prayer – Wandering and Wondering

Caught Short by Your Own Prayer

Have you ever written or read a prayer that has stopped you short?

These past few weeks have been incredibly busy; and today as I rush to get everything done for Sunday, I came by these prayers in my own liturgy:

Photo from St. Scholastica Priory, Petersham, MA

Prayer of Transformation / Confession (DMA)

God of Majesty and Might,
We struggle sometimes in placing
you as priority. We struggle with time,
our commitments, with needs and desires, with
the limits of our attention. Please help
us to do as we say we wish. Teach us
practices that help us center you in
our lives. Lead us in ways that will
strengthen our faith. Help us cut free
of our distractions. Let us be and live
as the disciples we are called to be.

Affirmation of Love / Assurance of Pardon (DMA)

Jesus said, “Follow me,” and the
disciples dropped what they were doing and
followed. We too are called to follow.
Let us find what that means for us.
Jesus loved his disciples and he loves
you, even if you struggle in the following.

As I read the words, I thought to myself, “Whoops! I’m off kilter.” For me, it is not a matter of what more I can get done, but the reverse: have I stopped or slowed to sit with Jesus for a moment? Have I read scripture – not because I’m preparing for a Bible Study or a sermon, but because I just want to luxuriate in the word? Have I prayed not because I’m praying for someone else or writing liturgy, but because I need to talk to God?

What I realized today from the incitement of my own writing is that it is time for a breath and a short walk with Jesus . . .

I pray that these words might inspire you as well. If you need to be reminded to act on behalf of Christ then hear that; and if you need to be reminded that Jesus is calling you simply to sit at his feet, then do that. Either way, may the love of God be with you today.

Holding the World in our Hearts

This altarscape metamorphosized throughout a series on the Exodus. Each story led us to glue back a portion of the broken vase and restore it from a broken vessel to a whole one.

When we gather in worship, it is important that we think not only about ourselves or of only of our congregation, but for those beyond our walls. Such pastoral prayers not only name the needs of the world, but also opens our hearts and grows our compassion.

Here are a few prayers of the people that you are welcome to use or adapt for your worship –

Pastoral Prayer 1

This prayer is interwoven with the refrain of a Taizé song “O Lord, hear our prayer.” (Click if you want to hear this song.)

Holy and harmonizing one, we pray today for the world. For its minerals and ore, for its aquifers and soil. We pray for the earth’s mountains and streams; oceans and springs. We pray for its health and its healing, for its well-being and for its future.

Sung: O Lord hear our prayer. O Lord hear our prayer. When I call, answer me . . .

We pray today for the animals of the earth: those that have gone extinct and those we are driving to extinction. We pray for animals whose habitats are being threatened and destroyed, whose migration patterns are being hidden by bright human-made light or by changed weather patterns. May we become more aware of our impact on the world around us and have more regard for our finned, feathered, and four footed friends.

Sung: O Lord hear our prayer. O Lord hear our prayer. When I call, answer me . . .

We pray for the children of the earth: those that are running out of time due to inadequate nutrition, those being hurt and harmed by those they love and trust, and those dealing with troubles much more advanced than their age. We pray that all children are safe, have the food they need to grow and thrive. We pray that children know they are loved and have a community around them that supports them.

Sung: O Lord hear our prayer. O Lord hear our prayer. When I call, answer me . . .

We pray for the people of the earth: those that are dealing with new diagnosis, those that have chronic conditions, those that have terminal diseases. We pray for those that are struggling physically, mentally, spiritually. We pray for those having financial difficulties and for those whose money and perceived security has become more important than the people in their lives. We pray that every person on earth knows they are loved by you and is allowed to find and express their gifts and talents. We pray that everyone has support people around them so that they never feel alone.

Sung: O Lord hear our prayer. O Lord hear our prayer. When I call, answer me . . .

We pray also for those who are specifically on our hearts today . . .

(lift up those on our hearts)

May God make God’s self known to each of those we have named. May God comfort and care for them. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Pastoral Prayer 2

Today, as we think of the courage of Hannah, we pray for the people in the world that are often counted as insignificant and rarely are able to have their voices heard in the halls of power:

We pray for children . . . for their safety and their future.

