Prayer 1323

The Tower at Press Hall, Eden Theological Seminary.

Lord Jesus Christ, we lift up our hearts and lives to You, offering You all that we are, rejoicing in your abiding love. 

For all who rejoice and celebrate their blessings today, we thank You. 
For all who seek and travel the holy path of compassion and peace, as You yourself guided us, we thank You. 
For all working to amend their lives and reconcile to those they have hurt and to forgive those who've hurt them, we thank You. 

For all who have lost their way, or who have lost hope, that the Spirit of Wisdom and Truth enliven them, we pray to You. 
For all who sorrow, or who are anxious in the face of uncertainty or injustice, that they be freed and comforted, we pray to You. 
For all who are in pain or sickness in body or mind, that they be healed and restored, we pray to You. 

Holy One, accept our praises and our cares as we lay them before You, and bless and keep those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 1322: Prayer for Labor Day

As I give thanks for the working men and women whose labor has made this country great, I remember this lovely lady at Thistle Stop Cafe in Nashville, who helped make us feel welcome and showed such hospitality.

A Prayer for Labor Day
Holy One, your hands built the foundations of the world: we pause from our labors to give you thanks and praise. 

Lord, You called us to establish justice: may we remember our obligation to love each other as we love ourselves. Help us, O God, build a society in which the dignity and contribution of every worker is honored, and wealth is used righteously. 

O Creator, who rested upon the seventh day, let us work not just for a living but to have life abundantly. Remembering your abundant grace, let us work alongside those who are in want, and act with justice toward the poor. Help us act with justice to help those who search for work, that all may dwell in security, and that we honor, support, and affirm each other. Giving thanks for our fellowship in your kingdom, O Holy One, we ask your grace to rest upon those we now name.

Amen.
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Prayer 1321: The Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Time to head back through these doors at Eden Seminary for year three. So much to do and learn!

Most Merciful God, secure us by your hand upon the rock of salvation, that we may sing your praise forever! 

Gather us to You, O Holy One, for all like sheep we have wandered afar, and folly has become our pole star. 
Let our hearts ascend to You, O God, upon the wings of the morning: let us make our hearts glad in your worship and honor. 
Let us join hands and hearts, secured by your Word, and give thanks before your altars. 

Strengthened, rededicated, and renewed, let us make our lives a joyful testimony to your goodness and mercy at all times. 

Come, Holy Spirit, fill our hearts, and gather under your wing all whose needs we remember before You.

Amen.

Prayer, day 1320

Oklahoma sky at Fort Gibson Lake. There was a large earthquake in Oklahoma this morning believed to be at least a 5.6. Pray for an end to fracking and the injection of wastewater into the ground. 

O Bright Morning Star, You guide us always toward the way we need to go; let us go, then, with rejoicing. You have set our feet upon this beautiful earth that moves at your command: let us also follow upon the path you have given us. We thank You for keeping watch over us unceasingly through the watches of the night and the events of our day. We lift up our eyes from our busyness to see your holiness, for we are prone to forget that You watch over us and never sleep. Gather those who are anxious or troubled under the shadow of your wing, and press them close.

Amen.
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Prayer 1319

Beautiful Tulsa sky, heading out of town.

Holy One, You are ever near; in laughter or in tears, You are with us and share our journey. 

We sit in silence before You and still our minds that we may drink in your abiding Love. 
We place ourselves in the hands of the Almighty and the Merciful: may we be led by your Love Incarnate in our lives. 

Your grace covers us like a cool breeze before a summer shower: forgive us, and give us hearts to reconcile with each other. 
Guide the hands and hearts of those who seek to heal and comfort the afflicted, we pray. 
Help us nurture peace and justice in our hearts, that our words and our lives may testify to your truth, Lord Christ. 

Gather within your embrace all those who seek You or a deeper knowledge of You, or who are in any need or distress.

Amen.

Prayer 1318- For Creation

O God, Ground of Our Being and Source of All That Is, we give thanks to You for the beauty that surrounds us. 

Stars and galaxies in their courses whirl overhead, blue, red, and gold, the planets themselves testifying to your power bursting forth in creation from time immemorial. 

Our own beautiful earth, sustaining billions of life forms, sings out your praise, and we hear only a whisper of the chorus. 

Grant us wisdom to repent and repair the scars we have left upon the Earth, and turn our hearts from greed and carelessness. 

