Prayer

Joyous Creator,

You made us to smile, and this truly is gift. Would we even know who we are, without the smile of another? (Consider the smile of the mother… the infant’s locked gaze... being loved in that smile…) The smile of another brings us out of these shells and we can feel ourselves touched, almost in spite of ourselves.

In myriad ways you smile on us, too, Lord. And it’s something to ponder and praise, that the greatest hilarity shared here on earth must pale in comparison to the rejoicing that’s shared wherever you are, in the fullness of your glorious life. Are you not the source of all joy? The one in whom our very own light and life are found? Are you not the one who turns mourning into dancing? May it be so, Happy God, that our faces will beam and your glory redound. Amen.

Prayer

Unchanging God,

The psalmist inspires. Yet if we are honest, there is, in fact, much that disturbs us. Turbulence, uncertainty, dangers and threats. Strengthen our faith and lead us, Good Shepherd; lead our weary souls to find rest in you alone, and may we make every effort to enter therein.

Prayer

Almighty God,

It is both awesome and awful to realize how much you trust us. You actually want us, invite us, and empower us to make your dreams for the world a reality. Oh dear God, teach us to pray! Beyond clever words and beyond our own schemes, may we desire above all to be filled with your visions, that our hearts and our minds may be ever conformed to your will. Only then may we all play our parts, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Prayer

Creator Spirit,

Thanks to Standing Bear’s words, an immature nation opened its eyes and recognized the one human family refracted in the Native American. How shamefully slow we have been! Refusing to see your image in each other! Forgive us, God, for obdurate blindness, and the willful desire to seek comfort in sameness. May we marvel instead, that your image explodes in so many colors, grateful that creation’s diversity is truly a sign of your goodness. On this celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we remember and affirm once again our fundamental unity, as one human family. Amen.

Prayer

Merciful God,

So many among us are struggling today, with invisible wounds and deep-buried pain. So many hearts hurting, anxious and fearful, while minds go on whirring with worries that won’t go away. We know it is so, for in different degrees we all learn this art and we practice it well: of putting on face, engineering composure, speaking in mottos we hardly believe: “we do what we must” and “this too will pass.” At least so we say!

Yet you, Great Physician, are not easily fooled. You look through façades, you see our true hearts, and—what a thought—you love all of us. Healed by your gaze, help us follow your way, and freely extend your compassion to all those in need. May it be so! Amen.

Prayer

Eternal God,

We know that change is the only constant in life. Yet we also face times when the speed and scale of transition can be near overwhelming. Arrest us, Lord, in precisely those moments. Help us to stop… breathe… and remember… You hold every season in your hand. You have appointed a time for every one of your purposes. Comfort us in that knowledge, restore the sense of our freedom, and grace us to grow in perfection through the changes you give. Amen.

Prayer

God of mercy and justice,

You came that we may have life and have it abundantly. Ignite our desire to realize more and more of what your life means here and now, where the subtle schemes of death our enemy so often prevail: the daily injustices we’re prone to ignore, the lies we’ve been trained to tolerate, the wrongs we think we’re too weak to set right. Against these death-dealing ways, we commit ourselves again this day to choose life, knowing full well what this means: to stand up for what’s right, upholding justice and truth. Amen.