We pray for the immigrant . . . often overlooked and undervalued.

We pray for the people in line at soup kitchens or food banks. May their needs be heard, seen, and met.

We pray for people with developmental delays who are infantilized.

We pray for elderly who are sometimes looked past and looked over.

We pray for the people being pushed out of generational homes because of the costs of insurance and taxes.

We pray for people of color who are being systematically silenced through the establishment of new voting districts.

We pray for the people who are being told to be quiet, to sit down, and to conform.

We pray for all the people struggling to have their challenges heard in the cacophony of a loud word.

Today, Lord, hear their prayers.

We pray also today for those specifically on our hearts:

(Lift up the names of those on our hearts out loud.)

May you wrap each in a cocoon of love and help them to access the resources that they need. May you inspire others to join in service that there might be an upswelling of care and consideration.

We pray all of this in the name of Jesus, who taught us to pray saying:

(Recite the Lord’s Prayer.)

Pastoral Prayer 3

Today we think and pray for the goodness in the world:

For the people who have gone out of their way to be kind.

We pray for the person that found your wallet and returned it,

for the ones who have held the door open, even when you haven’t needed it.

We pray for the person who offered you a smile today,

or a tissue when you have needed it.

We pray for the person who waved you into traffic

Or who complemented you on your clothes today.

We pray for the wait staff who refilled your coffee

And the friend who brought you over some vegetables from their garden.

We pray for the person who carefully packed your packages to make sure that nothing was broken,

And the person who let you borrow their last favorite book.

In a world where disconnection sometimes seems to be the norm,

We give thanks for all the people who have offered kindness.

[Take a moment in silence to give thanks for people who have been kind to you]

We pray also this day for:

We pray this day too, the prayer which Jesus taught us which says:

(Recite the Lord’s Prayer.)

Prayer Creation and Expansion

One of the ways that I often “create” a prayer for a season is by choosing a prayer that someone else wrote. I use their version the first week and then adapt it each week moving forward. This way the thread runs in a way that keeps consistency, AND it offers variety.

This season I have been working with a prayer offered by Howard Thurman, “I Confess” from Meditations of the Heart. Here is the original:

Prayer of Confession:

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Here are the many ways I altered it. Some perhaps better than others:

Week 2 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

Some have money that stretches beyond imagination and cannot be used in a single lifetime, while others struggle to fill their needs.

Some have multiple homes while others live in only a cardboard box.

Some throw their food in the dumpsters as excess, while others scrounge the same dumpster for dinner.

All claim a hope for the future and yet we bicker and get stuck in details, often moving no plan forward.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in all of my decisions.

I have left to others a real work of blazing Jesus’ way in the world.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace in sustainable ways; and sometimes confuse peace for ignoring those who are being crushed under the foot of injustice.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 3 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

We are blessed with more than any generation before us; and yet, we focus on what we lack rather than what we have.

We have made incredible technological breakthroughs; and yet, we use our accomplishments to break people’s spirits and diminish their value.

Our lifespans are longer than ever; and yet, instead of focusing on enriching our time, we worry about age spots, grey hair, and hold each other to unrealistic youthful expectations.

In a time where transportation allows us to traverse the world, we simultaneously try to bar the world from our door.

We are made up of series of contradictions; and sometimes we fail to realize the gaps between what we believe and how we act, between what we say we want and how we live;

And so, in this moment,

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities.

I have not always been wise in my ways.

I have left others to suffer for my benefit.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have worked and acted against it.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 4 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There are houses that sit with empty bedrooms,

There are people with empty houses,

There are dorms and hotels with empty beds

and yet there are people without a place to rest their head.

There are meals left uneaten,

There are garbage heaps filled with so called out-dated food that is still good to eat,

There is food rotting in barns and storage containers,

And yet there are people without enough food to sustain them.

There are children who need families

and families who want children but too much red tape between the two for them to meet.

