Holy One, We feel it deep in our bones, this sadness and pain, the tears of the broken-hearted, the silent worries. We hear the cries for justice, the shouts of anger, the cries too deep for words. We wonder, how long? We question, why not? We mourn, not again! And we know, deep within, that you welcomed the… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
It’s the middle of the week, in the middle of summer and we are in the middle of an election season. Lead us, O God… Grant us wisdom to know when to step up and when to step back Give us the courage to speak out when necessary and to listen when required Pour out Your… Read More
RCL: God’s Got Us Covered
Many years ago, I sent out post cards to about 400 senior high youth that said the following: Would you marry a prostitute? Come to Sunday School and find out. Needless to say, I received a number of phone calls from concerned parents. I also had a full Sunday school class for a few weeks.… Read More
Thursday Prayer: anticipating Pentecost
Come Holy Spirit, fire in us the gift of your imagination; breathe in us the gift of your peace; dance in us the gift of your beauty; dream in us the gift of your wisdom; speak in us the gift of your justice; make in us the gift of your strength. Come, Holy Spirit, come!… Read More
Revised Common Lectionary: Holy Translator
The Holy Spirit is an amorphous being. One who is compared to wind and fire. The one who comes down with the waters of baptism onto us, earthly, dirt-made humans. Through the Holy Spirit we have furthered our understanding of who God is to us. The Holy Spirit is an “advocate” the “Spirit of Truth”… Read More
Saturday Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit
(inspired by John 14:23-29) Come, Holy Spirit, Calm my fears. Come, Holy Spirit, Comfort me in my sorrow. Come, Holy Spirit, Open my ears to your voice. Come, Holy Spirit, Move me with Divine love. Come, Holy Spirit, Give me your peace. Grant me your power. Come, Holy Spirit. Come. Rev. Joanna Harader serves as… Read More
Wednesday Prayer
Holy One, Thank you for a new day with new opportunities to grow, new possibilities to love, new intentions to be more like You in the world; even if it is only within our own small world to start. As we lean into the rest of the week, cause us to lean on You, to… Read More
Friday Prayer: What Will Be
I think a lot about sanctification. That particular theological undertaking is not often pondered in Lutheran circles, since we are heaven-bent on emphasizing justification. Yet, I cannot believe that God brings us into right relationship with the Divine and with creation, only to let us remain the same for the entirety of our lifespan. I am… Read More
Thursday Prayer: like a bird
Dear Holy Spirit, A sacred kingfisher came to sit on the fence today and I was having an Important Conversation about identity and vocation, about solid ground, tūrangawaewae, a place to stand; and I was reminded that birds do not exist only on solidity: they perch on branches that sway, and on telegraph wires; they… Read More
Saturday Prayer – While Washing the Dishes
A plate, a cup, a bowl, a spoon. It is morning, and I am washing yesterday’s dishes. Forgive me for the sin of leaving these dishes unwashed. And for the other sin of wishing I hadn’t left the dishes unwashed And for the further sin of convincing myself I’m probably a very bad person for… Read More
