerns of your people, especially for those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 587- in preparation for worship

Reflection of the East Altar windows on the floor of the sanctuary at Holy Communion.

O God, we come with joy into your sanctuary, rejoicing and praising your wondrous Name! Let us walk in humility and love with our neighbor, and seek pardon from any we have harmed. We sing out the abundant love You give us; bless us and keep us as the apple of your eye, we pray. 

Turn our minds to hear your statutes: turn our feet to your path of wisdom and truth. Shelter us under your wings, O God, and strengthen us when trials draw near: for You are with us always. Rejoicing in the fellowship of saints and apostles, let us go from your altar to labor in your kingdom. 

Hear the prayers of your people, O Holy One, and grant your benediction upon those we remember to You.

Amen.

Prayer 586- Confidence in God

Creator God, You enclose us in a cloud of blessing: may we sing out your mercy throughout the world. You hold us within the hollow of your hand: our days are marked by your unfailing love. 

Nurture within us a spirit of charity and compassion: may we joyfully serve you all the days of our lives. May we trust in your providence even when storm clouds gather, and remember that we never walk alone. Soothe our turbulent fears and gentle our worried hearts: cradle us against your loving breast. For You are ever our Redeemer: we will not forget your steadfast love even in the face of our willfulness and pride. 

Almighty One, watch over those for whom we pray and give them rest and peace.

Amen.

Prayer 585- for community

The altar and reredos at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis in afternoon light.

O Light Eternal, illumine my way: let me take counsel in your courts; let me seek wisdom at your feet. Let me walk in the company of saints and holy ones, that I may be instructed in right pathways for living. 

Turn my heart to be a fertile field to receive the seeds of your instruction, O Holy One. Make me a disciple in deed as well as word, O God: help me grow in grace and compassion. Tune my ear to hear the melody of your Word sung out in holy fellowship, that my life sing out your praise. 

Draw us to your altar in brotherhood and peace: make us a holy and priestly people for your glory, Almighty God. From the depths of our hearts we offer you our prayers: extend your blessing over all creation.

Amen.

Prayer 584

On the grounds of Eden Seminary

Rejoicing in the morning sun, we rise from our beds to praise your Holy Name, O God Eternal. Give us the courage to set the yoke of your love upon our shoulders, that we may proclaim your unfailing Love throughout the world. You have claimed us and named us as Christ's very own: let us rejoice in your manifold blessings! Your Love is a canopy to shelter us from the heat of the midday sun: You are the rock of our salvation. Let us love each other with tenderness and compassion: knit our hearts together in love and faithfulness. Send your angels to guard us and guide us: open our hearts to hear your Word.

Amen.

Prayer 583: for wisdom

Detail from a window in the McCarthy Room at Eden Seminary.

We raise our hearts and minds to You, O God, Our Teacher and Guide: hear our prayers. 

O God, help us seek wisdom, for we a foolish and prone to wander. Preserve us from the enemies without and enemies within: fear, jealousy, envy, rejection, malice, ignorance, hatred. Ground us in love, O Holy One, for wisdom grounded in love leads us to compassion and peace. 

Open our hearts to see how much You have cherished us since our birth: let us reflect upon your manifold mercies. Help us to find the way when troubles beset us: give us the wisdom to discern and the heart to never lose hope. 

Merciful One, still our minds, and cool our fevered anxieties. Spread the shelter of your serenity over those who are in trouble or doubt, O Eternal One.

Amen.

Prayer 582

Orientation at Eden Seminary.

O God, You have known and treasured us through all of our days: we praise you for your steadfast love! Guide us to walk in your ways, that the works of our hands may find favor in your sight. Inscribe your precepts upon our hearts, for we are prone to wander from the paths of wisdom. Kindle within us the flame of lovingkindness, that we may be humble and righteous in all we do for the glory of your Name. Look with favor upon your children whom we now name, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 581

At the prayer service and march for peace and justice and Ferguson on August 21, 2014, hosted by Holy Communion Episcopal Church. Mike Brown was laid to rest today, August 25.

Let us praise the Lord our God, who has set the seal of salvation upon us and blessed us this day. We thank You for the glory of the rising sun, and for the gift of your unfailing love. Almighty One, have mercy upon us, and lead us into paths of righteousness and compassion for all beings. Stretch out your hand over the bowed heads of the faithful, and guide us to wisdom and peace. Give us compassionate hearts and willing hands to do your work in the world. Comfort those who cry out to You, O Jehovah, and draw us to your breast like little children. We lift up the prayers of those whose hope is in You, O Loving One, for we know that You are always near

Amen.

