Day 7 of 8 of our vigil and Retreat: Reclaiming the Family of God in Community

Good Evening Dear Family of God and Love!

Happy Thanksgiving Eve! I hope everyone is ready for our first big family celebration  of the holiday season. Tonight I attended the Community Thanksgiving service. It was a nice service but one thing was missing and that was the feeling of being in a whole community with a kaleidoscope of diversity and oneness. Last year we had a true interfaith service with diversity and this year they returned to an all Christian format . The normally would be  fine ,for some years and other times, but this year we needed a time where we all could be together as a wonderful representation of God's image and likeness. Last night we had our vigil with interfaith prayers, tonight let us begin reclaiming the Family of  God in Community. What do I mean by this? I mean that we need to not shut out the other members of our community just because we want to look, sound, and believe the same way or similarly. Diversity is where it is at! As a Christian I am repeated that each of us are parts of the Body of Christ and each of us brings our own unique facets and gifts (cells) to make up the body and we must act dependently upon each other. So tonight we pray as one as we make vigil and build bridges of  compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy in and throughout our community. 



Tonight let us form a virtual circle with our hands interlocked like this.

Let us stay there together and imagine what it would be like to be truly united as the Family of God in Community.

Let us imagine relying upon one another without fear and reservation.

Let us imagine the richness each one of us brings to the world and to the table.

Let us imagine speaking gently with words that heal not to harm.

Let us imagine being able to look at one another and see God's face in everyone we meet. 

Let us imagine no longer having to be suspicious just because of the color of our skin, faith community, gender expression and sexual orientation, or where we come from.  

Let us imagine actually listening in holy dialog and finding common ground.

Let us imagine being in solidarity with one another when times get tough and we need to lean upon one another. 

Let us imagine and pray as we light this single candle of unity.that we are together as the Family of God in Community right here, right now, and in the holy presence of God and each other.

As we light this candle let us offer the light of Christ (God) to one another saying "The Light of Christ (God) in me recognizes the Light of Christ (God) in you.

Community at Prayer 

A Prayer attributed to St. Francis


Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.

Scripture and prayers dedicated to Peace (From the Book of Common Prayer)

For the Diversity of Races and Cultures

O God, who created all peoples in your image, we thank you

for the wonderful diversity of races and cultures in this world.

Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of fellowship, and

show us your presence in those who differ most from us, until

our knowledge of your love is made perfect in our love for all

your children; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of

peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel

for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominion

may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your

love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with

you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for

ever. Amen.

Micah 4:1-5

In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains,

and shall be raised up above the hills. Peoples shall stream to it, and many nations shall come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more; but they shall all sit under their own vines and under their own fig trees, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. For all the peoples walk, each in the name of its god, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.

Psalm 85:7-13
7 Show us your mercy, O Lord, *
and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.

Ephesians 2:13-18
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.

or this

Colossians 3:12-15

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

John 16:23-33
Jesus said to his disciples, “On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask
anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Yes, now you are speaking plainly, not in any figure of speech! Now we know that you know all things, and do not need to have anyone question you; by this we believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!”

Matthew 5:43-48
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But
I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children
of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on
the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?
Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what
more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your
heavenly Father is perfect.”


For the Human Family
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.

4. For Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn
but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the
strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that
all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of
Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and
glory, now and for ever. Amen.


For Peace Among the Nations
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the
world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among
them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they
may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.

Our final vigil prayers (Other candles may be lighted)

God we pray that we may build bridges by learning from each other, walking united in love and peace, and by letting go of our agendas that seek only to divide and harm. We pray that we may build bridges where we may at the beginning meet each other halfway and begin a holy dialogue seeking peace and understanding. We pray that we may build bridges based on unconditional love and acceptance and common ground. We pray that we may build bridges by seeing God in and through each other by acknowledging that God made us in God's image and likeness. We pray that we may build bridges by engaging in holy listening with our listening ears and hearts. We pray that we may build bridges together and tear down the walls that seek only to divide, harm, and cause us to be afraid and hate one another without cause. We pray that we may build bridges of Compassion, Acceptance, Love and Mercy beginning this night and always. Amen.

Lord Jesus, as we approach the up coming week may we pray for peace in the world. 

Jesus, give us the courage to become instruments of your peace and be "Lights of the World" and "The Salt of the Earth"

Jesus, grant us the wisdom to find out for ourselves the truth behind all the stories we read and see in social media and in the newscasts.

Jesus, we pray for the forgotten people in all the war torn areas of the world that our eyes may be opened and that we may have loving hearts to welcome them.

Jesus, give us we pray the energy to do the tasks no matter how large or how small  you give us in service to you and in your Kingdom.

Jesus, we remember those who are on our hearts this night especially______________________

Jesus, protect all our family members around the world this night and 'Hide them under the shadow of your wings"

Jesus, keep reminding us that we are to be your hands, your feet, your voice, in the world. Give us by your example to never treat anyone as invisible.

Jesus, help us to be living  and  breathing Bibles by our love, compassion, mercy,  words, deeds and remember the words of  St. Francis of Assisi  "Preach the Gospel always, if necessary use words!"

Jesus, we remember all of our vulnerable family members who are lonely, lost, refugees, homeless, hungry, and all the least of these. Help us to remember that by caring and serving them we are serving you.

Jesus, heal all those who are mentally ill, PTSD,  Memory problems, and all those who struggle with daily living. We remember all of our family members who are disabled.

Jesus, help us to know that we are one with you and God and that we may never be afraid to come to you and knock at the door. Help us always to be listening and seeking you in those moments of stillness and calm.

God we come to you this night seeking the healing of wounds as we light more candles and make vigil!

We light  another  candle as an acknowledgement of  our misusing of words and deeds towards our family members. We acknowledge our sins and ask for forgiveness. 

We ask for forgiveness.

We pray for a change of mind, heart, and mien.

We seek re-union with you and our family members.

We accept our responsibility for our actions.

We atone for our actions.

We begin again.

We strive for justice and respect the dignity of every person you have made in your image and likeness. 

We light another  candle in acknowledgment of our corporate and communal failures that have divided us.

We pray for forgiveness and reconciliation.

We pray for the building of bridges and tearing down the walls of division.

We pray for a coming together as one human family seeking to do what is best for all of us and not some of us.

We pray for an end to premeditated discrimination, hatred, and inequality and violence.

We pray for an end to the gimme,gimme, gimme society in which we live so that we may learn how to share and help us to be one in fellowship, the breaking of bread, and in our prayer and worship time.

We pray for an end to what is dividing us personally remembering___________

We light our final candle in prayer and healing of wounds too deep for words. 

We pray for an end to centuries old divisions that are man made and not of God.

We pray for an end to the hatreds that keep us from knowing God and each other more fully with Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and mercy.

We pray for an end to all forms of abuse that harm all of God's Children.

We pray for an end to inequality in all of its divisive forms.

We pray for all things that divide us from God and each other.

Encircle us God that we may be once again united as your family in community. Gather us in with hearts and heart homes of welcome and peace. We pray together this -

Be Still and know that I am God.

Be Still and know that I am.

Be Still and know.

Be Still.

Be.

I wish you all a blessed and peaceful night dear ones. I love you all and give thanks to God for you each and every day.

With love, hope, peace, joy, kindness, Love Energy abounding from my heart home to yours,

Sara