There are cures for illness and disease and people suffering,

but there is not the desire or inclination to make sure that all have the access they need.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities.

I have not always been wise.

I have left to others what I should do.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 5 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

Instead of true joy – people seem to act as if projecting “joy” and “happiness” is enough.

Instead of deep personal relationships – people seem satisfied with likes, shares, and follows.

Instead of looking into a person’s heart- too often people are judged by their hair, their clothes, or their car.

It seems that we have replaced reality with facade.

I confess my own share in these ills

Through the judging of others; and on trying to present ourselves, rather than just be ourselves.

I have shirked my own responsibility in creating and responding to authenticity.

I have held my own biases and prejudices without deeply challenging them.

I have have failed at being as welcoming as I could be.

I have been concerned about my own appearance, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not fully created spaces where people can be fully themselves.

I have not worked as diligently for inclusivity as I should; I want diversity, and yet there are still areas that I get caught up in societal norms and expectations.

I have dimmed my own self that I may not rock the boat and in doing so, I have not made space for others to themselves.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 6 – Adapted Version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

Where some live grand lives; others barely eek out an existence,

Where some voices are amplified; others are muted and silenced,

Where some have freedoms abounding; others are treated as objects and slaves.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities to both learn our history and speak on behalf of others who are being mistreated.

I have not been courageous enough to look glaringly into the injustices that others proclaim.

I have left to others the responsibility to teach, to speak out, and to advocate.

I have been too self-centered to concern myself with how inexpensive products are made or how coffee makes it to my table, or who is mining the precious ores from our earth.

I have not adequately concerned myself with what others are forced to do for my convenience and comfort.

I have not really cared about the lives of others, but have been content with overlooking process in exchange for product.

I must acknowledge that there are ways that I have not worked for peace; but I have worked against it.

I have kept silent when I should be speaking out.

I have stood back when I should be standing up.

I have enjoyed the benefits of the world, when perhaps I should be limiting my take.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 7 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

We suffer from isolation; and we’re the first to retreat to our homes and shut the door.

We all experience heartache and pain; and we’re the first to hope some will not really respond when we say, “How are you today?”

We have experienced loss and often deal with bouts of grief; and sometimes we are the ones wondering if someone is feeling better yet.

We know the world can feel overwhelming; and sometimes in words and actions we tell others to have a stiff upper lip or ourselves hide our true feelings.

I confess that I struggle both with my own feelings and sometimes with the feelings of other – sometimes I push down my feelings, sometimes I don’t make space for others feelings, sometimes I perpetuate a world where everything seems like it should be bright and shiny.

Help me, O Lord, to be express my own feelings with truth and to make space for others.

Help me to find connection rather than executing cut off.

If I want peace and wholeness, then I have to work toward honesty and allow for others to be their whole selves and be my own full self.

I pray today that you will let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to both live in light and in shadows and to allow for the space for others too to express both the good and the challenging. I courageously pray for a kind and accepting world that aims toward love and acceptance. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 8 – Adapted Version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I see confusion.

I see discomfort.

I see struggle.

I see despair.

AND

I see hope.

I see beauty.

I see repair.

I see joy.

I confess that sometimes I magnify the trouble, and minimize the hope.

I confess my own share in the turmoil of the times.

I acknowledge that I forget to bring my troubles to you. I forget to stop and breathe. I forget to pause before I respond.

I acknowledge that sometimes it is easier to retreat; and sometimes it is easier to ignore.

I acknowledge that sometimes I forget to look for the ways that are available to me to rewrite the story or reframe what has happened.

Sometimes I get so caught up in what I am experiencing that I forget to look at my siblings in the world or the world itself.

I know that I cannot always change what has happened, but often I have more power than I know to change whatever happens next.

I want peace and wholeness, but I become paralyzed.

I silence my own voice assuming that what is is what is.

I pray this day that you might let your light burn in me so that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers. I pray that I might seek the light, reflect the light, and be the light. May I courageously stand in the tempest knowing you are with me. May I, to the best that I can, live into the world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

Life is not easy AND God never leaves us to face it alone. Emmanuel – God with us – reminds us of God’s great love and presence especially in times of trouble. Know you are loved.

