Posts Tagged ‘love’
November 22, 2020
Today we pray for all those who are sick and dying, the grieving, and those in the healing professions. And as we ask for both wisdom and courage to navigate both our politics and pandemic, we share this Prayer for Putting on a Mask, composed by The Right Reverend Richard Bott who is the current Moderator of the United Church of Canada. May it strengthen our resolve and connection with our neighbors, whenever we wear our masks, and our awareness of the love and generosity of others when we see them wear theirs.
Creator,
as I prepare to go into the world,
help me to see the sacrament
in the wearing of this cloth –
let it be “an outward sign
of an inward grace” –
a tangible and visible way
of living love for my neighbours,
as I love myself.
Christ,
since my lips will be covered,
uncover my heart,
that people would see my smile
in the crinkles around my eyes.
Since my voice may be muffled,
help me to speak clearly,
not only with my words,
but with my actions.
Holy Spirit,
as the elastic touches my ears,
remind me to listen carefully –
and full of care –
to all those I meet.
May this simple piece of cloth
be shield and banner,
and each breath that it holds,
be filled with your love.
In your Name
and in that love,
I pray.
May it be so.
May it be so.
Amen.
Tags:care, compassion, courage, COVID-19, generosity, healing, love, masks, neighbor, pray, Prayer, United States, USA, wisdom
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November 15, 2020
Today’s prayer comes from a statement on healing our country issued by The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, and the Very Rev. Randolph Marshall Hollerith, dean of Washington National Cathedral, on November 7, 2020.
We pray for this nation and for our leaders. We pray for patience and endurance. We pray that as we move forward, no one is left behind. We pray that in all we do, may we be guided by the prophet’s call to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Tags:compassion, faith, harmony, healing, humility, justice, love, mercy, National Cathedral, politics, Prayer, struggle, United States, USA
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October 11, 2020
“Show us your ways O Lord . . . “ (Ps. 25 v. 4-5)
You have shown us a better way Lord. A way of
- compassion,
- love,
- mercy,
- forgiveness,
- generosity,
- patience,
- kindness, and
- self-control.
And you have shown us the way we should not go. A way of
- factions,
- hate,
- oppression,
- anger,
- fear,
- self-absorption,
- death, and
- destruction.
Forgive our missteps and misdirection, and guide us into the better way.
Amen
Tags:anger, compassion, country, factions, fear, finding our way, forgiveness, freedom, future, generosity, greed, guidance, guide, hate, kindness, love, mercy, misdirection, opression, patience, politics, Prayer, self-control, selfishness, United States, USA
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October 4, 2020
We are grateful O Lord.
Grateful for the fall leaves, crisp days and beautiful skies, for love of friends and family, for music that calms and soothes, for books to read, for space to walk and think, and for all that brings us peace.
Grateful for those who serve and care and protect and guide and heal.
Grateful for the generosity of shared food and resources.
Grateful for the resilience of the human spirit.
Grateful for small moments of joy.
Grateful for the forgiveness and forbearance that point us towards a better way.
All this and more assures us that you, our Creator, are creating still.
We are grateful for your presence O Lord. Help us lean into your love in hope and faith.
Amen
Tags:country, faith, future, generosity, grateful, gratitude, hope, love, politics, Prayer, United States, USA
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September 13, 2020
Today’s prayer is adapted from Romans 12:9-21 and 14:17-19.
Teach us to love O Lord –
- to share, not hoard or waste, our resources and assets;
- to welcome the stranger;
- to hate what is evil yet cling to what is good;
- to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer;
- to forgive even those who harm us and ever focus forward on what we might be if we loved others as you do.
Help us to find the ways that lead to peace and mutual learning.
Guide us with your Holy Spirit as we seek the justice, peace, and joy that love can bring.
Support us Lord, as we confront evil, so that we might not be overcome, but might overcome evil with good.
Amen
Tags:country, evil, good, joy, justice, love, overcoming, peace, politics, Prayer, United States, USA
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July 4, 2020
You my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature, rather serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Galatians 5:13-15
Lord, we know that freedom isn’t free and democracy is not self-sustaining.
Both take courage, and persistence, and regard for others.
Help us to do our part.
Help us use our freedom not just to claim “liberty,” but to seek justice for all, to care for one another even if that means wearing a mask, and to reach across partisan divides with love and forgiveness.
Open our eyes and our hearts that we might free those who suffer in our economy from want and need and loss of opportunity, and find ways to prosper together.
Help us to seek your truth and serve you O Lord.
Amen
Tags:courage, democracy, forgiveness, freedom, Independence Day, justice, liberty, love, persistence, prosperity
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June 14, 2020
Lord, we know what to do for you have told us:
to love you and
to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39);
to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:44);
to act justly, to love mercy, to follow with humility the path you set out (Micah 6:8);
to seek wisdom (Proverbs 3:11-24);
to do good and share with others (Hebrews 13:16);
to welcome the stranger and care for the poor (James 1:27, Zechariah 7:9-10);
to grow and bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-26).
But we have become polluted by the world (James 1:27),
aligned with those who divide (Romans 16:17),
entertained and misled by deceit and hypocrisy and slander (1 Peter 2:1),
entranced by the deceitfulness of wealth, and
overwhelmed by the demands of our daily lives (Matthew 13:22, Luke 8:14).
We have wandered from your ways.
Forgive us Lord.
Help us now to put our faith into action, and to build a better world.
Amen
Tags:forgiveness, humility, justice, love, mercy, moving forward, new way, partisan politics, politics, Prayer, United States, wisdom
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May 24, 2020
“. . . There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds a mystery, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.” Hymn of Promise, v. 2, Natalie Sleeth, 1986.
Lord God who knows our future, strengthen our hope in the unseen. (Romans 8:24; 2 Corinthians 4:18)
Guide us through these difficult days towards life and peace. (Romans 8:6)
Help us to persevere that we might know, and share, and build on your love. (Romans 5:1-5)
Help us rise above hate and fear, disrupting factions and finding a better way. (Galations 5:19-26)
Move us forward, O Lord.
Amen
Tags:country, courage, fear, future, hope, love, moving forward, peace, perseverance, politics, Prayer, USA
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May 3, 2020
“Break the bread of new creation where the world is still in pain. Tell its grim, demonic chorus “Christ is risen! Get you gone!” God the First and Last is with us. Sing Hosanna everyone.”
Brian Wren, 1986. Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Chalice Hymnal, #222.
For too long Lord, we have allowed ourselves to be misled by the grim demonic chorus emanating through all of our media and playing to our hates and our fears.
Open our ears that we might hear beyond the shouting, the sneers, the chatter, the dismissals, the deflections.
Help us to hear through the mendacity to find the truths that are aligned with your justice, your wisdom, your mercy.
Open our ears that we might listen for and find the voices of compassion, and knowledge and love.
Help us to hear your hope, your peace. And then help us to follow your word, O Lord.
Amen
Tags:country, justice, listening, love, mendacity, mercy, politics, Prayer, USA, wisdom
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April 26, 2020
“Christ is risen! Raise your spirits, from the caverns of despair. Walk with gladness in the morning. See what love can do and dare.”
Brian Wren, 1986. Christ Is Risen! Shout Hosanna! Chalice Hymnal, #222.
Lord support and guide us as we work to heal the sick, comfort the grieving, shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, reach out to the lonely, and support the unemployed. Help us to think beyond our fears, find joy in those around us, and work for a more peaceful and prosperous world for all. Help us embrace and share the hope that flows from your love, O Lord. Amen
Tags:care, comfor, country, hope, love, peace, politics, Prayer, USA
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Prayers For Our Country 