MorningPrayer

Dear God,     Sometimes we feel like we live in fish bowls on the counter of life; each in our own environment and world,  good and bad. We see other fish bowls, observing that world but still, we must live in our own, doing the best we can. Give us the ability to live in full grace in our own world and the power to move between worlds in, sharing and love. Maybe, as we share our environs of life, we learn and care more about the other.  Your will, O God, for us.AMEN

Dear God,     The night teetered on the edge of the cup and fell into the coffee, disappearing into the darkness; no lingering, no turning back, no despair at the new light. We must move on, yes? Into the milky white day and the trees brushing the birds awake with gentle, painterly motions. We are hallowed vessels,  washed clean by blazing comets, waiting to be filled in the sacred hush of God breath.    We are butterflies wandering in the cosmic dust, flapping our wings and creating stars.  AMEN

Dear God,     May our heart and prayers be poured out for those who endure silently and alone. For those who suffer quietly with little support we pray that they will have relief. May angels sing anthems of healing grace as you, God, hold them in the palm of your hands.  Anointed with the oils of compassion and love, may peace and wholeness be those who have suffered. AMEN

Dear God,    May the morning light bring clarity of thought from the chaos swirling and the darkness deep. May your fresh spirit sweep away gloom and dismay and bring clarity and purity.  In your presence might we find new light and new joy and new opportunity for peace. Hold us quietly and gently in the palm of your hand and anoint us with grace. AMEN

Dear God,     Sometimes we are caught between two kinds of winds: the winds of the skies, swirling and twisting and flowing with incredible force, raising waters and  bringing devastation and disaster.  And the winds of humanities passion and erupted beliefs, bringing terror, and war and destruction and death.  We seem powerless to halt either wind, and we are left to clean up and comfort those who mourn. Help us, God, to prepare better for the first wind and find ways to halt the second wind. We are powerless without your assistance. AMEN

Creator Living God,    The little song bird perching delicately lifts a glorious song into the morning air. It floats through the trees, wraps around buildings and coasts across the yard.  May we, also, in our small way, lift a song of praise and notes of hope and joy. May the ripples of our voice and our actions  bring happiness and wonder to all who hear and see.  May our individual melodies, fill the space around us with unique harmonies of grace and may vitality and joyful energy sing Alleluia. AMEN

Dear God,    OK, it is eleven months until Christmas. The last tattered  signs of the season glitter on some of our walls and mantels.  Is it to early to start planning for next Christmas, what do you say, God?  Or should Christmas past and Christmas coming meet us about half way, say, June 25th. We are reminded already, it didn't take long, that our good thoughts and holy hopes got flawed pretty quickly. Maybe, with a little help from you, we can pause and be still and reflect on the seasons of our life and where we have been and where we are going. Immanuel. AMEN

Dear God,     On a gloomy grey day, may we see smiles and laughter.  On a day of wet, cold rain may we see the pulse of spring thinking about budding. On a day of sniffles and coughs, may we see wellness coming and the vigor of life  retooling. On a day of concerns for our people in whatever situations of their life they might be, may we hear prayers and know your presence. Creator, Loving God, refresh, renourish, replenish us. AMEN

Dear God,    Life changes in us as fast as the weather changes around us.  The temperature goes down and we throw on sweaters and coasts and goes up and we cast them aside. Our wellness factor is grand and we smile and dance and then we feel blue and we groan and grump. Ahh, God. Help us in the control of our emotional and physical  fluctuations. Life is truly like a roller coaster, be our life belt in the seat and the rails upon which we ride. AMEN

Dear God,    Sometimes our sight is locked within the chambers of our mind. We wander in the maze of thoughts and feelings, opening doors to claustrophobic closets and large rooms filled with echoing sounds. We grow weary in the dim light and our eyes glaze over. Unlock our sight, God. Set our minds eye upon outward things that expand our horizon and open our thoughts. Help us to see beyond ourselves into the possibilities of life unfolding. AMEN

Lord,    May we gently gift the world with kindness, today.  May our actions of caring ripple across the earth and form a spirit of hope and sharing to all who feel the spirit filled breeze.  May our actions be Christ like and create loving simplicity in family and friends. We remember that we are made in your image, O God, and in your grace we are filled. AMEN

Dear God,    You who have created colors of our world to add harmony and variety and diversity to our life. The blue sky, the brown trees, the faded green grass, the reflective waters, all add beauty to our lives.  Why them can we not see the beauty and admire the glory in skins of color, browns, blacks, tans, reds, whites, beige.  Why then can we not see beauty in the diversity of beliefs and religions and cultural patterns.  We pray that all of humanity, see the symphony of colors as glorious song of praise of humanity, lifted up to you.  Songs of peace and not dominance. Hear our prayer all peoples, and God of us all. AMEN

Holy Lord,    Sit us down this Sabbath and breathe in us the Holy Breath of serenity. Pluck us from the confusion and chaos of the day and bring us to a still quiet spot. By placid waters in the meadow of the sacred bush may we gaze upon your light and experience our spirit at rest and our soul at peace. Hear our prayer, O God. AMEN

Dear God,    Send us music that heals and makes us whole.  Deep low bass tones from the organ chambers, hollowed out in the caverns of earth, that hold our bones together.  A melody that swings  from the  treetops and makes us smile.  A harmony from the waters of the seas that cause us to think and meditate in our hearts. A lilting descant from the wind blown clouds dancing in the atmosphere of our minds.  Please, God, send us our soul song of joy, mystery and peace. AMEN