Make us true lovers of your creation, and help us remember how firmly we are rooted in it and that we find You here. 

Bring us to awareness that heaven is under our feet, and let us walk gently and reverently upon the earth. 

May we feel the thrum of life coming up through our very feet, and rejoice in the Love of the Almighty One who has placed us here. 

 Holy One, send your renewing Spirit over the face of the Earth and into our hearts. 

May we ever give thanks and gratitude to the One who is making heaven and earth. 

Restore and strengthen all who call on You for healing and comfort, precious Lord.

Amen.

Prayer 1317

Holy, Merciful Lord, we lift up our hearts and our hopes to You, rooted in your abundant love. 

May God grant us wisdom and discernment in choosing the path we take up upon our waking, that we walk in justice and charity. 
May God guide us on our going out and our coming in, that our actions may be blessings for those we encounter. 
May we place ourselves in the hands of the Holy, that we be molded and shaped by love and compassion. 

Blessed Savior, let us abide with You and open our eyes to your unfailing presence, that we be at rest when day is done. Gather within your embrace all who call upon You, Lord Christ, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 1316

Window at Trinity Church, Tulsa.

In deep gratitude, let our hearts approach the Lord, humble and in peace, to breathe our prayers to the Almighty. 

Let the wondrous blessings of God be always upon our lips, and let us give full voice to our praise! Holy One,You are our strength and shield: let all this within us sing forth your praise. 

May we embody the gospel of Christ in all our ways, and be joined together as the Body of Christ with joy. Blessed Savior, heal us of all that separates us from the love of God and love of neighbor, we humbly pray. 

Shepherd and carry us within your Incarnate Love, Lord Christ, and place your hand upon those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 1315

Most Merciful God, we bow before You, placing ourselves in worship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Holy One, give us strength to turn away from sin and embrace holiness and peace. Give us tender hearts toward all creation, loving You and each other with all our might. Let us rejoice in those who love us and forgive those who have hurt us, remembering our own failures. Let us use hands and hearts to heal the world, and bring compassion and justice to life. Blessed Savior, place the kiss of your blessing upon our brows, and stretch forth your healing hand to those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 1314: Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Mural by Faith47.

Lord Jesus Christ, we bow before You, and ask that You lead us into your path of holiness and love. 

Let us raise a joyful noise to the Lord and come into God's courts with thanksgiving! Let us join hands around the altars of the Almighty, united in truth and spirit with one another. Let us open our table to all, as we hope to rejoice at the heavenly banquet. Let us seek not just comfort but transformation, dedicating all that we are the the service of God. 

Bless and keep us under the shadow of your wing, O Holy One, as a mother nurses her newborn babe. Lord Jesus, give your angels charge over all who call upon you today, and look with favor upon those for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer, day 1313

Holy One, illumine our hearts and minds with your holy wisdom, love, and charity; may joy rise in our hearts with the morning sun. 

May we trace the pilgrims' way with our feet, that we may be led into your good pastures of grace, O God. May we clasp hands in unity, united in your love, and know the peace of God by offering ourselves to You, O Savior. May we sing out God's praises with our whole being, and gather around your altar with gratitude for your many blessings. May we hear your call to us in the cry of the oppressed, and work to build your kingdom in our hearts and in our communities. 

Shine the light of your countenance upon us, O Lover of Souls, and extend your peace to those for whom we pray.

Amen.
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Prayer 1312: Morning Praise

The first bird of the morning lifts up her song of joy: let us join her in raising praise to You, O Lord Most High. We thank You for this beautiful Earth beneath our feet: let us waken the dawn with our songs of joy. 

Our trust and hope rests in the Lord, the Ground and Source of All That Is: Come, Holy Spirit, and fill our hearts with wisdom. Our fingers may forget their skill, but let our tongues praise You and our actions testify to your transforming grace. Forgive, Lord, and restore us to paths of peace: let our fight be for those who are oppressed, seeking justice with loving hearts. 

Blessed Jesus, receive our prayers and praises, and bless us and those for whom we pray this day.

Amen.

Prayer 1311

Holy One, we bless and thank You for guarding us through the night: let us draw near, and be guided by your Love. Forgive us our sins: help us restore fellowship with those we have hurt. 

You have borne us in your arms through trials and joys: send us forth as living testaments to your wisdom and truth. Open our eyes to see your glory in all the world, that we may care for the earth you have placed us within. 