Week 9 – Adapted Version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 10 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 11 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

Week 12 – adapted version

The concern which I lay bare before God today is:

My concern for the life of the world in these troubled times.

I confess my own inner confusion as I look out upon the world.

There is food for all — many are hungry.

There are clothes enough for all — many are in rags.

There is room enough for all — many are crowded.

There are none who want war — preparations for conflict abound.

I confess my own share in the ills of the times.

I have shirked my own responsibilities as a citizen.

I have not been wise in casting my ballot.

I have left to others a real interest in making a public opinion worthy of democracy.

I have been concerned about my own little job, my own little security, my own shelter, my own bread.

I have not really cared about jobs for others, security for others, shelter for others, bread for others. I have not worked for peace; I want peace, but I have voted and worked for war.

I have silenced my own voice that it may not be heard on the side of any cause, however right, if it meant running risks or damaging my own little reputation.

Let Thy light burn in me that I may, from this moment on, take effective steps within my own powers, to live up to the light and courageously to pay for the kind of world I so deeply desire. AMEN

Assurance of Love

God calls us to confess not so that we may be paralyzed, but so that we might be free to make new choices. Receive God’s love and God’s call to abundant life.

As you can see, I began playing with it more and more, letting the words of Howard Thurman himself push me deeper and deeper into the ideas he lifted up. I almost what it might look like if I continued to play with it into the future. Alas, we will move onto another season.

Prayer of Transformation w/ Assurance of Love

Prayer of Transformation

God of love and liberation, soften my heart.
Dissolve my walls of resentment.
When time, money, or resources are short,
do not tighten my fist or make excuses for why I deserve
what is being withheld from others.

Inspire my compassion.
Encourage my creativity.
Help me find mutually beneficial solutions
that do not rely on the binary: in/out, with/without, worthy/unworthy.
Remind me of the kingdom of which you dream.
Call me into its creation. Amen.

Affirmation of Love

Hear God’s call in your heart.
Jesus said, “Follow me.”
Set down your prejudices, your pre-determined ideas, your perception.
Remember: all who abide in God abide in love,
and all who abide in love abide in God.
Be love.

Incarceration Sunday

Here is a Call to Worship, Invocation, and Prayer of the People from our Incarceration Sunday, when we consider the issues around incarceration and our prison system. This weekend we focused on a wonderful program in MA, called Partakers and the long standing relationships that can come from mentoring someone who is incarcerated.

Call to Worship (DMA)

Pastor: Jesus could have spent time only with the rich and the powerful;

People: instead, he knelt on bended knee.

Pastor: Jesus could have spent his time gathering prestige and power;

People: instead, Jesus sought out the troubled, the wayward, the lost, and the least.

Pastor: Jesus could have reached out for the crown of an earthly king;

People: instead, he lifted up the lowly.

Pastor: Jesus made straight the crooked path

People: and smoothed out the rough road.

Pastor: Jesus looked to the margins and welcomed all in.

ALL: Jesus reminded us that all are worthy of God’s love and redemption.

Invocation: (DMA)

Holy One of Grace and Mercy, We come before you to learn the way of Christ. We come before you to ask forgiveness for the times we wandered and stepped in front of our siblings in need. We come before you to offer praise and thanksgiving for all you are and all you have done. Meet us here in this time and place that we might, through community, get to know you more fully. AMEN

Prayer of the People (DMA)

Our prayer, O Lord, extends today beyond unexpected borders – not national borders, but borders that we create right here in our country: borders that come in the form of bars and borders that take the form of quiet exclusion.

We pray for the youth that are caught in juvenile courts. We pray that at least one adult will be able to get through to them. We pray that they might know their value and worth. We pray for their future and their safety.

We pray for the youth that get tried as adults, who are pressed up into a system that fails to take into account the psychology of development. We pray for their protection, for their ability to endure a harsh system, for their resilience.

We pray for the first time offender – for all the steps that brought them to this place. We pray for their future. We pray for the possibility of restorative justice that might allow them to reintegrate with the community.

