Prayer 709- New Year's Eve

Let us praise God in the beauty of the morning, and remember God's wondrous love each step of our day! 

Lord Christ, we thank You for bringing us thru this past year, and remember the times You walked beside us. Be our companion on the way as we face the New Year: may we turn again to your service with joy. May we hold fast to your hand as we seek to grow in faithfulness, and keep our feet upon the paths of wisdom and peace. 

Break the bow and shatter the spear, O God, and tear down the walls of suspicion that separate us from You and from each other. Bring us in safety through our trials, and make us instruments of your peace. Extend the shade of your healing hand over the body of your people, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 708

We turn to You, O God, with open, longing hearts, seeking You in all we do through the prayers we raise. 

Who are we, that You should take notice of us? We are your beloved children, and You have claimed us as your own. 

You, O God, are the Mother who gives us life; You, O God, are the Father who treasures us. 

Place us within the cleft of the rock, and place your hand behind us and before us, for we depend upon You. Help us to turn aside from our follies, and heal our often self-inflicted wounds; restore us to integrity and peacefulness. 

Holy One, You call us to wholeness and unity in You: hear the prayers of Your people as they seek your grace and mercy.

Amen.

Prayer 707- Feast of the Holy Innocents

Feast of the Holy Innocents
Almighty, everliving God, let us welcome you into our hearts with joy and humility. Be our companion in each breath we take today, Lord Christ, for in You we seek to live and move. Let us receive You into our hearts with joy, singing praises for your manifold blessings. Help us to acknowledge the times we have acted out of fear, suspicion, anger, or jealousy, and forgive us, Lord. With penitent hearts help us to see and know those we encounter as beloved children of God. Help us to receive your abundant Love as a balm for our sometimes turbulent spirits. Grant us peace, O Source of Our Being, and help us be joyful workers to build your kingdom on Earth. Hear the prayers of all who turn to You for healing, for strength, for courage, especially those we now name.

Amen.

A Ferguson police sergeant and a protester embrace.

Speaking to the Soul: Living Into the Possibilities

This post originally appeared on Episcopal Cafe's Speaking to the Soul on December 28, 2014.

When my kids were little, their favorite question was “Why?” Why is the sky blue? Why doesn’t the moon fall down? Why can’t we ride our dog Maxie like a pony? Why can’t I go to school with you?

Every Sunday, I facilitate a lectionary Bible study at my parish. It’s discussion- based, which is how I have always preferred to teach, but the rub of this method always is the necessity to be prepared for anything. And that includes, always, some really great questions to which I will never claim that I have the answers.

A couple of Sundays ago was no exception. I had agreed to teach a month-long Advent series for the entire adult education program, rather than just our regular small group, and we were on the fourth and final Sunday. Our texts included the Annunciation narrative from Luke. The Archangel Gabriel appears to Mary, and opens up to her the possibility that she will bear a child, even though she is a “virgin.” And there are some who doubt several aspects of this story.

And that’s okay. In fact, that’s probably why many of us are Episcopalians. We are not afraid to live into the questions. But, I wonder, can we also be unafraid to live into the possibilities?

I wonder if we completely misunderstand the stories we hear during the seasons of Advent and Christmas if we set our focus on them as telling us anything about the “how” of God. A far more interesting question to me is the one my kids favored so much growing up: “Why?” Why was the Son of God sent into the world, born as a tiny baby in a dusty corner of a gigantic empire?  Why do the stories insist that the Son of God was born into an “irregular” family to a teenaged mother without connection or wealth or privilege? Why listen to these stories today?

One of the greatest mysteries in scripture seems to be that the God of Israel delights in those who would be overlooked: the younger child rather than the elder, the shepherd rather than the warrior, the repentant sinner rather than the perfect, the Samaritan who shouldn’t be expected to be compassionate rather than the leaders who should be compassionate but aren’t. Always, always, God encourages us to expand our notions of what is possible, to burst free of expectations based on what is probable, to show us instead the wonders of what can be.

Likewise, in this season of Advent and Christmas, the angle that captures my attention is not who Jesus WAS as much as who Jesus IS for us today. When we try to box Jesus into our scientifically perceived notions of natural law, we lose our grasp of Jesus altogether, much as you can’t hold water in your fist. Unto us is born a child who will be a savior for us right now as well as throughout the past.

This Son of God comes to be Emmanuel, “God With Us.” This Son of God comes to heal the lame and the sick and the outcast—and he continues to heal today, in the frozen, dry fields that lie waiting in the very center of our being. This Son of God comes to us as a humble little baby, whose cry from the manger cracks open our hearts and our spirits, opening us up to what is possible, what can be, through love and trust in both God and each other. He comes to us right now, and we so very much need him. Come, Lord Jesus.

Prayer 706

All creation worships You, O God, in the splendor of your majesty. 

Holy One, You sent your Son into the world for our salvation; make us true disciples of His Way, Truth, and Light. Christ came to remind us that the least shall be the greatest; make us humble servants of those we meet. Give us courage, knowing that our confidence is in You: let our first response always be hope, not fear. 

