God of peace, God of justice, God who makes swords to plowshares And leads slaves to freedom: Kyrie eleison. Christ of compassion, Christ of confrontation, Jesus who healed the sick And overturned tables: Christe eleison. Comfort us. Shelter us. Empower us. Transform us. Have mercy on us, O Holy One. Amen. Rev. Joanna Harader… Read More
Friday Prayer: A Blessing
I pray a blessing for each of you today, And it doesn’t feel like much. Because what is a word against a virus? What is a hope against racist systems? What is a nudge of love against so much political vitriol? What is an utterance of truth against all of the lies? What is a… Read More
Wits-Ends-Day: Church COVID-19 Survey Results
How comfortable would you be coming to in-person worship? Very comfortable. (33%) Fairly comfortable. (34%) Not at all comfortable. (33%) Comments: “Covid isn’t real and God will protect us from it.” “If we don’t meet in person next week I’m finding another church that really believes in God.” “If we meet in person within the… Read More
Friday Prayer: Upon Reading of the Canaanite Woman and Jesus
(Matthew 15:21-28) God, This story is not the one I have in mind when I pray to be more like Jesus. I am already good at ignoring things that threaten to throw off my carefully laid plans. I need no encouragement to try to control the focus of my work according to my vision—which I… Read More
Friday Prayer: We are your people
Holy One, We are your people of peace in a world overwhelmed by violence. We are your people of reconciliation in a world where the powerful seek to divide and conquer. We are your people of community in a world literally sick with individualism. We are your people of sacrifice in a world of entitlement.… Read More
Friday Prayer: The Peace of Christ
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John 14:27 Perhaps this grieving is your peace. Perhaps this questioning This uncertainty This shaking of foundations Is the peace… Read More
Friday Prayer: For Juneteenth
*I realize Juneteenth is a uniquely U.S. celebration, but I trust the themes of freedom and celebration resonate around the world. God, Thank you for the celebration of Juneteenth: For those who claim the historical declaration of freedom, Who live within the spiritual reality of liberation, Who work for true justice in our country and… Read More
Friday Prayer: A Prayer for Reading the News
God of truth, Lead me to wise and honest news sources. May I discern well among the bombardment media. God of justice, Open my ears to the voices of people who are too often silenced, who need to be heard. Let me listen well to those who are different from me. God of joy, Show… Read More
Wit’s Ends Day: 10 Commandments of Zoom
I am the Reverend, your pastor, who invited you into this land of Zoom, out of the building where Coronavirus can spread. Thou shalt keep track of the Zoom links I send you. Thou shalt mute yourself when you are not speaking, even if you think you are the magical exception to this rule and… Read More
Friday Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit
Veni sancte spiritus. Come, Holy Spirit, breath of life. Come through the hard and holy remembrances of those who have been driven from this land, of those who have been enslaved, beaten, lynched, of families torn apart and landscapes that cannot be put back together. Veni sancte spiritus. Come through the stories written in scripture,… Read More
