Lenten Thought

One thing we ask of you, Sheltering God: that when we are afraid

you would bring us into your heart;

that when we lose our way,you would give us gentle guides;

that when we cry out to you,

you would grace us with your presence.

One thing we ask of you, Mothering Christ:

that you gather up our doubtsand transform them into confidence; 

that you surround our fearsand transform them into faithfulness; 

that you pick up our broken livesand transform us into your body.

One thing we ask of you, Spirit of Light:

that you hold so fast to us,  we can stand firm in the Lord; 

that you stick by usso we can wait for the Lord through the long hours of life; 

that you fill us with your gifts,  so we can see the goodness

of the One who comes.

 

-Thom Shuman

www.lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com

Our Prayer

Rescuing God:
your wall of hope
surrounds us in our despair;
your haven of faith 
welcomes us in our unbelief;
your citadel of love
protects us from our anger.

Gracious Word:
you reach out to those 
we would dare not touch;
you greet those
we ignore on a daily basis;
you welcome those
we would close our hearts to.

Holy Spirit:
rest gently upon us,
so we might become kinder people;
caress us with your humility,
so we could let go of our pride;
show us your Way,
so we would not demand ours.

 

-Thom Shuman

www.lectionaryliturgies.com

A PROPHET'S BLESSING

This blessing finds its way behind the bars.

This blessing works its way beneath the chains.
This blessing knows its way through a broken heart.
This blessing makes a way where there is none.

Where there is no light, this blessing.
Where there is no hope, this blessing.
Where there is no peace, this blessing.
Where there is nothing left, this blessing.

In the presence of hate.      In the absence of love.
In the torment of pain.     In the grip of fear.

To the one in need.     To the one in the cell.
To the one in the dark.    To the one in despair.

Let this blessing come as bread.
Let this blessing come as release.
Let this blessing come as sight.
Let this blessing come as freedom.

Let this blessing come.

Jan Richardson

www.thepaintedprayerbook.com

Daily Thoughts

When we are down you raise us up, when we are weak you make us strong;

When we are lost you bring us hope, our Strength, our Saviour and our Song:

            To God be glory all our days!

When we are bound you set us free, when we are wrong you put us right;

When we are blind you let us see our world’s Redeemer and our Light:

            In Christ we come with songs of praise!

Robert Prizeman

PRAYER IS . . .

Right Path!!

Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble; it is a "steering wheel" that directs us in the right path throughout 

EPIPHANY BLESSINGS

The wise men come looking for Jesus. They search the skies. They travel the land. They consult with kings. They ready their gifts. All in the hopes of discovering a small child who might just change the order of things.

Where is the Child in your life today? Where do you discover Jesus, alive and changing the order of things, within you? Take a few moments now to pause, search, and give thanks when you find him within.

How might you ready your gifts so they might be offered well to the Holy Child? What talents or abilities need to be honed, expanded, trained or flexed? How might your sense of gratitude for these gifts be deepened or heightened, so you might offer your gifts to Jesus with the awe and wonder of the sages?

-Mariah Penford

Fellowship Reflections, www.umfellowship.org

New Year's Blessing

Take me into a new year, Gracious God.

Help me to continue looking for meaning,

seeking peace, praying for light,

dancing for joy, working for justice

and singing your praise.

I go into the new year filled with expectations,

a touch of worry, and a bundle of hope.

I do not journey into the new year alone

but with you as my guide,

with a commitment to my disciplines,

with a community of family, friends, and faith.

Take me into the new year, Creator of beauty and wonder.

Bless me with the companionship of Jesus,

and gift me with the guidance and power of the Spirit.

Amen.