Good Evening Dear Family of God and Love!
Happy Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday! I hope everyone is still engaging in our de-cluttering challenge. My fatigue level has been a tad bit strange these days and I can only do what I can do. Today I decided to tackle the junk in the garage. This is and was Dad's kinda sorta man cave and annex for the hardware store at home. I may have to get a dumpster and someone to take away the e-waste, old hazardous and chemical waste products, etc. I have items that I really don''t have any idea what they are or what they are used for. The reason I got back into the groove of de-cluttering is this, my iThrive plan had some good advice today on how to get energy by adding a few changes. I would like to share this now with you it is really good and I think we can add these tips to our spiritual lives as well.
Wonderful tips from iThrive today!
Energy Enhancing Environments
Identify and Address Energy Drainers
Today, Thriver, we ask that you come up with a plan to address three big energy drainers.
Messy and cluttered spaces - When it comes to creating energetic work and home spaces, we need to first look at what may be in those spaces that drains energy. One of the biggest energy drainers we can face is clutter and disorganization. It’s true, there’s nothing more damaging to our energy levels than a messy desk or a cluttered space in your home. Research tells us that just looking at a cluttered space can make us feel more tired. What’s more, we can waste a lot of energy and time, looking for things in a messy space. According to the American Demographic Society, Americans spent more than nine million hours PER DAY looking for lost or misplaced items! Yikes! We also have a difficult time concentrating in messy spaces. Our minds become get disorganized when we spend time in a cluttered environment. Researchers at Cornell University found that a cluttered kitchen can cause us to eat unhealthy, high-calorie meals! The bottom line: if you want more energy, clean up the clutter and get organized!
Too much noisy technology - Another energy drainer can be technology. If we allow technology to frequently and randomly interrupt our day (cell phone ringing, emails dinging, texts buzzing, TV blaring), it can zap us of energy. Sometimes in today’s technology driven society, we can become “wired but tired.” One solution is to take technology breaks, especially at night one or two hours before bed. And remember, TVs are technology items as well so don’t get trapped in front of that box for too long. Some of the most energetic people turn off technology on a regular basis. In addition to technology breaks throughout your week, how about periodically having an entire day without technology?! And, for those technology devices that you can’t live without, try turning off alerts so that you use them proactively instead of reactively.
Not enough water - Not drinking enough water can also be a big energy drainer. The solution? Have your water bottle near you in your home and work environments. Seeing that empty water container is your cue to hydrate and, in the process, you’ll feel more energetic
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Tonight I would like to add fewer prayers and at the same time make our time together less burdensome and wordy.
1. De-clutter your sacred space and this includes your heart home, mind, and spirit.
2. Enter into holy Silence.
3. Drink from the water of life.
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Now let us begin a time of simplicity as we breathe and set our hearts upon God and going deeper into our heart homes.
Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.
Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.
Peace be still.
Peace be.
Peace.
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.
Please select a vigil prayer:
God we open up our heart homes and light our candles and pray with love. We pray that we may love our family members deeply, broadly, unconditionally with hope, joy, peace, and love energy. We pray for an end to indifference, hatred, violence, and division. We pray that we may re-educate ourselves to practice radical hospitality, attitudes of gratitude, random acts of kindness, and that we may do in the words of the Prophet Micah- "To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God" We pray that we may focus our lives towards the loving care and in service to the least of these. We pray with loving hearts for our family members who have lost their lives in acts of terror of all kinds. We pray that we may light our candles in solidarity and love for those who are mourning and struggling with life's dark times. We pray that we may be light shiners, love givers, joy bringers, hope bearers, and peace makers. We light our candles as we pray for those things that are heavy on our hearts and lay them on the broad and loving shoulders of God Amen.
Enter into silence and spend time with God.
or this
Gracious God we light our candles this night as we pray that we may learn from each other and choose our words reverently and in the spirit of Your compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy. May our words provide comfort and guidance when needed. We pray that as we speak we may earnestly listen to what we are saying and how we say it. We pray that we may drop the use of negative labels that serve only incite fear, violence, and hate. We pray that the words we say may speak truth to power . We pray that the words we say may unite and not divide and lead us to a peaceful and healed world. We pray that we may walk the walk and talk the talk as members of one family and act to benefit of all people. We pray for our LGBTQI, Muslim, and Latino family members and wrap our loving prayers and words around them with grace, love, and care. We pray that we may seek to love one another and yes that means our enemies and those who hate us. Let us this night listen to what our world is saying and with listening ears and open hearts pray for solutions and guidance so that we may act accordingly with God's help and change the world for the better. We pray that we may in the words of St. Francis " Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words." We lift up these our prayers and remember these words" The Light of Christ in Me recognizes the light of Christ in you!" Amen,
Psalm133 Ecce, quam bonum!
1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!
2 It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,
3 Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
4 It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.
5 For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.
Let us pray these canticles tonight.
A Song of Judith
Judith 16:13-16
I will sing a new song to my God, *
for you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible.
Let the whole creation serve you, *
for you spoke and all things came into being.
You sent your breath and it formed them, *
no one is able to resist your voice.
Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths, *
rocks melt like wax at your presence.
But to those who fear you, *
you continue to show mercy.
No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, *
but whoever fears the Lord shall stand in your sight for ever.
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.
