Prayer

God of Creation,

We marvel today at the change of the seasons. While change is often unwelcome, today it is not. We feel the air turning brisk as we walk down the street; we see leaves letting go, catch the scent of a fire nearby, and—just like that—a change of perspective or a memory triggered. Thank you, God, that we can still be awakened by this world you have given. Help us let go of what hinders, in ways that are healthy and beautiful, in keeping with your good designs. Amen.

Prayer

Where would we be without you, God?

Left to our own devices in a world of upheaval, we struggle to find secure footing. Living on guard, knowing that one wrong step is all it could take to trigger disaster: one lost paycheck, one bad accident, one poor decision. Our lives often feel fragile, Lord. Show us your mercy. By your sustaining power, may we walk into the future you’ve planned for us—confident, and trusting your goodness. Amen.

Prayer

God of Wisdom,

We blabber too much! We rant and we rave in a cacophony of monologues. Social media, 24-hr news channels, endless transmissions of bits and bytes without context. What does it all come to? Let our words be few. You are God and we are not. Despite our temptations to “have to say something,” help us relearn the wisdom of silence. And if we must speak—if we truly “have something to say”—give us patience at least just to think before we open our mouths. Inspire us, so that we might use words in the ways that you use them—to create a meaningful world, to build trusting relationships, and to express love above all. Amen.

Prayer

Almighty God,

How good it is that things are. Day and night, sun and moon, stars and planets and galaxies and here we are in wonder and awe. Their very existence gives witness to you, the one above and beyond all this visible majesty. Amazing to think you call us into being, too, and have opened our mouths so that we might glorify you, in the company of saints and along with the rest of creation. Life is so precious! May we commit ourselves daily to cherish this life and vitality abounding through us, with us, and in us, leading us even today to a new heaven and a new earth, where you will be all in all. May it be so! Amen.

Prayer

Holy God,

Your word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. These good words from St. Paul to the Romans illuminate so much for us who walk by faith and yet, if we are honest, sometimes feel like we stumble in darkness. Why the trials? Why the suffering? We want to know why! Guide our searching hearts, God, that we who love you will trust more and more in your goodness. May we see with our eyes the fruit of your promise: that you bring beauty from ashes and light out of darkness. Amen.

Prayer

God of All Comfort,

We admit we are simple; and we find great delight in the simplest of pleasures. May we never forget that you treasure these, too, for you made them and us in this way! When life takes its toll and begins to feel burdensome, let us retrieve the grace of simple prescriptions—the gifts you have laced through creation, to comfort our sorrow and turn us to joy. This, too, is spiritual work of an everyday sort, and for which we are right to say thanks. Amen.

Prayer

Lord of Heaven and Earth,

So many things happen that are beyond our control. The rains will come whether we want them or not. And yet this is a gift we’ve been given: to remain creatures before you. When this is forgotten and we aspire to your place, we lose all our sense and live in delusion, as if we were so powerful as to design our own worlds. So, whatever our tools and the might of our technologies, let us remember you, God, and recall who we are in this world you have made. All of us are farmers in one way or another, planting our seeds of myriad hopes. Be gracious upon our work, Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and may we be glad for the harvest. In your name we pray, Amen.