Refresh us, O God. Refresh our tired and hurting hearts, for we are crushed, torn, angry, and lost without your encouraging touch. Refresh us, O God. Refresh our words and attitudes, for we have said far too much (or not enough) and wounded our fellow humans. Refresh us, O God. Refresh our churches, our friendships,… Read More
Friday Prayer: Strength for today
Gracious and loving One, The images of crying children are seared in our minds. The frightened and shell-shocked parents make our hearts ache. The cold and cruel analytical border officials fill our minds with rage. Lord, give us strength for today, that we might be tender-hearted but ready to respond. Lord, give us strength for… Read More
The Pastoral is Political
The road signs are blooming in our neck of the woods. Early voting has begun for the primaries which will decide who we vote for in the fall general elections. It’s been an interesting process. For the first time, both of our young adult progeny are informed voters. They are seriously evaluating candidates’ literature. Their interest… Read More
Friday Prayer: Persist
Oh Holy One, As we persist we find the strength to grow despite the pain despite the worry and as one day rolls into the next, we can look back and see your faithfulness, your strength in our weakness, your love in the hardest places, and your promises new every morning. Surprise us again with… Read More
Friday Prayer: Flattened
Holy One, This mess we’re in… I know it’s one of our own making, and we’ve managed to mess up your Creation rather completely… But please, Mighty One, save us from ourselves! This stench we smell… I know we have chosen to roll around in the biggest pile of (um) “fertilizer” we can find… But… Read More
Friday Prayer
Holy One, I stand in the clear, dry, air Looking at the coming storm And I worry. Oh, Divine One, how I worry. I see the darkness come and clouds gather. I watch the branches sway And fear rises. Oh Divine One, how it rises. I watch the birds fly ahead of the rain, Lifted… Read More
Friday Prayer: Look up and see
This week’s prayer flows from the tending of my own heart to combat the discouragement that seems to brew inside me with the least provocation. I return again and again to the promises Christ made and the challenge to wait with anticipation at what God might do next. I am reminded of Christ’s encouragement to… Read More
Friday Prayer: Fellow Travelers
Oh Holy One, How quickly we forget that you brought us onto this planet as travelers on the same road, hungry ones in need of food, tired ones in need of rest. How quickly we turn on one another and question instead of believe, accuse instead of listen, attack instead of trust. We aim at… Read More
Friday Prayer: sowing our prayers
Oh Lord, The planning and planting, The yearning and dreaming, The unrealized hopes of last year All haunt us. We doubt ourselves, We wonder if we heard your voice, We name our failures, We stare down our accusers. But in this season Of setting buds and growing fruit, Of watering and fertilizing, Of tending and… Read More
Friday Prayer: Lamenting and Confessing
This week I was fortunate to be present for the A.C.T. Now! Anti-Racism Rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC. This prayer was born from my experience. When we do not see in one another the Imago Dei, we “other” them. May all who are Called be change agents for reconciliation and peace. Oh… Read More
