Holy One, who put in motion

the swirling plate of stars that cradled us -

We thank You for this intricate grid of life, we are but a minor part of.

We cherish Your blessing of this vital earth,

that staggers to uphold us.

Your shocking brilliance of sunbeams –electrifying branches bejeweled with water droplets, uplifts us.

We thank you for our privileged placement of birth

that affords the homey fragrance of biscuits baking, the crunch of their sugared tops and the rising steam of their downy centres.

You comfort us when we are fevered from the pace of this age,

You lay your cooling hand upon us tenderly and lift our torpor.

We are grateful for Your encompassing cocoon of love

That assures us You are ALWAYS.

 

Luminous One, evoke in us the shimmer of compassion.

Accompany Muslims throughout the world

incited to participate in “Day of Anger” protests against the lampooning of their spiritual leader.

Make us Your beacons of connection in the mists of disappointment.

We pray for wisdom for the planners of the International Peace Forum whose funding for this event was withdrawn this week by Vancouver City Council.

Make us Your chords of light, tossed to those drifting in grief.

We humbly ask for Your dear solace for the families and friends of those who perished in the Red Sea ferry sinking.

We ask especially for your Light Embrace for Ruth Wilson and her family as they prepare for the funeral of her Mother, who died quite suddenly last weekend.

Make us your hearths of community - for the lonely and dispirited.

Join the circles of our Small Groups, as they explore together their understanding of Your Word and pray for one another.

Create in us hearts, radiant with the celebration of service.

 

We thank you for walking us home from our wanderings, Dear One.

When we ache for meaningful direction -

You ignite us to your Divine purpose.

When we are constricted by doubt -

You release our bindings –freeing us -

for the journey of the healing path -

from healed, to healer - in Your circle of service.

For these precious gestures, we thank You.

 

Bright Spark, as day bursts anew

like tentative magenta buds

that promise pink froth -

Call us to seek the quiet places -

To be wholly present with You.

Your attention there is assured.

Beckon us to seek Your heart

in alpine forests clothed in the lacework of granular spring snow.

Dispose us to hear Your most intimate whispers

in the hushed lap of foam upon ancient alluvial sand.

Call us to these sites of stillness -

that we might receive reclamation

And so, transmit it to others,

moment to moment,

in fulfillment of your dream.

As Jesus did.

As Jesus does –

in us and through us, his earthly hands for service.

Shape us, God of Wonder,

As The Carpenter crafted his Disciples

To serve justice, to restore -

and to offer His treasure of “God News”.

May Your love revealed in Jesus

reveal to us new dimensions of possibility -

And inspire us to take up Your mantle of light in service to You.

 

In Jesus name - we pray the prayer he taught us:

Loving God, in whom is heaven
Hallowed be Thy name ...