Lord God, we thank You for bringing us through the trials and tests of these last days, and rejoice at your providence and love for us. Guide, guard, and strengthen all those who turn to You for help or comfort, covering them with your wing.

Amen.

Prayer 705

Holy One, we come before you, rejoicing in the Spirit. 

Lord, lift us up from the places into which we have wandered, and set our feet upon the path of your wisdom. Carry us in your arms when we feel weak or need rest, and strengthen us for the work into which you call us. We thank You for releasing us from the bonds of fear, and we ask that you set us ablaze with your love. 

Bear up those who seek You with the healing waters of your blessing, we pray, Lord Christ. Soothe the heartache of those who worry or weep. Hear the prayers of those whose hope is not in our own worthiness but in You alone, and your Love.


Amen.

Prayer 704- St. Stephen's Day

Most merciful God, may we welcome into our arms the newborn Prince of Peace, and cradle him within our hearts. 

Draw us into the light of your wisdom, that we may love one another as You have loved us. Holy One, you looked with compassion on your children, and gave us the most precious gift of all: help us to see in each other the light of your image in every one of us. 

Plant mercy and peace in the winter fields of our hearts, O God, that we may walk in the way of peace. 

May the balm of your healing love fall upon us, to bring us to wholeness and sanctity. Loving One, encircle with your love those we now name, we pray You.

Amen.

Prayer 703- Christmas Day

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God people on Earth! 

Holy God, we thank you for the greatest gift of all: the birth of your Son, Light from Light, Love Beyond Imagining! We bow before You, singing hymns of praise for all your many blessings: life, and love, and peace, and beauty. 

Come, Emmanuel, and rule in our hearts: guide us in paths of wisdom and peace. Let us fasten our hearts on all that is good and true: that today our Savior is born to us! Alleluia! 

Lord Christ, enfold us within your arms of love, and bring us within the circle of your light that we may shine into the world. Holy One, we ask especially that you place your tender hand of healing and peace on those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 702- For peace in our hearts and with each other

O Lord, we thank you for your loving watch over us in our journeys throughout the day and the night. 

Holy One, remind us of the bonds we should have with each other. Help us to live our lives grateful for family, friendship, with good will and kindness toward all. Let us seek out those we have hurt, and seek to turn tears of pain into tears of joy. Heal us of our old wounds, and let us never seek to inflict them on those who've opened their hearts to us. Let us never turn away seeking hearts, but give them a place at the table of fellowship. 

May we carry your command to love in our minds, on our lips, and in our hearts. Make our hearts a worthy home for your light and love, and bless and keep those who cry to you.

Amen.

Poem: Denise Levertov's "Annunciation"

Annunciation

Denise Levertov

We know the scene: the room, variously furnished,
almost always a lectern, a book; always
the tall lily.

       Arrived on solemn grandeur of great wings,
the angelic ambassador, standing or hovering,
whom she acknowledges, a guest.

But we are told of meek obedience. No one mentions
courage.

       The engendering Spirit
did not enter her without consent.

         God waited.

She was free
to accept or to refuse, choice
integral to humanness.

                  ____________________

Aren’t there annunciations
of one sort or another
in most lives?

         Some unwillingly
undertake great destinies,
enact them in sullen pride,
uncomprehending.

More often
those moments
      when roads of light and storm
      open from darkness in a man or woman,
are turned away from

in dread, in a wave of weakness, in despair
and with relief.
Ordinary lives continue.
                                 God does not smite them.
But the gates close, the pathway vanishes.

                  ____________________

She had been a child who played, ate, slept
like any other child–but unlike others,
wept only for pity, laughed
in joy not triumph.
Compassion and intelligence
fused in her, indivisible.

Called to a destiny more momentous
than any in all of Time,
she did not quail,

  only asked

a simple, ‘How can this be?’
and gravely, courteously,
took to heart the angel’s reply,
the astounding ministry she was offered:

to bear in her womb
Infinite weight and lightness; to carry
in hidden, finite inwardness,
nine months of Eternity; to contain
in slender vase of being,
the sum of power–
in narrow flesh,
the sum of light.

                     Then bring to birth,
push out into air, a Man-child
needing, like any other,
milk and love–

but who was God.

This was the moment no one speaks of,

when she could still refuse.

A breath unbreathed,

                                Spirit,

                                          suspended,

                                                            waiting.

                  ____________________

She did not cry, ‘I cannot. I am not worthy,’

Nor, ‘I have not the strength.’

She did not submit with gritted teeth,

                                                       raging, coerced.

Bravest of all humans,

                                  consent illumined her.

The room filled with its light,

the lily glowed in it,

                               and the iridescent wings.

Consent,

              courage unparalleled,

opened her utterly.

Prayer 701

Come, Most Holy One, come into our hearts and make them your home. Kindle a fire within our hearts that we may blaze with Christ's love, sending forth his light in the world. 

Help us to perceive the light of Christ in others, and dry the tears of those who weep or worry. 
Help us, O God, to treasure those who are in our lives as friends and companions on your Way of justice and peace. 
Help us, O Spirit of Peace, to build the kingdom of God within our hearts and within our lives. 

