Prayer 442- On the cross

Lord Jesus, you were ever a man for others: may we walk beside You, keeping our feet upon your path of love poured out for humanity. 

Although blameless, You walked the Way of Sorrow: may we remember you are with us in our sorrow and pain. May we nail to the cross all our pride, enmity, and vengefulness: forgive us, Lord, forgive, for all like sheep we go astray. 

You stretched out your arms on the wood of the cross: may we open wide our arms before the world, without fear. You offered your heart even to those who mocked you: may we forgive all who have scorned us or hurt us. 

Lord Jesus, You enfold us and embrace us always: hear the prayers of your people that we lay before You.

Amen.

Prayer 441: For work and discipleship

Almighty God, we ask that you bless our endeavors today. Give us Martha hands and Mary hearts, seeking to serve you and be guided by your Word and Wisdom. Unite within us knowledge and action, or we know that work without learning and learning without work gain nothing. Let us proclaim your glory in words and actions this day: make us your hands in the world. Extend your sheltering love over those for whom we pray this day.

Amen.

Prayer 440- God's glory revealed in the skies

Yours is the night, and yours is the day, O God: let us be a blessing this day. For your hand of protection upon us, we give you praise and glory and lift up our eyes to heaven. You create the stars that dance above us: the Seven Sisters, the Northern Crown, Orion as he tumbles across the sky. You guide the chevrons of geese as they wheel overhead, pulling Spring behind them like a banner. You send forth clouds that sail like great ships upon the blue, and bring forth rain to awaken the fields from their slumber. The Earth as it turns toward the Sun and is embraced by light reminds us to always turn to You, our Companion and our Pole Star.

Loving One, may we always remember your great goodness, and center ourselves within your love. Send your angels, we pray, to watch over us and our loved ones, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 439- inspired by the Jubilate

(Inspired by the Jubilate)
You are the source of all goodness, O God, and our shelter in times of trial. The lands ring out their joy to God, whose mercy never fails. God calls each one by name, and we answer our shepherd's call. We know You have made us and are with us, O Loving One, and we sing your praise. Your gates open before us; let us enter with thanksgiving, sure in your reception and protection of us. We call upon You and You answer us, for your faithfulness endures from age to age. Strengthen and vouchsafe those who call upon You, especially these for whom we pray.

Amen.

Prayer 438- On the anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

For MLK

Almighty God, we thank You for sending us prophets and leaders like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

May we also dedicate our lives to the cause of true peace, founded upon freedom rather than the rubble of injustice. May we open our hearts to our neighbors, even those who call us enemies, and overcome physical division through spiritual strength. Through the power of love, may we break the dams that hold back the waters of justice, that we may live in verdant valleys of fellowship. May we see the face of Christ in all, and bear our hardships with dignity, through trust in your bountiful mercy. May we seek to make our lives a worthy offering to You, O Love Divine. 

Look not on our faults, but lead us into righteousness, and give ear to our petitions and thanksgivings

Prayer 437- During a Tornado Warning

A prayer during a tornado warning

O God, we know that you are with us in the silence and in the tempest: we come to You in prayer, comforted by your love. Be our shelter against the rough winds that shake us from our sleep. Deliver us, O Loving One, from stubbornness and hardness of heart, from the storms that rage from within as well as without. Preserve us from the rising waters of anxiety and insecurity; place us upon the strong rock of faith. We know that You do not slumber nor sleep; You are our light in the darkness before dawn. 

Secure within your embrace, O Steadfast One, we lift up our prayers of petition and thanks for those we love, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 436

O God, you have preserved us through the storms of the night: hear our prayer. We come before You, mindful of our faults, and humbled by your grace and kindness. Help us not to forget your limitless mercy when we are asked to forgive. Teach us, O Lord, your wisdom and truth: may we love each other whole-heartedly, even foolishly, even as You love us. May the power of God to work in our hearts roll over us like thunder, and may we rededicate ourselves to the work of love and justice. For your Love's sake, send your blessing and benediction upon those who call upon you, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 435

Almighty God, from the sleeping ground You bring forth blooming life in Spring: bring forth also new life in our hearts. You fed the multitudes with bread in the desert: feed our spirits with your abundant Word. Let us be renewed in our fellowship, and inspired by our time in prayer with You, that we may be united in Truth and Love. May we treasure our blessings, obey your will, and pray for the healing of our faults, which only comes through your grace. Look with favor upon your servants, who rest within your steadfast Love.

Amen.

Prayer 434

Almighty God, we turn to you as the Earth turns toward the sun, bringing light and life to all. Let us be light to all the dark places of the world, like mirrors reflecting your wisdom and truth. Let us not be deceived by appearances, but see with the eyes of the heart what is true, good, and right. 

Help us to know and repent of our faults and hardheadedness, and forgive those who have wronged us as we would hope for forgiveness. May those whose eyes are closed in prayer open them to see anew the radiance of your hope, Lord Jesus, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 433 (On the 23rd Psalm)

Icon- Jesus as the Good Shepherd

(Based on Psalm 23)

God is our shepherd and provider,
You claim us as your own.

God leads us into pastures that supply all our needs;
You give us rest and security.

God refreshes and revives our souls anew;
leading us into truth, 
trusting us to follow and glorify God's Name.

