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
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:
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…
Psalm 69
Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
And a strong cord of strength for your many peoples.
Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
And a strong cord of strength for your many peoples.
Save me, O God,
for the waters have risen to my neck.
I have sunk into the mud of the deep
and there is no foothold.
I have entered the waters of the deep
and the waves overwhelm me.
I am wearied with all my crying,
my throat is parched.
My eyes are wasted away
from looking for my God.
More numerous than the hairs on my head
are those who hate me without cause.
Those who attack me with lies
are too much for my strength.
It is for you that I suffer taunts,
that shame covers my face,
that I have become a stranger to my family,
an alien to my brothers and sisters.
I burn with zeal for your house
and taunts against you fall on me.
When I afflict my soul with fasting
they make it a taunt against me.
When I put on sackcloth in mourning
then they make me a byword,
the gossip of folk at the gates,
the subject of drunkards' songs.
This is my prayer to you,
my prayer for your grace.
In your great love, answer me, O God,
with your help that never fails;
rescue me from sinking in the mud,
save me from my foes.
Save me from the waters of the deep
lest the waves overwhelm me.
Do not let the deep engulf me
nor death close its mouth on me.
Let your word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
for the waters have risen to my neck.
I have sunk into the mud of the deep
and there is no foothold.
I have entered the waters of the deep
and the waves overwhelm me.
I am wearied with all my crying,
my throat is parched.
My eyes are wasted away
from looking for my God.
More numerous than the hairs on my head
are those who hate me without cause.
Those who attack me with lies
are too much for my strength.
It is for you that I suffer taunts,
that shame covers my face,
that I have become a stranger to my family,
an alien to my brothers and sisters.
I burn with zeal for your house
and taunts against you fall on me.
When I afflict my soul with fasting
they make it a taunt against me.
When I put on sackcloth in mourning
then they make me a byword,
the gossip of folk at the gates,
the subject of drunkards' songs.
This is my prayer to you,
my prayer for your grace.
In your great love, answer me, O God,
with your help that never fails;
rescue me from sinking in the mud,
save me from my foes.
Save me from the waters of the deep
lest the waves overwhelm me.
Do not let the deep engulf me
nor death close its mouth on me.
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...
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!