Lord,     Sometimes the storms of life threaten to swamp us.  The seas rise and the waves crash, the winds blow through our carefully constructed walls and we fill with fear. There is nowhere to flee and we have no fight left in us.  We can only float in faith, Lord, knowing that you will support us.  In the prayer of faith and the faith of prayer we surrender. Into your embrace we collapse, and instead of death we receive life.  Thank you God. AMEN

Dear God,     Like most days, God, we don't fully know what today will bring.  We pray that we are awake and aware so that we can deal with what comes our way.  Maybe we will be excited or stressed.  Maybe there will be joy or pain.  Maybe we will need patience or deep calm.  We pray that whatever occurs, we will be whole and well in our response and actions. We pray to see the Christ in others and respond like the Christ as well. AMEN

Dear God,     We are grateful for the spirit which is placed in us, a spirit of doing, being and survival.  A spirit of forgiveness, compassion and love.  A spirit of caring, helping and sharing.  Be with us in adversity, disappointment, failure and pain.  Lift our spirit so we might be graceful in your eyes.  Place your Spirit of Holiness within us so we might rise higher than we dreamed and be purer than driven snow.  And if we fail and fall, catch us in the palm of your hand and embrace us, tenderly. AMEN

"Be still my soul."   Remember distant beginnings and the light growing stronger. Expand our awareness through the tunnel into the cosmic infinite and breathe the dust of hope.  Smile spirit of ancient stars, the atoms of God have formed us, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." The twitching eye and the gracefully curved finger beckon the wisdom of saints and sages. "Come," we say, "Illuminate us in your being."  Eternity, it seems is our home. AMEN

Dear God,    Sometimes we are tired and weary.  We see suffering and pain and distress near by and far away.  We see abuse of people and misuse of our earth. Humanity lives in conflict of ideology, religion and race.  We have self doubts and depressing thoughts.  We wonder if there is any point to this life.  The routine seems mundane or is marred by problems.  But then, we turn to you in prayer and you help us to see more clearly. We see beauty and kindness.  We hear compassion and harmony.  We see love and experience grace. We give you thanks, God, for this world of wonder, mystery and faith. AMEN

Holy Lord God,     Thank you for the sacraments you give us that grabs our minds and embraces our spirits.  The holy morning has blossomed red across the sky, a sacramental love feast of your heart and grace. We are lifted on the divine winds and held aloft in the communion of water and bread. We are held in the palm of your hand as we fellowship and pray as the Body of Christ. We are claimed by holiness and exist within you. Deep thanks and praise we offer. AMEN

Dear God,     The morning has meandered into the noon sun, swallowed by the melting ice and discarded scarves.  Perhaps,  in the pursuit of duty and task we are following our bliss and becoming perfect in your will. Our shadow, once frozen in place has shortened and follows our steps.  Are we on the Way of your being, as we follow the day becoming? Is this the necessary question of existence... one wonders. Following bliss is certainly a prayerful equation, and so, here we are, God, in prayer. AMEN

Dear God,     We are a little tired of these germs, viral illnesses, bacteria, colds, flu, pneumonia, strep that are running through our homes, churches, schools, work places, nursing homes... We are doing our best to stay healthy and get healthy but we need some help from out of your bag of tricks. Perhaps, a compassionate nudge, a healing touch, a raise of the eyebrow would be sufficient.  In your mercy and in your grace, we learn patience and strive for health and wellness of mind, body and spirit. AMEN

Dear God,      Help us to let go: let go of the icy fingers of fear. Let go of the shimmering ice of doubt. Let go of the frigid frost of need and greed. Help us to let go and coast in the fluid air of comfort.  To let go and float in the jetstream  of faith.To let go and be soothed in the anointing oils of flowing rivers and streams. Help us to collapse into the belief of, "It will be OK," because I rest my weary head in your arms, O God. AMEN

Dear God,     Sometimes we grieve for that which we do not have or that which we have lost.  Our book cases are full and our desk is overflowing but we search endlessly for that one book or that one paper that will provide the clues to life.  Perhaps if we clear away the clutter and sit quietly in the emptiness of space, we will be embraced by the circle of light, walk through the fire  and in purity be free. Perhaps, it is now, in your sacred presence. AMEN

Dear God,    May we never be so bored that we can't be excited  by mystery and an epiphany of thought.  Keep our senses alert and our hearts awake to magic and wonder and awe.  May we still be amazed by small trifling things of beauty and harmony.  May we be alive in the joy of everyday things, and not settle into complacency.  In you, may we leap for joy. AMEN

Dear God,     As we cruise into the New Year, leaving the old behind, may we take with us the lessons learned and the goodness discovered. If we have found peace and happiness, and resolve and determination, may we keep it intact in our spirits and travel with these skills. May we do our very best to be health givers and wellness livers. May the Christ of compassion be on our face and in our hands. Between Alpha and Omega, let us live. AMEN

Dear God,     Where are we, this morning of this new day in January?  Are we in the sanctuary with candles burning and crosses flaming?  Are we in your presence in mystery and light?  Do we hold close to our hearts the communion of faith and the empowerment of the Spirit?  Do we hold out empty hands waiting for them to be filled and drip with anointed grace?  In the clamor or hush of the new born day, do we hear your whispers of love and lean back in confidence, absorbed by the wisdom of time?  Let it be, O God, that we live in you. AMEN

Dear God,     The mists of night arose from the ground of the new year, washing the memories of the past and preparing our eyes for the future. As the light of your love fills us we pray for pure hearts and spirits cleansed and freshened for the year of your embracing. May we draw a deep holy breath that renews and replenishes with every morning light. AMEN