We pray for the reoffender, for the many who do not see options or have alternate opportunities. We pray for a system that sometimes looks for the slip up. We pray for the challenges they face once the word “criminal” or “felon” is attached to their name.

We pray for the lifers – especially for those who have used the time well and done the work that needed to be done and yet are not eligible for release.

We pray for our criminal justice system which often puts more weight on retribution than on restoration and rehabilitation.

We pray for the families of those incarcerated and the challenges they face because their loved one is behind bars.

And of course, we pray for the victims and all who have been hurt and harmed.

May we work toward a world where pain and suffering are no more.

Lord, hear our prayer. We pray in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together saying: (Insert the Lord’s prayer as your church says it)

Annual Meeting prayers

Picture by me as well from a writing group I participate in.

Here are four prayers (two opening and two closing) that I have used for annual meetings. Please feel free to recite them directly, adapt them, or use them as jumping off points for your own creation.

Opening One –

Holy One, As we enter into our meeting today, let us turn our attention to you. Let us listen with the intent to understand, even if we disagree. Let us wonder about purpose. Let us ask questions to learn. Let us look for the Spirit who guides us and for your son’s footprints in our work. Let us, with intention, seek you in all we do. We give thanks for all that you have done through us and look forward to where you may lead us next. AMEN

Closing One –

Gracious God, We thank you for this time together. We are thankful for the good work that these gathered people have done over the past year. We pray that as we go forward, we will continue to serve you well and, in your name, the community of Wolfeboro and beyond. May you bless all who are here today and those that were not able to be present. May we all work together to continue to manifest your kin-dom* in this world. AMEN

*For information on the use of the word “kin-dom” see the work of Ada María Isasi-Díaz.

Opening Two –

Holy creator God,

As we gather to do the business of the church, we pause to pray.

Remind us of our purpose.

Encourage us to listen and speak with good intention.

Help us to honor those who came before us without being shackled to bygone ways.

Inspire us to make your church new for every generation.

May we translate numbers and columns into people and missions and may we honor your and each other in our time today. AMEN

Closing Two –

Wondrous God, who weaves creation,

Thank you for the attention and intention we brought to today’s meeting.

We give thanks to all who worked toward, wrote for, and reported in today’s meeting.

We celebrate the mission and ministry this church.

We pray for our continued work in this particular place and time.

We praise you and hope that all we do and say honors you.

Bless all who gave up their time to be here today.

May we all continue to be church in all we do. AMEN

Pastoral Prayer for Eco-Sunday

Eco-Sunday is a Sunday where our prime purpose is to celebrate creation and to commit to our care to it. This year we have guest speaker Rev. Jim Antal coming to speak. To prepare for his presence, we will be reading his book, Climate Church, Climate World.

Not only is our worship wound around this theme, but the Faith in Action Team of the church is hosting an Eco-vendor showcase where environmental action groups can come and share their information with us following worship.

For this service, I wrote the following Pastoral Prayer. If you choose to borrow it, you will want to find out what native nations lived (and live) on the land you inhabit. You will want to perhaps change the animal that is the “annoyance” like our black flies. As well, change out the NH granite, majestic mountains, and other NH centric notations like the loon’s cry.

You are welcome to use it for any religious or educational purposes, but please cite me as the author. All rights are reserved.

Pastoral Prayer

Creator, who continues to create,

Today we expand our thoughts and prayers beyond our traditional boundaries –

We pray for the people of this earth, especially the indigenous people of this land on which we stand today: the Abenaki and Pennecook

And also for the non-human inhabitants of this land.

We pray for the great loon whose cry haunts our lakes,

For the salamanders we sometimes find underfoot,

For the bold American Eagle we see fly overhead,

And for the trout and bass in the waters.

We pray for the water herself as she falls from the sky,

For the the water that gathers and flows down our hills,

For the streams and rivers and lakes

And all that find their home in them and from them.

We pray for the beautiful NH granite and the trees that grow so tall.

We pray for the majestical beautiful mountains that reach tall around us

And for the blessing of their many trails.

