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.