Comfort those in pain or mourning, and guide the hands of all who tend to the sick and the dying. Lord Christ, lead us in your paths of peace, and press your blessing upon those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 1310

Detail of a window at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Ferguson.

The heavens are telling the glory of God: let us join in the song of creation, praising God always. Holy, Holy God, shine the light of your countenance upon us, and guide us in the ways of peace and justice. 

Lift the darkness from our hearts by the light of your Word, and bring us in safety through the day. 
Guide our hands and hearts, that we may be forces for healing and testaments of your abundant grace. 
Open our hearts to the poor and oppressed, that we may walk humbly with Christ our Savior and model. 

Merciful One, look with favor upon all those who call upon You, comforting them and bringing them peace. Stretch forth the hand of your blessing over those whose needs we raise before You, we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 1309

My friend Jackie is off to Duke Divinity School; may she be as blessed in her studies as she is a blessing to all.

Holy One, let our prayer rise to You as the morning mist, let you blessing rise before us with the sun. Let us open our hearts before you in meditation: let our minds be centered within your Word. Let us breathe in the peace of God, that we may walk in love and compassion with all beings. 

Guide us, Blessed Savior, in paths of wisdom and faithfulness, that we may serve You this day. Imbue us with a spirit of humility that we may work for justice and healing in the world. Send the balm of your Holy Spirit over all who lift their cares before You, O God, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer, day 1308

Detail from Walter Ufer's painting, Hunger, in an exhibition at the Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa.

Merciful One, we give thanks to worship before your altar and sing praises to your Name! 

May our lives testify to your goodness and power, and may all we do uplift the spirits of those around us. Let us join hands in perfect love with all who seek to do good and walk in justice and peace. May we seek to bear each other's burdens and lighten each other's loads, loving those we meet as ourselves. May we seek to act in love, charity, and compassion for all living things. Guide, guard and keep us as we journey through life, that we may bring honor and glory to You. 

Let us rest like children upon your breast, O God, when we falter or are troubled, for your love is a balm to our souls. Eternal Spirit, embrace those whose needs we lift to you now, especially those we now name.

Amen.
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Prayer 1307, Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost

With joyful hearts we gather in your sanctuary, O God Most High, and join together as the Body of Christ! 

Lord Jesus Christ, you healed the woman bent from illness in the synagogue: place your healing hands upon us, we pray.
We carry the weight of hardened hearts within our chests: heal and forgive us, O Lord. 
Let us stand upright in your courts, and receive your Word of love and peace with joy. 
Let us look each other in the face, and see your face shining back, Lord Jesus, calling us to unity and compassion. 
Let us raise our hands toward your altar, to be fed and strengthened in your sacrament of Holy Communion. 
Let us step forth on the path of peace-making and share each other's burdens, as you chose to be God-with-us, incarnate. 

Bless and keep us, Lord Christ, that we may tale on your yoke of wisdom and humility, serving You and each other always. Place your healing hand upon those for whom we also pray.

Amen.

Prayer, day 1306

A new branch sprouts on a Chinese dogwood at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

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.
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Prayer 1305

Sign along Route 66 on the way to Oklahoma City.

Lord Jesus, you open your arms to us on the cross to embrace and redeem the entire world: hear our prayer. Bring us to repentance for our sins, and determination to follow your Way of life in every thing we do. Bring us to love each other as You loved both your disciples and your enemies. Bring us to so delight in your gospel that we mold our lives around it. Fill us to overflowing with your love, wisdom, and compassion, Blessed Savior, and make us worthy of your name. Bless and keep all those who cry out to you, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 1304

From the American Window by Marc Chagall, Art Institute of Chircsgo.

Come, Lord Jesus, and let us bend the knee of our hearts before You, offering our hearts to be filled with your love. Most Merciful God, we give You thanks and praise: Earthmaker, Painbearer, Life-Giver. 

May we root ourselves within your love and service like a forest of mighty oaks, drawing all our nourishment from You. 
May we reach out our arms in love to You in praise, and to each other in compassion and justice. 
May we dig deep in your gospel of peace, and stand unshaken within its truths and challenges to love more fully. 

Send forth your Wisdom, O God Most High, to guide us into the determination to transform ourselves in holiness by faith. Heal us of the vanities that lead us astray, and unite us to You and each other, restored through love. 

Redeemed by your promise of love, O Holy One, we ask your blessing upon those who call upon You.

Amen.