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.Arrows of Light, come, pierce my soul...
Breath of the Bright Wind, make us one...
Peace, Shalom, Salaam aleikum, 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.
Psalm 104 (as translated by Norman Fischer in Opening to You)
May your Word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
My soul is for your blessing
For you are very great
Clothed with light and splendor
Wrapped in light like a garment
Who stretches out the sky like a curtain
Whose roof beams are fashioned with the waters
Whose chariots are the clouds
Who walks along the wind's wings
Whose messengers are the winds
Whose ministers are the fire's flames
Who sets the earth upon her foundations
So that she cannot be moved
And covers her with waters like a robe
How various are these deeds
That you have performed so shapely
The earth so full of your riches
Here is the vast wide sea
In which creatures without number
Of all sizes and kinds crawl and swim or drift and wave
There the great ships make their voyages
And huge whales journey and breach without tiring
All these wait upon you to give them
Their food in due season
What you give they gather
You open your hand and they are satisfied
Hide your face and they vanish
Remove your breath and they perish
Return to the dust they were made from
Breathe again your breath
And they enter life renewed
Refreshing the face of the earth
Your glory endures forever
Your work is an endless rejoicing
You who glance at the earth and she trembles
Who touch the mountains and they smoke
While I live my songs will be for you
While I am I'll speak my gratefulness
My soul is for your blessing--
I praise that too
May your Word, O God, be a lamp unto our feet,
And a strong cord of courage for your many peoples.
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.
I will live one day at a time,
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 and for public health servants who are working to provide clear guidance, effective testing and compassionate care:
Kyrie…
For immigrants, refugees and prisoners of conscience, that their hearts may be strengthened by faith and that their journeys to freedom be hastened by grace:
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 immigrants, refugees and prisoners of conscience, that their hearts may be strengthened by faith and that their journeys to freedom be hastened by grace:
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…
Prayer for Serenity (as originally composed by Reinhold Niebuhr)
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed;
Give us courage to change the things
which should be changed;
and give us the Wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
I will live one day at a time,
I will enjoy one moment at a time,
And I will accept hardship as a pathway to peace:
Taking, as Jesus did,
This broken world as it is,
And not as I would have it;
Trusting that You will make all things whole and right,
If I surrender to Your will,
And that I can be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You, in the life which knows no end.
Amen and amen.
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.
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! Go in peace and live well on planet earth.
My sense is this: that disciplined, daily practice transforms Easter speculation into Easter faith; that this kind of prayer (alongside our witness for justice, alongside our commitment to mercy) nurtures our prophetic imagination and partnership with Christ. Thanks for joining me, and for encouraging me, on that journey!
