Lighting a path out of the darkness as we pray for an end to violence.

Good Evening Dear Family of Love,

Happy Take Care Tuesday! I don't know about you but I'm sure we all have been seeing the various posts in social media, TV, and print concerning the violence and hatred that has been sweeping the country since the election. We all must disavow these acts of domestic terror as part of our baptismal vows and not just that plain old human decency. No ,this isn't going to be a politically oriented blog it  is going to be a reminder that when we see or hear something we need to say something. Part of being each other's keeper is protecting one another from any kind of harm and standing up for each other when we are being verbally or physically attacked. Let's remember that as God's family we need to have each other's backs and even those with whom we share disagreements with.  Tonight there was a post on FB from a friend showing extreme vandalism to someone's car and property. I told her to make sure her friend reported it to the media and that they reported it as a possible hate crime.. As I said to her it doesn't matter what side of the aisle you are on politically hate is hate and it is not to be tolerated in any fashion.  So dear ones let us be watchful for our neighbors and their property.  


Let us pray and keep watch as we make vigil, light candles, and pray for an end to violence and hatred. Let us pray that all of us will become peacemakers, light bearers, and united in the family of God. We pray that we may lighten each of our pathways as we celebrate and accept each others diversity in race,creed, color, gender expression, and sexual orientation. We pray that we may shine God's light of love, justice, and mercy where there isn't any and speak truth to power in all places to all people. 

O Gracious Light Phos hilaron

O gracious Light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing thy praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Thou art worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

God of all goodness you brought light into the world that we may see, grow, live, fix the seasons and time of day, help us to share the light with our brothers and sisters at all times. Help us to hold the light in front of each other so that we may not stumble but have sure footing.

God of all goodness illumine our lives with compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy, so that we may not fall prey to violence and hate

God of all goodness help each of us reflect your light to others when times are dark and uncertain so that our family members may see us as a place of sanctuary and comfort.

God of all goodness help us to leave lights of welcome on for the stranger in our midst so that we may live out your call to serve the least of these.

God of all goodness empower us with the Holy Spirit's love energy so that we may in the words of many "Set the world on fire".

God of all goodness light our pathways when we find ourselves in jeopardy.Help us to be resolved not to fall into fear but rise into faith.

God of all goodness bring us into the light when we find ourselves being lured by false gods, leaders, and the like. Help us to trust you when you give us that gentle and profound tap on the shoulder.

God of all goodness, help us to be warm caregivers to our family members who are ill and unsure.

God of all goodness we pray for an end to all forms of violence, terror, hatred, bigotry, and abuse. Help us to shed lights on these so that we may work to affect change and bring peace into this fragile and broken world. 

God of all goodness,
Hear our prayer
And let our cries for protection and light come unto you.

Additional prayers from the BCP

Scripture passages relating light!

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city built on a
hill cannot be hid. No one lights a lamp to put it under a
bucket, but on a lamp-stand where it gives light for everyone
in the house. And you, like the lamp, must shed light among
your fellow men, so that they may see the good you do, and
give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ
Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus’ sake.
For the same God who said, “Out of darkness let light shine,”
has caused his light to shine within us, to give the light of
revelation––the revelation of the glory of God in the face of
Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5-6


If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light
around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to you, O
Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to
you are both alike. Psalm 139:10-11


A Collect for Aid against Perils

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy
great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this
night; for the love of thy only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.

A Collect for Protection
O God, who art the life of all who live, the light of the faithful,
the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead:
We thank thee for the timely blessings of the day, and humbly
beseech thy merciful protection all the night. Bring us, we
pray thee, in safety to the morning hours; through him who
died for us and rose again, thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the
love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Say this in front of a mirror or someone you love "The light of Christ in me, recognizes the light of Christ in you!"

         "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

                                            PSALM 119:105


Good Night Dear Ones! Take care of yourselves so that you may take care of others. Shine and carry the light into the dark pathways and make peace and  speak out against violence and oppression. 
I love you and give God Thanks for you this night and always!

With love and light !

Sara