A Song of Our True Nature
Julian of Norwich
Christ revealed our frailty and our falling, *
our trespasses and our humiliations.
Christ also revealed his blessed power, *
his blessed wisdom and love.
He protects us as tenderly and as sweetly when we are in greatest need; *
he raises us in spirit
and turns everything to glory and joy without ending.
God is the ground and the substance, the very essence of nature; *
God is the true father and mother of natures.
We are all bound to God by nature, *
and we are all bound to God by grace.
And this grace is for all the world, *
because it is our precious mother, Christ.
For this fair nature was prepared by Christ
for the honor and nobility of all, *
and for the joy and bliss of salvation.
The Third Song of Isaiah Surge, illuminare
Isaiah 60:1-3, 11a, 14c, 18-19
Arise, shine, for your light has come, *
and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.
For behold, darkness covers the land; *
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.
But over you the Lord will rise, *
and his glory will appear upon you.
Nations Will stream to your light, *
and kings to the brightness of your dawning.
Your gates will always be open; *
by day or night they will never be shut.
They will call you, The City of the Lord, *
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.
Violence will no more be heard in your land, *
ruin or destruction within your borders.
You will call your walls, Salvation, *
and all your portals, Praise.
The sun will no more be your light by day; *
by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.
The Lord will be your everlasting light, *
and your God will be your glory.
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.
Job 22:21-28
21 ‘Agree with God,* and be at peace;
in this way good will come to you.
22 Receive instruction from his mouth,
and lay up his words in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty,* you will be restored,
if you remove unrighteousness from your tents,
24 if you treat gold like dust,
and gold of Ophir like the stones of the torrent-bed,
25 and if the Almighty* is your gold
and your precious silver,
26 then you will delight in the Almighty,*
and lift up your face to God.
27 You will pray to him, and he will hear you,
and you will pay your vows.
28 You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you,
and light will shine on your ways.
For whom and what shall we pray?
God we pray that we may de-clutter all the junk that is hindering our relationship with you and our families?
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God we pray for an end to all the junk that divides us and fails to unite us.
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God we pray for an end to all forms of violence that there may be peace on the the Earth.
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God we pray for all who are ill and in need of healing of bodies, minds, and spirits remembering especially _______________
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God we pray for an end to _________________
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God we pray for the conservation of God's Cathedral of Life.
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God we pray and give thanks for __________________
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God we pray that the leaders of the nations and especially here at home may realize their duty is to lead and care for the least of these no matter who they are. We pray that they may truly practice and live by the words "Liberty and Justice for all!".
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
God we lift up these our prayers to you O God.
God in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Ephesians 1:3-10
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4just as he chose us in Christ* before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. 5He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight 9he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
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
Gracious Spirit, we come to you with heavy hearts in need of healing. We offer our tender beings to you for the healing of our bodies, minds, and spirits.
Gracious Spirit we pray this night for and end to bullying and persecution of our LGBTQ youth and adults who are not lovingly accepted in our family May we love them and make for them a soft place in which to fall.
Gracious Spirit, We pray for an end to domestic violence and abuse of men, women and children that all those who have been affected this way may find necessary help and safe shelter,
Gracious Spirit, we pray for our family members who are lonely, homeless, and hungry. May they find compassionate company, safe lodging, and be feed with good food.
Gracious Spirit, protect all of our immigrants, refugees,prisoners, captives, that they may receive necessary care, justice, secure shelters, be led to freedom and liberty.
Gracious Spirit we pray that we may be good stewards of God's Cathedral of Life and protect the land that God has given us. May we conserve and learn to live simply out of Gods's abundance.
Gracious Spirit, we pray for rain in the drought parched areas of the world and for our family members who are affected by severe weather.
Gracious Spirit, We pray for all those who are suffering from mental illness and depression and especially our family members who are feeling low in mind, spirit, and energy. Heal them and may they know that they are loved, precious, and accepted fully into God's Family.
Gracious Spirit, we pray for our family members who may be contemplating taking their own lives may they courageously ask for help and feel your encircling love around them.
Gracious Spirit, we pray for our family members who are suffering from Zika, the respiratory viruses, A.I.D.S. and any other illnesses that are life threatening.
Gracious Spirit, heal and console all of our family members who have Cancer, Diabetes, and all autoimmune, and chronic illnesses. We pray for their caregivers.
Gracious Spirit, we pray for an end to violence and division in our country and throughout the world. We pray for our elected leaders that they may remember that it is their job to protect us and not the chosen few. May we knit a prayer circle of love around our country where we may sew seeds of love, hope, joy,justice, peace, acceptance,and mercy, and that hate, bigotry, and division may cease. May we all be one!
Gracious Spirit, may we add our prayers, thanksgivings, remembrances, and celebrations for ourselves and on behalf of others at this time.
Gracious Spirit we lift up our prayers in the Name of Christ Jesus. Amen.
John 17:20-26
20 ‘I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us,* so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24 Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
25 ‘Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.’
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.
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the
enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in
peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us. Amen.
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine: Glory to God from generation to
generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever.
Amen. Ephesians 3:20,2
The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
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Good Night Dearly Loved Ones! I love you lots! I give thanks to God for you this night and always!
With love and blessings.
Sara
Resources:
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching our Worship
iThrive plan
Walk With Me On Our Journey
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