A prayer for nonviolence

  Gentle companion, shepherd me today,
       beyond my fears and wants.
        Make me let go and rest
   in the green pasture of your grace.
         Lead me along still waters.
          Breathe life into my soul.
    Lead me in the path of loving kindness
for the sake of your delight for the world.

          Even in my darkest valleys,
              shadowed by death,
              in my fear of evil,
             you will be with me;
       your presence and guidance
           are my only security.

    Bring me to the table you set
           with my enemies.
   Drench me in your gentleness.
 May I overflow with your grace.
May kindness and mercy be with me
              all this day;
may I live in your eternal presence
             each moment.
                 Amen.

-Steve Garnaas-Holmes
Unfolding Lightwww.unfoldinglight.net

The spiritual life is about 

becoming more at home

in your own skin.

- - Parker J. Palmer

Post Easter Tide

In your compassion, gracious God,
you hear the cry of the poor, the needy, and the lonely ones.
May we also hear the cries of our brothers and sisters,
responding in love as you have shown us in your Son,
our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

- Elise Eslinger,The Upper Room Worshipbook

“Psalm Prayer” (Psalm 34, adapted)

EASTER TIDE

The Risen Christ is with us and therefore we need not fear the events of this day or any day that lies in our future. We know that each day will be lived in companionship with the only One who is able to rescue, redeem, save, keep, and companion us through every experience of this life and the next.

This realization does not take away the pain or uncertainty that life holds. But it does give us strength, wisdom, guidance, and most of all, a Companion to travel through each of these experiences with us.

- Rueben P. Job
A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God

HOLY WEEK

In the dark night of my soul
I long for someone’s comfort and no one comes.
There is no one to call.
I imagine Jesus in the Garden praying
Until sweat became blood
And even the disciples would not wake.
This night is my garden.
When will help come?
Where is grace?
Will I be able to take one more step?
The dark night passes and no one came.
Or, perhaps Christ was here all along
Leading me into the dawn.

— Naomi Faw

Alive Now, March/April 2012

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday - beginning of Passion Week

Palm Sunday, and also Passion Sunday... With populist fanfare Jesus descends from the Mount of Olives into the valley of the shadows of his death. And we too, following, make our own sharp descent into the maelstrom of the week’s intrigue. …

It is hard work, the work before us this week. If Jesus’ first followers found themselves wishing to go back to the good days before the unpleasantness began or, like us, jumping ahead to the glory they might have imagined lay ahead, like them we have to remain here for a while. For this hour, to this place, this coming trouble — this is where Jesus journeys, and all his disciples, like it or not, must journey with him.

- Thomas R. Steagald
Shadows, Darkness, and Dawn