You shield us by your strength and vigilance;
when trials approach us, 
we have no fear, 
for You hold us in your hand 
even when the darkness of death looms.

You provide a rich banquet for us even as enemies look on;
You have consecrated us and blessed us abundantly.
Your steadfast promise of love enfolds us,
and goodness and mercy are our sure companions 
as You lead us through our lives.

We rest securely in your arms,
and our home is with You forever.

O Shepherd, hear the call of your people and gather them close, especially those we now name.

Amen.

God is our help- Prayer for Day 432

Almighty God, we thank you for your ever-present help in times of trouble, and for uplifting us in times of joy. May we be guided by the Light of your Wisdom and Love to seek the more excellent way of life in You. Help us to forgive those who have wronged us and acknowledge our own great faults and errors. Help us to dedicate ourselves anew to a right relationship with each other. We thank You for the blessings of children and friends. Tend to the sick, the weary, and the downhearted, for your Love's sake, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 431

Almighty God, we kneel before You as the wings of dawn brush open our eyes to know the beauty of your creation. Our hearts are firmly fixed upon your kindness, and filled with your mercy which flows over us like a south wind. We rejoice in our salvation, Lord Christ, for you have called us back from the precipice of death and self-destruction. Draw us deeper into communion with You, O Source of Life and Light, that your will and your way may be our delight. Guard our loved ones this day, O God, and uplift them by the power of your Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Prayer 430

Lord Jesus, with sighs of gratitude we are drawn within your saving embrace: with joy may we bear your love into the world. 

May we make your Church not just a place of refuge but a haven of justice, empowerment, and peace. 

Let us be known by our open-heartedness and compassion in place of pride and hunger for power. Let us be known by our love and faithfulness in the midst of selfishness and adversity. Let us be known by our service to those poor in body or in spirit, that we all know the abundance of Your mercy. 

May we remember your tender watchfulness over us, and lay before You the prayers of our hearts.

Amen.

Prayer for Holiness (Day 429)

Bend near, O God, to those who seek you. Quiet our hearts so that we may know your Spirit and your Truth. Give us the faith to let go and allow You to guide and direct us today. Make us agents of peace and justice for those who suffer oppression or prejudice. Protect those who struggle to recover from disaster. Strengthen us to act for the common good for the creation of a just society. Give comfort to the weary and the worried. We place before your our concerns and thanksgivings for these, your beloveds.

Amen.

Prayer 428

Loving God, shine your lovingkindness upon us in the morning; let us walk in blessing and peace through the hours of the day. Let us still our minds to hear your invitation to us to truth and love; send your holy angels to call us to life and good news. Make us radiant in answering your call: fill our hearts with joy in serving You. Make us a blessing this day to all we meet, and let us work together in amity to seek the common good. Safeguard the hopes of all who long to hear your voice, and hear the entreaties of those who call upon You.

Amen.

Prayer 427

O Lord God, it is a new day: let us draw near to You in spirit and in truth. Give us the courage to be healed of the fears that plague us; let them be driven away by the trust we have in You. Stretch out your hand and heal us, Lord Christ, of our hardness of heart and our stubborn pride, that we may serve You with joy. Awaken us to the promise of life in You, and set our feet upon the path of love and truth. Look with favor upon those whose needs we bring before You, and send your Spirit to tend their needs, especially those we now name.

Amen.

Prayer 426

Almighty One, we gather before your altar to worship You: your song is on our lips night and day. Let us open ourselves to the guidance of your Holy Spirit: may we be a creative force for blessing in your creation. Let us take delight in each other, and see the light of Christ that shines from each countenance we encounter today. Let us trust in the power of truth, sing with singleness of heart, and raise up our praise to your Almighty Love. In all we do, let us be what we believe. Let us pray for the needs of others and for ourselves, for the vulnerable, the sorrowing, and those enduring through trial

Prayer 425

O God, You called us to rest from all our labors as You rested after creation: let us take this moment to rest in You. 

Bear us up as boats are lifted by the tide, and carry us in the current of your Love. Breathe upon us, Breath of Heaven, and lift us up as a cloud of witnesses to your goodness and mercy. Fill us with your inspiration, O Holy One: to love and take joy in each other, and to seek to be a blessing to all we meet. 

We praise You for our manifold blessings, and we ask your help for those in need of comfort.

Amen.

Prayer 424

O God, You are our strength and our redeemer: may we go forth into this day under the banner of peace. May we be grateful for your watching over us, and seek to serve You night and day. May your love be a song upon our lips, that our words be a beacon to those who feel alone. May we do your will with joy in our hearts, and center ourselves within the Body of Christ. May we be strong in faith, and faithful in loving You and each other. Loving One, send your angels to lend your aid to all who call upon You.

Amen.

Prayer 423

Almighty God, we thank you for your ever-present help in times of trouble, and for uplifting us in times of joy. May we be guided by the Light of your Wisdom and Love to seek the more excellent way of life in You. Help us to forgive those who have wronged us and acknowledge our own great faults and errors. Help us to dedicate ourselves anew to a right relationship with each other. We thank You for the blessings of children and friends. Tend to the sick, the weary, and the downhearted, for your Love's sake, especially those we now name.

Amen.