Dear Family of Love and Pilgrims on our Journey,
Happy Gaudete Sunday or Third Sunday of Advent! Let us rejoice and be glad for our journey to the Manger of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love is drawing near. This week’s prayer walk will be focused on all of the 3 keywords Hope, Peace, and Joy. This prayer walk will be like no other we have done. Don’t get bogged down with these suggestions! Enjoy being with God and God’s creation while you walk and pray. We will be taking time to refresh our bodies, minds, and spirits with energy along with prayers. Don’t forget your iPod or Mp3 player. Music is important too. I take pictures and listen to music as I walk and pray!
Remember last week we had the key words of hope and peace? This week we get to add to the framework the key word of joy.
For those who haven't done our prayer walks we walk at whatever time is most suitable. I choose the evenings because of the peaceful qualities.
We prepare ourselves by hydrating with the image of Living Water coursing through our veins, tying our laces securely, wrapping our bodies with God's Warm prayer coat.
We invite God on our walk using these words or your own. God we invite you as you invite us to walk with you on our journey. Enliven our spirits, quicken our steps and open our hearts as we pray and walk.
When we first set out on our journey today we ask God to help us to be hope givers, peace makers, and bringers of joy to every family member we meet on our path! As Mr. Roark said on Fantasy Island “Smiles everyone, Smiles!”
Take a look at the sky and note the feel of the
temperature. Take some gentle breaths and feel the indwelling of joy and God’s
spirit with in you! Take time to know that this time is a conversation between
you and God and the healing of your bodies, minds, and spirits.
Whenever you see a Stop sign take time to pay attention to your breathing and heart beating. That is God with in you. Are you beginning to feel peaceful and hopeful? Those holy endorphins will kick in soon.
Begin to pray for all of our family members and
ask God to take care of them while you walk. As God to help you lay down you
mental burdens as you take in all of God’s creation. Is there anything causing
you to be anxious? Leave it on God’s broad shoulders.
Who is on your path
today? God has set them there for a reason! Pray for those who are using varying
modes of transportation and all those whom you meet. Smile and say Hello! Keep this in mind when you see family members
who cross your path: Remember that you are walking in the light of God
and "Light of Christ In Me recognizes the light of Christ In you.
Instead of the usual
prayer list this week we will use categories:
Pray for businesses
and employees
Pray for all those who
keep your city safe.
Pray for all those who
are homeless, hungry, and outcast.
Pray for your faith community.
Pray for an end to
abuse, exploitation, and violence.
Pray for anything or
anyone who God sets up on your heart.
Ask God how you can be
more loving, giving, compassionate, when we are barraged with all the holiday hype and
negativity.
Lift up your hearts to
God! God will never fail you. God is ever present.
Remember God requires
each of us is “to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God. This isn't just on occasion but, now and
always.
Finally Give thanks to God for all that God has done in your life today. Ask God to help you be a peace maker and hope bearer, and joy bringer to a broken world.
Dear Ones these are only suggestions. Remember to honor what your body is telling you to do. This framework can be prayed in place as well
We pray this final prayer: We thank you Lord for letting us carry our prayers and those who have asked us for prayers in our hearts, minds, and spirits. We thank you for making our Feet Swift and Beautiful for you and guiding our steps on this prayer walk to the manger of Hope, Peace, Love and Joy. Amen.
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