Dear God.I have written prayersfor others to praywith carefully crafted wordsand evocative imagery. I have written prayersabout having no words,the prayers of feet pacing hallways,the prayers of our tears. I have outlined a box in my journalempty of words or images.A space marking a prayer. I have danced my prayersknitted my prayersdrawn my prayers. And… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Guiding, guarding Holy One, you have made us to be watchful, mindful of threats from lions and bears, poisonous mushrooms and other treats, our brains and bodies on alert, but this watchfulness is wearing us out. The threats of disease, injustice, and job loss, the people of ill intent who would do us harm, and… Read More
Monday Prayer
Thank you, God, for the way my cat stretches out long beside me on the bed, showing me his perfect white soft tummy—but won’t let me touch it. Sometimes it’s like that between you and me. I feel safe, accepted, and resting alongside you. I luxuriate in the certainty of your love, and stretch out… Read More
Sunday Prayer: As Far As the Western Sea
Not me, O Life, but us. Not mine, O Life, but ours. As far as the eastern horizon,as far as the western sea,all that is and all that can be. Not us or them, O Life, but every. Not ours or theirs, O Life, but all’s. From the first wisp of dustto its final sighing… Read More
Saturday Prayer: Covered
Holy One,You cover us with your love,Your grace,Your kindness,Your abundant patience.We need only look upAnd seeAnd hearAnd tasteYour goodness.Our thoughts are scattered,Distracted,Blown and tossed by winds of our whimsy and unruliness.You know us so well…And yet,We are coveredWith your love. Thank you.Blessed be.Amen. Rev. Deborah Vaughn, BCC is a chaplain endorsed by the Alliance of… Read More
Friday prayer: help us to see and be seen by one another
Immortal, invisible God, how do you do it? How do you put up with people claiming that they can’t see you? That you’re not real? That you can’t be hurt? Certainly I don’t have your long view or capacity to forgive, but I know what it’s like to be invisible, to be told that I… Read More
Thursday Prayer: all the things
Dear God,All the things…all the things to doall the things that could be saidall the things to worry aboutall the things to rage aboutall the things… I would like to finish this prayerby saying that I will entrust them,all of them,to you. But we both know that I don’t have that capacity. It would make… Read More
Wednesday Prayer for the weary
Six more months of masks, no gatherings, no hugs. No, wait, maybe nine more months of quarantine. Or even twelve months until we can go out again, or be together. God, it’s hard to know what lies ahead in our COVID world. Our hopes feel far off, and the memory of our lives before this… Read More
Daily Prayer – Monday – reclaiming my promised life
Holy Friend, Let me just remember—the whirlwind of detailed worries that tucked me into bed last night. Are they all here today? Fresh as daisies and ready for another round? Let us stop this madness that chases me. Hold me still and brush me off. Tell me there is no need to take that on… Read More
Sunday Prayer: Bargaining
You have said to me, “Come,”but you have left me to wanderin search of your desired “where.” You have named me, “Blessed,”but you have been unrelentingwith every trial on my life. You have said to me, “Be still and know,”but you have covered the eyes of my heartso that I cannot understand your ways. You… Read More