We give thanks for the frogs, and ducks,

And reluctantly even for the black flies.

In and amongst it all, we give thanks for you, O God, the creator of all that is was and ever will be; and thanks for a system which constantly seeks to right itself, and for those who have put their names, their reputations, and yes, sometimes their lives on the line to protect all that you have made. Continue to watch over the brave. Care for the weak and remind us all of our interconnectedness. We pray all of this in the name of your son, Jesus Christ who taught us to pray saying:

We follow this with the Lord’s Prayer.

An Easter Blessing / Devotional

I thought this was such a wonderful idea that I asked the deacon of my church if I could share it. She said, “of course!”

At each of our deacon meetings, we start with a devotional or simple prayer. She entwined the two by having us each choose an egg. Inside each egg was a delicious piece of chocolate or jelly beans and a tiny little scroll that she tied closed with a piece of the green grass.

On each of the small scrolls was a line of blessing that when read in any order created a beautiful prayer.

It didn’t matter if all the eggs were taken or only some. It didn’t matter who started or who ended. The prayer in the form of a blessing just continued to unfold.

What blessings can you think of:

May we . . . .

May God . . . .

May the world . . .

Prayer of Transformation

As I planned for Lent this year, I came by this beautiful prayer by Rabbi Jack Riemer, the Likrat Shabbat. I was so taken by the idea that all we have we need, we just have to choose to participate and use what we’ve been given, so for each week of Lent I altered the original slightly to reflect different aspects of where this might be true and used it throughout Lent, excluding Palm Sunday.

NOTE: I find this slight alteration of poems and prayers to be a very effective way to maintain the strand or a theme throughout a liturgical season without becoming too boring. I encourage you to try it and I thank Worship Design Studio creator, Marcia McFee, for teaching it to me.

This is the original by Rabbi Jack Riemer:

We cannot merely pray to you, O God,
to end war;
For we know that You have made the world
in a way
That man must find his own path to peace.
Within himself and with his neighbor.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,
to end starvation;
For You have already given us the
resources
With which to feed the entire world,
If we would only use them wisely.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,
to root out prejudice;
For You have already given us eyes
With which to see the good in all men,
If we would only use them rightly.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,
to end despair,
For You have already given us the power
To clear away slums and to give hope,
If we would only use our power justly.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,
to end disease;
For You have already given us great minds
With which to search out cures and healing,
If we would only use them constructively.

Therefore we pray to You instead, O God,
For strength, determination and will power,
To do instead of just pray,
To become instead of merely to wish.”

Here are the alterations that I added for the subsequent weeks:

Week 2

We cannot merely pray to you, O God,

to mend relationships that we have torn;

You have taught us forgiveness and you encouraged us to ask for forgiveness.

From there, we must work together.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

to end violence;

We must choose to turn away and set down our weapons.

We must open our ears and our hearts

seeking a different path in difficult moments.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

for equality and equity;

We have to be willing to make space

for equality and equity to exist.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

for open hearts,

We too have to be willing to be transformed

and to listen as much as we talk.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

for the restoration of the earth;

We too have to be willing to change our ways,

to take only what we need, to seek new and better ways,

and perhaps to limit our desires.

Therefore we pray to You instead, O God,

For ingenuity, creativity and willingness,

To do instead of just pray,

To become instead of merely to wish.”

AMEN

Week 3

We cannot merely pray to you, O God,

to end strife;

for we know that You have made the world

in a way

that man must put down their weapons

and turn their spears into pruning hooks

and their swords into plowshares.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

to end violence;

for You have already taught us the way of peace.

You have shown us the path of nonviolence

and forgiveness and yet we refuse to follow it consistently.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

to extinguish hatred;

for You have already shown us that we are all siblings,

created in your holy and sacred hand.

You have led us on the path to righteousness,

even if we often veer and stray from the path

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

to end disunity,

for You have called out that we should all be one.

You have encouraged our relationships

and even sent your son so that we might see what is possible.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

to end poverty;

for You have already shown that poverty is a creation of mankind

and not of you.

