Happy Friday! Two weeks ago was God Friday or Good Friday. We are now back on to having our weekend retreat cycles. The theme for this weekend is making time for holy silence. This means more time without noise and all out media clutter. Since I have become low income I do not have access to TV and sophisticated digital devices to clutter my body, mind, and spirit. Welcome to my quasi-monastic life. I live in holy poverty, holy times of holy silence, and lots of time in holy listening with the ear of the heart. Not to mention being in holy service to our Lord. Tonight let us spend time in getting used to being in silence and being at prayer once again without a complex set of exercises. But first let us de-clutter our spirits and get out our Worry/Sabbath Box and write down all of those pesky things that are vexing one's mind and heart and not dwell on them until Monday Night
Now let us engage in our centering exercises "The Be Stills"
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Inhale- Hold
Exhale- Pause
Repeat.
If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has
passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5:17,
NRSV
O God, be not far from us.
Come quickly to help us, O God.
Light of the World Phos hilaron
Light of the world, in grace and beauty,
Mirror of God’s eternal face,
Transparent flame of love’s free duty,
You bring salvation to our race.
Now, as we see the lights of evening,
We raise our voice in hymns of praise;
Worthy are you of endless blessing,
Sun of our night, lamp of our days
God we thank you for this day and the quiet that you bring us at the end of the day. We pray and light candles for our family members who do not know how to quiet themselves. We pray for our family members who find themselves in the hospital on the weekend and awaiting diagnosis. We pray for peace in this world and that we may come to know and love one another with courage and understanding. We pray for unity among all peoples and that division and hatred may cease. We pray this night for all who are meeting various challenges in their lives. We pray this night for all of our homeless and hungry family members who do not have sufficient food and shelter on the weekends. We pray for all of our faith leaders who are preparing for worship this weekend. We pray that we may find sufficient and peaceful rest and comfort this night. Help us to quiet the storms with in us and give loving comfort to those who who are going through the storms of life. We pray for all places that are experiencing severe weather. We pray this night that we may forever be CALM ( Compassionate, accepting, loving, and merciful) We pray that we may place all of our worries, anxieties and anything else that is not calming our hearts into the Worry Sabbath box so that we may be on retreat with you. We light our candles in memory of all who have lost their lives in acts of violence and hate. We pray for those who lost their lives in Syria, Afghanistan,and any other place where we have caused harm.and increased the likelihood of terror. Let us recognize the Light of Christ in each other by these words: "The Light of Christ In Me Recognizes the Light of Christ in you!" Amen.
Christ is risen. Alleluia.
And has appeared to the disciples. Alleluia.
Eternal God, who led your ancient people into freedom by a
pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night: Grant that
we who walk in the light of your presence may rejoice in the
liberty of the children of God; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Psalm 134 Ecce nunc
1 Behold now, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, *
you that stand by night in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the Lord; *
the Lord who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
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
A Song of Ezekiel
Ezekiel 36:24-28
I will take you from among all nations; *
and gather you from all lands to bring you home.
I will sprinkle clean water upon you; *
and purify you from false gods and uncleanness.
A new heart I will give you *
and a new spirit put within you.
I will take the stone heart from your chest *
and give you a heart of flesh.
I will help you walk in my laws *
and cherish my commandments and do them.
You shall be my people, *
and I will be your God.
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
A Song of Christ’s Goodness
Anselm of Canterbury
Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you; *
you are gentle with us as a mother with her children.
Often you weep over our sins and our pride, *
tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgment.
You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds, *
in sickness you nurse us and with pure milk you feed us.
Jesus, by your dying, we are born to new life; *
by your anguish and labor we come forth in joy.
Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness; *
through your gentleness, we find comfort in fear.
Your warmth gives life to the dead, *
your touch makes sinners righteous.
Lord Jesus, in your mercy, heal us; *
in your love and tenderness, remake us.
In your compassion, bring grace and forgiveness, *
for the beauty of heaven, may your love prepare us.
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
The Song of Mary Magnificat
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in you, O God my Savior, *
for you have looked with favor on your lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
you, the Almighty, have done great things for me,
and holy is your name.
You have mercy on those who fear you *
from generation to generation.
You have shown strength with your arm *
and scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones *
and lifting up the lowly.
You have filled the hungry with good things *
and sent the rich away empty.
