Sunday Prayer: Deathbed Confession

We have done our best, O God. Well, not our best. Sometimes not even a half-hearted attempt at “best.” But we have done … something … and of course it was never going to last because time is finite and people are too, but, O God! We didn’t prepare for death when it was set… Read More

Sunday Prayer: Praying as Jesus Taught

Thirty sparrows clamor around the bird feederwhile a squirrel plots its route to the same,and I wonder if this is faithfulness:to know what is needed and to crave it solely. Give us this day our daily bread,for you will give what is good, O God,Now let us be faithful in receiving it. The hounds of… Read More

Sunday Prayer: Complicated Gifts

We thought it was a gift, the basket of summer fruit: strawberries red as a rose, peaches wet as the dew, watermelons sweet as your love. But no, God. The basket was a judgment of all we have taken for granted and all we have coveted for ourselves. We boast in what we did not… Read More

Sunday Prayer: Plumb Line

I’ve been trying to climb your plumb line, O God, as if it is a measure of success or a ladder to security. When the wall showed signs of toppling, I leapt to the line to rise above it all. Forgive me. When the locusts swarmed and the harvest was threatened before it could mature,… Read More

Sunday Prayer: If Only

if only, my god, the river of healing left its banks to come heal us where we stand with our feet stuck in the mud if only, my god, the letter of peace penned itself to the angry mobs and violent landlords who worship cruelty if only, my god, the silver coins and gold bullions… Read More

Eastertide Psalm: Peace

O people, blessed are youwho come in the name ofthe One who was and will be. In death, in life, in renewalthe Promise says to the mourner:“Peace be with you even whenthe wounds seem to suggestpeace is not possible.” O people, blessed are youwho come in the name ofthe faithful Testimony. In hope, in awe,… Read More

Easter Sunday: Empty

“Do not hold on,” you said,and so we empty our expectationsof their aspirations for control. Hallelujah! “Go and tell,” you said,and so we release life’s miraclesfrom the duty of explanation. Hallelujah! “Wait and see,” you said,and so we accept the work of wonderwithout the need for certainty. Hallelujah! Most Holy Gardener: in the timeless wisdom… Read More

Palm Sunday Confession

We have shown ourselves to be fools, O Teacher. Celebrating the Robin Hood come to challenge the prince,we failed to recognize the outcast Sovereign before us. Cheering the jester’s parade in all its mockery of power,we ignored its earnest portrayal of the realm of God. Triumphantly paving life’s way with our coats & palms &… Read More

Prayer: New Ways

Through the dry desert, a river. Through the yawning grief, perfume. Through the war-torn streets, laughter. Through the fallow season, a harvest. Through the dense fog, a sunbeam. Through the howls of night, peace. Through the wilderness, new ways. God have mercy,may it be so. on Isaiah 43:19 The Rev. Rachel G. Hackenberg‘s book with co-author… Read More