Week of 9/24/2017

Your justice rolls down like a river, O God, and your righteousness is like an ever-flowing stream. Immerse us in the rushing waters that we may be swept up in your current of love and washed by your mercy. Quench the thirst of all who seek you. Amen.

Week of 9/10/2017

God of Earth, you formed us from the dust, and to dust we shall return. We are sojourners passing through Creation. May we be gracious guests and mindful stewards as we seek to bring forth the healing and renewal of your good world. Amen!

Gifts of the Dark Wood series

We are a wilderness-wandering people | on a journey of the soul. | May we find our destination | in our longing to be whole. | Our Holy God is calling to us | with Jesus by our side. | May compassion be our compass; | may the Spirit be our Guide.  Amen!

Week of 6/4/2017

Loving Creator, Spirit-wind, Flame of justice, blow your Spirit upon us, send it to challenge and comfort us, let it be the lifeblood that pulses through our veins, that we might be made whole and new. Amen!

Week of 5/14/2017

We do not like to face death, gracious God, and we do not like to think of others being in harm’s way. Yet the reality is, if we are to proclaim the gospel, we sometimes put ourselves, and our very lives, at risk. Help us to have the courage we need to proclaim your truth, and remind us always that we are never alone. Amen.

Week of 5/7/2017

While we live in a non-shepherding culture, O God, still we know the power of the image we hold of you as our loving shepherd. You care for us in limitless and timeless ways, caring for each of us as your favorite. Thank you. Amen.

Week of 4/30/2017

At unplanned (by us) moments you come and walk beside us, loving God. You accompany us into unknown places; you challenge us to look at things in new ways; you remind us that we are never alone. Thank you. Amen!

Week of 4/23/2017

We always have questions, O God, even when we don’t want to admit it. There are things with which we struggle, things that confuse us, things that make us wonder. Yet you are with us through all of that—not condemning us, but continuing to love us. Thank you. Amen!

Week of 4/16/2017

God of resurrection joy, too often the world wants us to look at things dimly, pessimistically, as if there is no hope. In the midst of this, you come to us, and in acts such as raising Jesus from death, and calling us by name, you proclaim that your word is not “no” but is a never-ending and life-affirming “Yes!” Thank you. Amen.

Week of 4/9/2017

Loving God, we dare to read the harsh story of this day because we know the ending, and the ending is not death. Yet let us pause here for a while, and absorb the powerful truth of this story. Let us reflect on our participation in the death of Jesus Christ, that we might ever more celebrate the new life offered to us in his resurrection. Amen.

Week of 4/2/2017

O God, it seems that we can always find a reason to give up on life. Help us not to do that. Help us to look beyond all the despair we encounter in daily newscasts. Help us to see that you are indeed present in our lives, daring to bring hope in the midst of it all, and challenging us to do the same. Amen!

Week of 3/26/2017

It can be difficult, O God, to accept your ways of seeing, which challenge us and call us to look in new and fresh ways at the world around us. Where we thought we knew what we were looking at, help us to see beyond—to the newness you always find within. Amen.

Week of 3/19/2017

Life-giving God, sometimes we complain; sometimes we come timidly and dare not ask; sometimes we forget the amazing ways you are with us. And yet, still you offer us grace upon grace, new life in abundant measure. Thank you. Amen.

Week of 3/12/2017

Loving God, sometimes, we are scared to trust. We know we should, and we want to, but our world’s obsession with certainty and appearing to be in control can get in the way. Open us, God. Make us vulnerable. Teach us not to be afraid, but to trust in your goodness and grace. Amen.

Week of 3/5/2017

Travelling Companion God, journeys and new things can seem daunting, even overwhelming. Yet somewhere in our heart of hearts, no matter what, we know that you are with us as we venture forth. Remind us, throughout the journey, that your grace upholds our every moment. Amen.

Week of 2/26/2017

Holy God, you encounter us in places where we seek you, and in places where we flee from you. Ease our fears. Open our ears and eyes to you, wherever and in whomever you reveal yourself to us. Prepare us to journey as you call. Amen.

Week of 2/19/2017

God whose love knows no limits and whose embrace extends to all, stir within us a deepening thirst for the righteousness that Jesus taught and embodied, a way of being in right relationship that first respects and honors before anything is expected in return. Amen!

Week of 2/12/2017

God of our deepest yearnings, grant us devoted hearts that seek to listen, think, and feel anew. Amen!

Week of 2/5/2017

Light of the world, be our light today. Creator of life, preserve our life this day. Holy God, pour out your righteousness on this day. Light of the world, we praise you with our hearts, songs, and minds. Amen.

Week of 1/29/2017

Pull on our hearts this day, O God. Unbind our lives from the conventions of this world, we pray. Amen!

Week of 1/22/2017

Inviting God, you call us to follow in many ways: to witness with public deeds of justice; to the quiet work of companionship; to proclaim your truth in stirring speeches; and to sing your love. Invite us to follow you by respecting the many different ways of witness, and rejoicing that we have so many chances to answer your call. Amen.