You have come to the help of your servant Israel, *
for you have remembered your promise of mercy,
The promise made to our forebears, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Tonight I ask that we all begin knitting a tight prayer circle around all areas of our country and around the world that are plagued by severe weather,natural disaster, and violence. Tonight we need to be at prayer! Being with God and at prayer is all we need, along with a heavy and life giving dose of Love.
God we pray for all those who are in the paths of severe weather, civil unrest, violence, and natural disasters. We pray particularly for our family members all over the world who have been affected by terrorism of any kind. We pray for our family members who are in danger and especially those who have lost their lives, property, and livelihoods.
We pray for sound governance throughout the world and that there may be peace on the earth and that all wars, violence, and injustice may cease.
We pray for a climate of mindfulness and that we may not walk in a fog but clear headed and with clear vision to see what is happening in our worldwide neighborhood
and that we may see God in each other's eyes. We pray that we may not pass people by on the road and may we always recognize Jesus in the least of these.
We pray for those who are struggling to find employment all over the world and that jobs may be well paying and permanent.
We pray for all those who are in transition at any stage of life. We pray for all of our young people who are being promoted in school, those graduating, those retiring, and those discerning vocations to ministry and new life paths.
We pray for all of us who are learning to deal with a new normals in our health situations. We pray for those who are ill in whatever place the healing process they may find themselves.
We pray for all those who work to keep us safe from harm. Remembering the people who fix our infrastructures, law enforcement, military, emergency rescue personnel, and all those who are involved in health and safety.
We pray that we may never stop growing into the Family of God you created us to be and that we may be loving, merciful, grateful, and compassionate beings who respect the dignity of all.
We pray this night for all of those who have requested prayer and those of whom we have been asked to pray for.
We pray for all of our family members who are finding life a struggle and we remember those with chronic pain and mental illness. We pray that a cure may be found for all memory related illnesses.
We pray that everyone who has challenging work loads this week may find peace and time for rest, relaxation, refreshment, and renewal. We pray that we all may master the art and necessities of rest and sleep.
May we lay down our burdens and worries O God and may we find our bodies, minds, and spirits lightened in order to serve you daily.
We pray for all those who minister to our family members at night especially the Automobile Club/AAA, Emergency Room personnel, Hospice workers, Night Caregivers, and those who work in the Mortuary ministries.
We pray for caregivers of every kind from the Parish Priest to the family member who cares for their aging parents and all caregivers in between.
We lift up these prayers and any other prayers of thanksgiving, remembrance, and celebration to you O God who is Creator, Redeemer, and Holy Comforter. Amen.
or these
God as the week rushes by may we stop, look, listen, and be at prayer with you this night and always.
God we pray for an end to fear, hatred, bullying, abuse, and all forms of terror and even the terror of words designed to harm.
God help us we pray to stop, look, and listen to our family members who are struggling to live, move, and just be.
God help us we pray to serve the least of these with loving, tender, and pure hearts not seeking to be self-serving and ego focused.
God help us we pray to see you in everyone we meet and shine your light to them.
God we pray for all who are ill that they may be healed and comforted.
God we pray for all who are grieving losses of any kind.
God we pray for all who are in surgery at this moment that there may be a positive outcome.
God help us to rest comfortably this night and that we may lay our burdens down.
God we pray for all of our family members who have asked us to pray and especially the concerns and loved ones who are on their hearts____________________________
God we pray for all who have died that they may enjoy the joy and peace only Eternal Life can bring.
God we most especially pray for peace in this fragile and broken world.
God we pray for an end to violence and abuse of any kind. We pray for the victims of violence, abuse, and human trafficking.
God we add our own additional prayers and thanksgivings that are on our hearts this night and lay them in Jesus' gentle arms. Amen.
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.
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
Collect for Fridays
Lord Jesus Christ, by your death you took away the sting of
death: Grant to us your servants so to follow in faith where
you have led the way, that we may at length fall asleep
peacefully in you and wake up in your likeness; for your
tender mercies’ sake. Amen.
May the blessing of the God of Abraham and Sarah, and of Jesus
Christ born of our sister Mary, and of the Holy Spirit, who broods
over the world as a mother over her children, be upon you and
remain with you always. Amen.
++++
Good Night Dear Ones! Enjoy your time of silence until tomorrow.
I love you!
Sara
Resources:
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching Our Worship
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