LAUDS: "Thursday Morning Prayers"

I hope you'll freely join me for Lauds, our morning prayers, as the Beloved Community greets each new day in peace and faith.  Let our hearts be opened wide to the invitation of Jesus: to love abundantly, to do justice bravely and to seek the peace of our cities, towns and nations.  Most often I'll stream these prayers on Facebook Live at 9 am, and then post them to the blog a little after that.

PRAYERS FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 9:

Opening Verse
         In the morning when I rise,
         In the morning when I rise,
         In the morning when I rise
         Give me Jesus

        

Peace, Salaam and Shalom to you, dear friends, as light dawns a new day, a day that is both sacred and strange, a day that is both gift and opportunity.  This morning, our time together will include silence for meditation, intercessions for neighbors near and far, and a blessing for your day.  You can find texts of these prayers on my blog: Valley Rise Up.  May our Morning Prayers together bring you courage and connect you to the beloved community of spirit that knows you and calls you friend.

Jesus' Prayer 

   Earth-maker, life-giver, pain-bearer,

   Source of all that is and all that shall be,                   

   Father and Mother of us all,

   Loving God in whom is heaven:
   May the hallowing of your name

   echo through the universe!

   May your heavenly will be done

   by all creatures great and small!

   And may your commonwealth

   of peace and freedom

   sustain our hope and come on earth!

   With the bread we need this day, feed us.

   For the hurt we inflict on one another, forgive us.

   By your grace and mercy,

   strengthen us through seasons of temptation,

   and spare us from trials too great to endure.

   Free us from bigotry and evil, for service and truth.

   For you reign in the glory of the power that is Love.  Amen.

People's Response

         “Jesu Tawapano” (Jesus, we are here for you.)

Five Minutes of Silence & Meditation

You’re invited to experience the active, generous presence of God—in your body, in your soul, in our ruah.  Remember that the Bible uses this one Hebrew word (ruah) for “spirit” and for “wind” and for “breath.”  As we sit quietly and breath mindfully, we are aware of the Spirit’s tender and resilient movement in our lives.

If your mind wanders, do not be harsh or judgmental.  Simply notice the wandering mind, and then return to your breath.  Return to the Spirit who is your companion in prayer.

Prayers of the People

With gratitude for the bonds of friendship, in faithfulness to our calling as the beloved community, we pray now, for one another, for all our neighbors, and for sisters, brothers and friends near and far. 

         Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison.

For those who are sick and ailing, for those who are anxious and frightened, that they may know the generous spirit of grace and have access to the best of care and counsel:

         Kyrie…

For health professionals around the world, for first responders, and for public health servants who are working to provide clear guidance, effective testing and compassionate care:

         Kyrie…

For others we name here and now, that they may know the calming touch of your peace and find comfort and companionship among friends:

         Kyrie…

Mark 14
        Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
        And a strong cord of strength for your many peoples.

         It was two days before Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. The chief 
        priests and legal experts through cunning tricks were searching for a way to arrest 
        Jesus and kill him. But they agreed that it shouldn’t happen during the festival; 
        otherwise, there would be an uproar among the people.

        Jesus was at Bethany visiting the house of Simon, who had a skin disease.  During 
        dinner, a woman came in with a vase made of alabaster and containing very 
        expensive perfume of pure nard.  She broke open the vase and poured the 
        perfume on Jesus' head.  Some grew angry.  They said to each other, "Why waste 
        the perfume?  This perfume could have been sold for almost a year's pay and the 
        money given to the poor."  And they scolded her.

        Jesus said, "Leave her alone.  Why do you make trouble for her?  She has done a 
        good thing for me.  You always have the poor with you; and whenever you want, 
        you can do something good for them.  But you won't always have me.  She has 
        done what she could.  She has anointed my body ahead of time for burial.  I tell you 
        the truth that, wherever in the whole world the good news is announced, what she's 
        done will also be told in memory of her."

         Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,

         And a strong cord of strength for your many peoples.

Response
        Guide my feet / while I run this race...

        For I don't want / to run this race in vain.

Blessing

        May the Light of God’s Grace fall bright upon your face.

        May the Hand of God’s Love be upon you, like a friend.

        and

        May the Communion of Friends and Church be a constant

        presence in your heart, a source of courage today,

        and a reminder of the joy and promise of everlasting life.

       
Just a quick word about Evening Prayers.  On my blog, I've posted a 15-minute video, that introduces us to the process of the Examen, a very old Christian practice that invites deep reflection on the day just past.  I think of the Examen as the evening companion to these Morning Prayers.  And I do hope you'll give it a try.  Look for the video in the most recent posts on Valley Rise Up.

You are a blessing to the world, my friend, and beloved and cherished by God.  Live in the light and walk by faith.  The God of our ancestors, the God of all the prophets and saints, goes with you!