Week of 1/8/2017

“New Day” /// O God / you who promise to make all things new: / does that include me? / Will you make me new? / Cleanse me from top to toe, / renew my heart / revise my mind / revive my worth. / For I am poured out, / emptied, / ready to be filled: / but with what? / Fill me with your gracious self, / O God. / Be you / In me. /// © Donald Schmidt. Used by permission.

Week of 12/18/2016

O God, we await your presence among us in the form of our great teacher and healer, Jesus. Give us courage, like Joseph, to live according to your will and dream for the world. Grant us patience and open our hearts as we receive Christ’s presence in our lives. Amen.

Week of 12/11/2016

Loving and awesome God, in you all things are possible. We join in Mary’s song and lift our praise and hope to you. You do not abandon us. May your transforming grace and promise of justice live in our hearts this Advent as we align our hearts with yours. Amen.

Week of 12/4/2016

You love us, O God. Open our hearts to face, with courage, a broken world in need of healing and justice. Our fragility reminds us that we need you, and we need each other. Help us tune into the best parts of ourselves and our child-like qualities, as you accompany us to surrender to your deep vision of peace. Amen.

Week of 11/27/2016

O This Night is Dark
1 Cor 15; Psalm 126; Isaiah 2; Amos 9; Isaiah 65

O this night is dark indeed
While we’re waiting for the light.
For the nations to be judged
And the powers to be put to shame.
O Lord, spare your poor, save our souls
From our violence, oppression, fear, and anxiety.

Although I am weeping
Lord help me keep sowing
Seeds for the day when your peace
Will arise with the dawn
When the bombs we are dropping
And the guns that keep firing
Melt in the face of the just,
When Your kingdom comes.

Now I sow in tears,
That one day I might reap with joy
When the mountains drip with wine
And we beat, beat, beat our swords
Into plowshares.

—Tom Wuest

Providing Safe Space, 11/18/2016

Good and gracious God, Who loves and delights in all people, we stand in awe before You, knowing that the spark of life within each person on earth is the spark of your divine life.

Differences among cultures and races are multicolored manifestations of Your Light.

May our hearts and minds be open to celebrate similarities and differences among our sisters and brothers.

We place our hopes for racial harmony in our committed action and in Your Presence in our Neighbor.

May all peoples live in Peace.
AMEN.

Week of 11/13/2016

Creator of heaven and earth, you enable us to rejoice even in times of sadness, loss, and discouragement. Through your creative presence, transforming old ways into new possibility, you fill our hearts with joy, calling us to share in the promise of your unfolding love. Amen.

Standing at Standing Rock, 11/3/2016

Creator, You loved creation into being. Your goodness is present in the land and waters, in the creatures and peoples You created. You call us to be in right relation with all living things. Be present today, and every day, where people stand in peaceful defense of your creation. We recognize Your presence in Standing Rock, with Indigenous peoples who are protecting the waters. May we also be present in spirit and in truth. We recognize Your presence in our own country where Indigenous peoples also stand peaceably in defense of land and waters. May we be present in witness and solidarity. We recognize and repent for the violence that has marked relations with Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island. We claim your challenge of truth and justice, and your promise of healing and reconciliation. In Your mercy, help us move forward in a good and just way. Amen.

Week of 10/30/2016

Holy God, your wisdom has formed all that has been, that is, and that shall be. Thanks for revealing your glorious ways in Christ and in the lives of all your saints. Strengthen us to live faith-filled lives, with confidence in your eternal love. Amen.

Week of 10/23/2016

Dance with us, Holy Partner, and show us how to step humbly into life with you. Lead us with arms of strength and steps of grace. Help us to be righteous: raise us when we are low, and gently bring us down when we have jumped too high. Love us into wholeness, we pray. Amen.

Week of 10/16/2016

God is not the judge, but the widow.
Jesus says, “Do not judge,” but still we judge.
We fail to fear God and respect other people.
God comes to us among the powerless, the orphan, the widow, the Crucified One, pleading for justice.
So busy with what we want, we don’t hear what God wants.
But God keeps coming, keeps pleading for justice.

She does not shout, does not lift up her voice,
but calmly, confidently, again and again she comes.
She will wear us out with her continual coming,
until we do justice.

Persistent God,
help us listen to your cries in the poor,
to your whisperings in our hearts,
to the light in your silence.
We still our minds, cease our judging, and listen.
In our hearts, a river flowing, we listen.
In the unsaid billion prayers, we listen.
We keep praying and do not lose heart.

-Steve Garness-Holmes

Week of 10/9/2016

Take nothing for granted,
even sunlight or breathing.
Don’t let your privilege blind you
to the sheer underserved miracle
of your blessings.
Don’t think you're entitled
to colors or conversation.
Let gratitude overwhelm you,
sneak up behind you
and lift you off your feet.

Pick anything to practice on—
the sunlight on the poorly painted ledge
of the apartment across from yours,
standing as if ready to leap off
into your arms—
pick something, and give thanks.

When someone asks you how you are today
say, “Grateful,”
then use the surprised pause
to think of what for.
The person looking at you quizzically
may give you a hint.

—Steve Garnaas-Holmes