“Come to me all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”—Matthew 11:28 God, We come to you After the liturgical intensity of Advent, After the logistical demands of Christmas Eve, After the heavy pastoral care load of the holiday season, After the shopping and wrapping and baking, After… Read More
Friday Prayer: Gratitude and Grace
God, We thank you for our family and friends—even the annoying ones; And we pray for those who feel lonely in this season of connection. We thank you for the structures we live in—down to the ugliest carpet and the creakiest floorboards; And we pray for those experiencing homelessness. We thank you for our phone… Read More
Wits’ Ends Day: Holiday Fun
Hello, friends. I’m recovering from a sinus infection and haven’t had the mental energy to write a new Christmas column for you all this year. But please enjoy some holiday fun from years past: ‘Twas [two weeks] Before Christmas, Pastor Version ‘Twas the [week] Before Christmas, Parent Version If you’re looking to buy me a… Read More
Friday Prayer: A Prayer for Our Bodies
Word Made Flesh, Today, we pray for our bodies: For our tired feet, Our aching knees, The hips we somehow threw out of joint in our sleep. For sore shoulders Twingey necks, And fingers too stiff to move comfortably. We pray for relief from headaches, From stuffed noses, From sore throats, From relentless nausea. We… Read More
Friday Prayer: Advent during The Holidays
God, ‘Tis the season for celebrations and joy, And for struggles and grief. ‘Tis the season for hurried scurrying And for expectant waiting. ‘Tis the season for doing all the things And for silent, holy nights. Holy One, we are in the Holiday Season, And we are trying to live into Advent. I suppose it… Read More
Saturday Prayer: Entering Advent
God, Holy One, Immanuel, This year, during Advent, I want to prepare my heart, but I need to prepare the candles and banners and schedules; I want to wait in quiet patience, but I need to hurry up to the next activity; I want to receive your message of hope, but I also have messages… Read More
Saturday Prayer: For Blessing
Holy One, This day may I know Your health in my body; Your enlightenment in my mind; Your grace in my missteps; Your patience in my frustrations; Your inspiration where I am stuck And your tranquility where I need to slow down and rest. This day may I Breathe each breath with gratitude, See each… Read More
Wit’s Ends Day: Reviewing the Review
We just finished a pastor/congregation evaluation process at my church. Actually, our consultant says that this is just the beginning! We have exciting work ahead as we explore the summary documents! We should read through them prayerfully every night and consider what God is saying to us through the words of our co-congregants! What an… Read More
Saturday Prayer (from Romans 8)
God, Fill us with your Spirit that we might have courage— Courage to be vulnerable, To risk being wrong; Courage to speak hard truths, And to accept them; Courage to lead through uncertainty, And to ask for help when we need it; Courage to try something new, And to try something again; Courage to take… Read More
Saturday Prayer: A Prayer about Prayer
God, I talked to someone this week who is just getting to know you, Just starting to read the Bible, Just figuring out what prayer is. I told her that prayer is talking to you— And listening for you. There is no right or wrong way to do it. Her eyes grew wide. I told… Read More