Prayer 580

O Merciful God, we come before your sanctuary to give thanks and to worship You, our Creator and Shepherd. We bless You, O Mighty One, for You place us upon a rock when the waters rise and the foundations of our lives are shaken. Our hearts and minds are firmly fixed in hope, O God, for You are with us always. Give us joy in being together on this sabbath, and may we hallow our fellowship with true love and charity. Give us the grace to ask forgiveness of those we have wronged as we prepare to come before your altar. Forgive us for our obstinacy and our pettiness, for our failure to love You and each other. Bless those who mourn this day especially, and strengthen those who struggle to recover from illness. We lift up these beloved children who cast their cares and concerns upon the altar of your Love.

Amen.

Prayer 579

A gorgeous sunset after attending a prayer service for peace and justice in Ferguson.

O God Almighty, open our eyes to your wonders, and open our mouths to speak your praise. O Christ, you opened your arms to embrace the world from the heights of the cross: may we be drawn into your embrace. Open our minds to your wisdom, that we may walk on paths of righteousness and justice. Open our hearts to receive your words, and allow them to take root in our hearts. Open the clenched fists we nurture that we may let go of fear and hatred and join hands with our brothers and sisters to seek peace. 

O God, your Mercy is as vast as the night sky, yet your love shines as the noonday Sun: hear our prayers we offer before You.

Amen.

Prayer 578 (inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

(Inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
O Lord, You remind us that there is a time for everything: let today be a time to love and a time for peace. 
Let today be a time to heal hurts of the body and hurts of the heart, to mend what has been broken. 
Let today be a time to embrace our fellowship with You and with each other, to build up Your Beloved Community. 
Let today be a time to speak out for justice, to scatter the stones of ill-will and plant compassion in their place. 
Let today be a time to keep watch with those who work or wait or mourn, with those whose times are in Your hand.

Amen.

Prayer 577

My parish church of Holy Communion in University City will have a prayer service tonight for Ferguson, Missouri and the pain and unrest that still trouble so many there and around the world.

We lift our prayers to You, O God, in thanksgiving for your marvelous works in our lives. Teach us to open our hearts, that we may love You and each other with a perfect love. Consecrate the works of our hands, that they may build bridges of peace across the issues that divide us. Make us humble enough to listen more than we speak, and wise enough to speak with integrity and compassion. Help us to not turn away from the pain and sorrows of those around us, O Holy One. Hear, O God, the prayers and the cares that have lodged in our hearts, for in your mercy we pray.

Amen.

Praying with Our Feet: A reflection on the witness of Ferguson on Jonathan Daniels' feast day (Speaking to the Soul)

On the feast day of Jonathan Myrick Daniels-Seminarian, Martyr, and Witness for Civil Rights- we marched for peace and justice in Ferguson, Missouri.

Forty-nine years after Jonathan Daniels was shot in place of Ruby Sales after they were released from jail in Alabama for registering African Americans to vote, we went to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teenager, Michael Brown, on the streets of an American suburb by Darren Wilson, a Ferguson police officer. We went into an area that had seen tear-gas and armored personnel carriers on the streets of America aimed at American citizens by American citizens. We went- lay, ordained, Christians, Muslims, Jews, atheists- to lay claim to peace. We went onto streets that had seen rioting, burning, looting, and terrible bloodshed, but also kindness, cooperation, aid, and ministry.  We went into a community where compassion and hope keep breaking out despite all portrayals of chaos and despair, and to witness to that.

We prayed with our feet for peace and justice, and the right to protest peacefully in the name of righteousness, compassion, and unity. We went not because we shouldn’t be outraged in the face of prejudice and pre-judgment, but because justice needs to be heard over the popping of tear gas canisters and the shattering of shop-windows. We went because we must pluck out the violence, prejudice, hostility, inequality, and mistrust in all our hearts. We went because our silences can oppress as forcefully as our actions.

We came to join with the hundreds of peaceful protesters and residents who are already there. We went because we were asked to be there. We went because we ache for those in mourning, for those in fear, and for those in anger. We went, and we who are Christians were asked to bring our Bibles (and our prayer books) to demonstrate our peaceful intentions. We went to witness, to overcome the pull to look the other way, to move along, to believe that we are not all diminished by injustice to anyone. We went, because when God is in the street, that is where we should be. We went because God is not just in the street, but in the homes and the businesses and the schools and the churches that line those streets.

On what would have been the 75^th birthday of Jonathan Daniels, we were still being confronted with the idea that one wrong makes another wrong justified. We went to confront a society that is entertained by scenes of destruction while discounting the very real pain that destruction represents. We went to confront a legacy of segregation and mistrust that is prevalent within our neighborhoods and within our hearts.