Therefore we pray to You instead, O God,

for wisdom, clarity, and generous spirits

to do instead of just pray,

to become instead of merely to wish.”

AMEN

Week 4

We cannot merely pray to you, O God,

for all to be well;

For we know that You have invited us into co-creation

so that together we might work for peace.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

for children to have safe housing and full bellies;

For we know that you have already given us the

resources

with which to make this real

if we might only open our hands and our hearts.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

to create a just world;

for you have sent your son to show us the way

and yet too often we ignore the path or wander off.

Help us to find the way to fulfill your hope.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

for the end of want,

for You have already given us the power

to create a more equitable society.

Inspire us to be more diligent in the work before us .

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

to bring an end to suffering;

for we must be willing to do the work necessary to help,

we must be willing to step in and offer help,

we have to be willing to stand up and against wherever the suffering originates.

Therefore we pray to You instead, O God,

For compassion, hope and courage,

To do instead of just pray,

To become instead of merely to wish.”

Week 5

We cannot merely pray to you, O God,

for peace on earth;

We must be willing to work with you hand in hand.

We must be willing to decenter ourselves

and to work toward a common good.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

for the care of our siblings;

we must open our hearts to hear their pain

and be willing to step in and step up on their behalf.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

for kindness to prevail;

We each must take steps each day to make it so.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

for love,

we need to practice love,

we need to grow in love,

and we need to learn to receive love.

We cannot merely pray to You, O God,

for health;

we must participate in creating a healthy world,

in caring for one another,

and participate in our health and supporting the health of others .

Therefore we pray to You instead, O God,

For open minds, open hearts and a willingness to follow,

To do instead of just pray,

To become instead of merely to wish.”

More Lenten Prayers

Call to Worship
Pastor: In the tiredness of the day, Lord,
People: you are there.
Pastor: In the weakness of my soul, Lord,
People: you give me strength.
Pastor: In the chaos of the world, Lord,
People: you ground me and give me courage.
Pastor: You, O Lord, are our ever-present help. Let us rejoice and praise you.

Invocation
Holy One, Meet us here and give us insight to the world and to ourselves so that we can navigate our lives and interactions in a way pleasing to you and to the benefit of all. Help us find balance in the imbalance. Help us find calm in the storm. Be our anchor and our rudder. AMEN

Pastoral Prayer

God who created and cares for each one of us,

We reach to you today to leave at your feet the prayers we hold that are too heavy to bear. Prayers of the hurting, the persecuted, the tired, and the tormented.

We seek your balm to help offer comfort to those who live too often in discomfort.

We seek your peace to soothe the agitated and anxious.

We seek your healing to bring heath and recovery to those who are in physical and mental pain.

Bring healing, peace, and your balm to all who need – those who are both known to us and unknown to us. Search our hearts for the names of those we know, who need you this day and inspire us to care for those whom you know and we may not.

May your grace pour upon all who are in need.

And now let us pray in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to pray together saying:

The Lord’s Prayer

Unison Prayer of Illumination

God, Sometimes we trust our eyes and our mind too much.

Sometimes we let what we believe we know override what you know to be true.

Help us to set down our preconceived perceptions and release our understanding of the world so that your truth may be revealed.

Let us release our expectations so that you can show us your way.

Let us open our heart and hear today’s sacred text. AMEN

Invitation to share

Peter showed Jesus his trust by stepping out of the boat. When do we step out of the boat? When do we begin to let go of control? When do we let “Jesus take the wheel” as Carrie Underwood once sang? One place we can do that is through practicing our generosity. We can open our hands and our hearts and trust that God will meet us there. As you open your hands today to release your offering to God, ponder what you have now made room for.

Unison Prayer of Dedication

God of Grace and hope, Too often we give limitedly, fearful of what giving too much might mean for us. Sometimes, we give just enough for people to notice so that we are seen as generous people. Today though, let us give what is right and good. Let us feel a bit of a pinch as we let go so that we can learn to trust and let us celebrate the fact that we are blessed to be able to give. Accept all that we give and encourage us to give even more through service. AMEN