Give your holy angels charge over those who turn their faces to heaven in praise or in need. Send the light of hope to shine forth over those who seek You, Love Incarnate, Holy God, drawing into your arms those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 700

Come, Lord Christ, and fill our hearts. Let us raise up our praises to the Coming One, who was and is and is to come, Love Eternal, Anointed King. Let us worship the One who births us into new life and hope, God Who Is With Us. Holy One, extend your canopy of blessing over us, and root us in your peace. Bring us together as one people, consecrated to your service. Dry the tears of those who weep, and let the light of your love lengthen in their hearts as the days grow longer. Bless and preserve your beloveds, and seal with the oil of blessing those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 699

Most Holy God, we gather around your altar today, drawing strength from your goodness and mercy. Fill our hearts and minds with your praise today as we recount all our blessings. Lead us as we emerge from the night watches, and guide us in pathways of peace. We thank You for bringing us through the trials and cares of our lives, and upholding us in the palm of your hand. Send your angels to comfort those who mourn and those who weep. Help us to say "Yes" to You today, and may we always seek to be your servants. Turn the light of your countenance upon those who call out to You.

Amen.

Prayer 698

Loving One, we thank and bless You for this precious moment to come before You, hearing your voice within our hearts. Thank You, Almighty Father, for your strong arm of protection that has held us throughout the night. Thank You, O Tender Mother, for drawing us within Your embrace, and giving us the nourishment of your wisdom. All that we are and all that we hope to be is grounded in your love, and our spirits are filled with wonder, O Holy One. Guard us and protect us as we prepare ourselves to come before your altars. Shield us and comfort us when we fall into trials or anxiety. Extend the tent of your blessing over us, and place your hand upon those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 696

O God, awaken your people to the dawn of a new day, and accept their offered praises and petitions. 

May justice and peace kiss each other, and may we embody their wisdom in our hearts. May we act with mercy and gentleness, remembering how often You, O Lord, have reached out to us when we've strayed. May we dedicate ourselves to building a table of brotherhood where we find division. Let us commit ourselves to acting in love and caritas where we find enmity and bitterness. 

O Holy One, make us worthy servants in your household, and give us healing hands to do your work. Bless us and keep us as the apple of your eye, and send your blessing over those whose cares we bring before You.

Amen.

Prayer 695

O God, we cast our cares before you and kneel before you in silence. For a moment, let us just abide with You and draw strength from You. We thank You for true friends, and for loving hearts that give us support. We praise You for this new day that gives us the chance to worship You in thought, word, and deed. We rest within Your embrace, O Holy One, like a child seeks her mother. We ask your aid for these beloved children of God for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 694

Holy God, You encircle us with your love and mercy: hear the prayers of your people that we offer to You today. 

Blessed Savior, we pray that we cling to your ways and wisdom more tightly, listening for your call to us in each moment. 

We pray that those unquiet in spirit be gentled, and that empathy and compassion for themselves and others bloom in their hearts. 

We pray that all who are hurting- from sorrow, from contempt, from pain- be soothed in your loving embrace, and know your blessing. 

We pray that all who seek a deeper knowledge of You may be led to the living water of your peace and wisdom. 

We pray that we heal the divisions that tear apart our communities and our hearts. 

Holy One, call down your angels upon us, and send a Spirit of Peace to those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 693- Cultivate Peace

We kneel before You, O Holy One, in gratitude for your protection and love. O God, You not only shelter us from the storm, but give us strength to confront the winds that swirl about us. May all our ways be blameless before You, and may we seek to repent of our folly. 

May the balm of your love pour down like oil from the crown of our heads: may we be anointed to your service today. May your wisdom take up a home in our souls, and may your compassion fill our hearts to overflowing. May we treasure those that love us, and never cast aside those who are kind to us. May we hold fast to your promise of mercy, and encompass the cares of others within our own hearts. 

We place our prayers within your hands, O Savior: breathe your Spirit of Peace upon those we place before You.

Amen.

Prayer 692- Our spirits rejoice in God

(Inspired by the Magnificat, the Song of Mary)
Holy One, shine the light of your countenance upon us, and lift us up in righteousness and strength. Let our spirits rejoice in God, our souls proclaim God's goodness and favor: for indeed, we have been blessed! There is no Rock like our God: Christ is our sure foundation, the cornerstone of our lives. You have shown the strength of your protection over us: You alone are God our Savior. Extend your favor upon the lowly and humble in heart, O God: let us boast only of your love and faithfulness. Fill those who seek You, soothe the suffering, comfort the afflicted, O Holy One: You are our strength and our succor. Gather our prayers to You, O Lover of Souls, and tend to those who call upon You.

Amen.

Prayer 691

Each day is a precious gift, O God: Let our praise rise to You, as hope lifts the hearts of your people. Here in Your embrace we have rested, O Loving One. Now we go out to the harvest fields we are blessed to tend, knit together in holy love. Let the roots of hope grow deep. Let compassion overflow into the spaces where hearts are hollow. Let us be drawn into the embrace of the One who knows all our needs. Let those who are troubled be restored and renewed, filled with the strength of God's grace. Here we offer our prayers to You, O God.

Amen.