We were still being confronted with the fact that in our hearts and our society, bright, tight circles are drawn around “us” versus “them,” and that we simultaneously celebrate that and then decry the fraying of the social fabric that should bind us together in humility, in empathy, and in love.

We went because we know that we all live in the shadowy border between truth and secrecy, between right and wrong, between error and malice, between consequences and justification, between retribution and reconciliation. We went because we are Michael Brown, and we went because we are Darren Wilson. We are the mother crying out for her child, and we are the family hoping their loved one comes home safe each night after attempting to place his or her life on the line for our safety. We went to listen, we went to protest, and we went to pray. We went with the hope that the soft, still voice of peace and justice could be heard over the sounds of destruction and vengeance.

We went to counter the idea that justice should be denied anyone, whether that someone is a teenager walking the street or a policeman whose actions resulted in the death of a person he stopped. We went because justice will break free. We went so that, in the words of the prophet Amos, justice might roll down like waters. Justice, with her companion, Truth, that not only cannot be denied, but that no one should be shielded from. Justice, which can never be confused with retribution. Justice, which must always be tempered by mercy and reconciliation.

On the feast day of Jonathan Daniels, we marched for peace and justice in Ferguson, because we ARE Ferguson, no matter where our houses are. And we must continue to march and pray; we must educate and listen; we must examine our silences as well as our words and actions, until the streets of Ferguson, and every pathway within our hearts, roll down with justice.

 (This post was published on Episcopal Cafe's Speaking to the Soul on August 20, 2014. The link is here: https://www.episcopalcafe.com/praying_with_our_feet/)

Prayer 576: in thanksgiving

We praise You and bless You, O God, Ruler of our hearts, who has brought us safely to this new day. May our prayers ascend like incense and our hopes rise to heaven as birds on the wing. Make us more prone to wonder than to wander, for your way, O God, is the Way of Truth. May we remember your mercy and loving-kindness even in troubled times. You have been with us through the night, and brought joy in the morning. You pour out the balm of your love upon the troubled water: You bid the winds of destruction to cease. You call us to new light and life in our Savior, and give us comfort and peace. Almighty One, Father of All Mercies, Mother of All Compassion: hear our prayers as we lift them to You.

Amen.

Prayer 575- Inspired by Psalm 121

We continue to pray for Peace and Justice in Ferguson.

(Inspired by Psalm 121)
Let me sit in silence and abide with You, my Savior.
O God, I lift my eyes to You, for You are my heart and my help.
I lay upon my bed at night knowing You watch over me and keep me safe, and I am at peace.
You hear my cries, and know my fears: your hand rests upon my head to bless and protect me.
Evil cannot enfold me, for I rest in the embrace of the Almighty, whose love never sleeps or turns away.
The maker of heaven and earth loves me and tenderly cares for me: who can do me harm?
God watches over me in all my journeys: God sets my feet firmly upon the way of love and compassion.
The God of Peace calls me to the path of righteousness, whose foundation is justice and equality.
The heat of anger and fear may beat down upon me, but my God shades me and shields me, and I am at peace.
Let me raise up the needs of your children, my kindred souls, who put their trust in You.

Amen.

Prayer 574

Loving God, You are with us always: let us seek always to be with You. 

You bless us and forgive us without limit: may we be heartily sorry for our wrongs, and forgive those who have wronged us. You answer our sins with mercy and welcome us through grace: let us always have mercy and walk in justice with each other. You teach us your truths by the power of your Word and deeds: may our words and actions always give light to your Truth. You love us and comfort us in our despair and our pain: help us to comfort those who mourn and remember their needs. 

Almighty One, lift us above the rising tide of trouble that threatens to overwhelm us, we pray you. Help us to respect the dignity of every creature, man or woman, young or old, rich or poor: set our hearts upon love over hate. Spread the wings of your solace over all who cry out to You, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 573

Yours is the night and yours is the day, O God Most High, and we raise our thanksgivings to You with the rising sun. 

Happy are those who act with justice, and always do what is right! We rejoice to do You homage, Lord, for You are the source of all our blessings. Let us preach peace to those far off and near, and live out peace in our own lives. Let us hasten the coming of your kingdom by being used to your glory and honor, loving each other as ourselves. Let us aid the weak, work for the common good, soothe the afflicted, and care for the vulnerable among us. Let us extend the hand of brotherhood to all, and love and live without fear. 

Grant your mercy and blessing to those we now lift up in our prayers.

Amen