Good Evening Dear Family of God and Love,
Happy Wisdom Wednesday! I hope each of us have had a time where we have been given insights into our lives. Each day with some kind of de-cluttering I find something new that makes my spirit sing and my life have more meaning. Tonight I opted not to go to a meeting and spend more time in resting and renewal and writing and spending time with you all. You are important to me and I really want to stay on the line with you and dial in with your spirits. Our connection is forever sure, and forever true. I officiated at Morning Prayer this morning and I had to decide what lessons we were going to use. It was either going to be the lessons for Macrina the Younger, Adelaide Teague Case, or the Daily Lectionary! I decided upon the lessons for Adelaide Teague Case because it was and is the anniversary of the Seneca Falls Women's Conference. Without this conference, I would not be blogging daily and women and men wouldn't be where we are today. Tomorrow we will have more women heroes of faith and social justice. Tonight let us pray and make vigil for the renewal of our lives and use the lessons for Adelaide Teague Case.
Let us start with our mindfulness breathing exercise.
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know
Be still
Be
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know
Be still
Be
Be still and know that I am God
Be still and know
Be still
Be
Now imagine each of us placing a warm prayer quilt of love around each other. We pray this prayer:
God we pray and ask you to help us to envision a warm prayer quilt of love that will give us all loving comfort by imagining being wrapped tightly by each other in loving service to you and to each other.
We :
Imagine it enfolding us with love.
Imagine it making us feel safe from harm
Imagine it giving us strength when we feel weak.
Imagine it healing us through warm thoughts and loving prayers.
Imagine it feeling like home
Imagine it enfolding us when we feel, lost, lonely alone, and invisible.
Imagine it feeling like Gods arms enfolding us with love, light, and mercy.
Imagine it feeling like Jesus' redeeming and healing graces.
Imagine it feeling like the Holy Spirit being the Holy Comforter.
Imagine it feeling like it being encircled and wrapped around each other
uniting us and not dividing us.
Imagine it wrapping our family members who are ill with the warmth and healing balm.
Imagine it wrapping the world in justice, mercy and with God guiding us in the pathways of peace.
Imagine it comforting all of us who are grieving.
Imagine it wrapping our dear departed loved ones for their journey home to the Thin Places.
Imagine it enfolding the least of these who are without food, clothing, and shelter.
We imagine it being made of stitched prayers of love, joy, hope, and peace.
We imagine the prayers that are being said as we wrap each other in the prayer quilt we choose for each other.
We imagine it enfolding our family members who long to feel accepted lovingly and authentically for who they and we are.
We pray that as we imagine we may feel the presence of God our Creator, Jesus our Redeemer, and the Holy Spirit Holy Comforter. We lift up these our prayers to you O God with warm, loving, and compassionate hearts and heart homes. Amen.
Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting
up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the
Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth
tremble before him. Psalm 96:9
Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established
the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the
earth; you made both summer and winter. Psalm 74:15, 16
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches
me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall. Psalm 16:7, 8
Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep
darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night;
who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon
the surface of the earth: The Lord is his name. Amos 5:8
God is Spirit, and those who worship must worship in spirit and
in truth. John 4:24
We begin our prayer vigil for the renewal of our lives by lighting our candles in unity and pray this prayer:
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 your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are 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 world
God ,we meet here tonight to light our candles and celebrate being your children and a family together. We pray this night and give thanks to you for making us into your family based on love, mercy, kindness, and forgiveness. We pray that the week ahead we may never forget that we are family first and then citizens and members of political parties. We pray that we may love one another not in drudgery and the feeling of have to but unconditionally with joy and a willingness to want to and to rejoice and be glad in doing so. We pray for an end to all negativity and divisiveness that hurt and harm one another in many terrifying and hate-filled ways. We pray that we may be united in joy, love, hope, peace, and that we may with joy build bridges and tear down walls. We pray this night for all of our family members who have lost joy that they may receive the necessary help to bring it back into their lives. We pray this night for the courage to be kind even in times of division and fear. We pray that we may ever be enthusiastic when we serve you and the least of these. We pray for love energy enough to meet the days and weeks to come and that we remember that we are your family after all.
We light our candles and remember this "The Light of Christ in Me, Recognizes the Light of Christ in you!' Amen.
Or this vigil!
God we light a circle of candles as we pray together as one family, one humanity, and one world praying together for peace. We pray this night that we may be encircled with your loving and steadfast presence as we pray for one another and give thanks for you and all the abundance you provide for us and the Earth. We pray that we may pass a virtual candle to the next person and keep it going as we look and seek you in each other's faces. We pray that we may be drawn nearer to one another and even in the presence of our enemies that we may start shining a light and begin to build bridges and tear down walls. We pray that we may seek to be loving even when we find it hard to do so. We pray for and end to all hatred, violence, and division. We pray that we may be encircled in the light of God and wrapped in a prayer quilt of CALM ( Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy) God we pray for all who have died this day and remember in our hearts those who have died in the many violent acts these past weeks. Tonight we hold them in our hears and think on them. We light additional candles and pray for those who have requested our prayers and those who haven't the courage to ask. We lift these our prayers to You O, God of all. Amen.
Psalm 119:33-40
He Legem pone
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, *
and I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *
I shall keep it with all my heart.
35 Make me go in the path of your commandments, *
for that is my desire.
36 Incline my heart to your decrees *
and not to unjust gain.
37 Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; *
give me life in your ways.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, *
which you make to those who fear you.
39 Turn away the reproach which I dread, *
because your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for your commandments; *
in your righteousness preserve my life.
The Song of Hannah
1 Samuel 2:1-8
My heart exults in you, O God; *
my triumph song is lifted in you.
My mouth derides my enemies, *
for I rejoice in your salvation.
There is none holy like you, *
nor any rock to be compared to you, our God.
Do not heap up prideful words or speak in arrogance; *
Only God is knowing and weighs all actions.
The bows of the mighty are broken, *
but the weak are clothed in strength.
Those once full now labor for bread, *
those who hungered now are well fed.
The childless woman has borne sevenfold, *
while the mother of many is forlorn.
God destroys and brings to life, casts down and raises up; *
gives wealth or takes it away, humbles and dignifies.
God raises the poor from the dust; *
and lifts the needy from the ash heap
To make them sit with the rulers *
and inherit a place of honor.
For the pillars of the earth are God’s *
on which the whole earth is founded.
Proverbs 4:1-9
4Listen, children, to a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain* insight;
2 for I give you good precepts:
do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a son with my father,
tender, and my mother’s favourite,
4 he taught me, and said to me,
‘Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
5 Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away
from the words of my mouth.
6 Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever else you get, get insight.
8 Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honour you if you embrace her.
9 She will place on your head a fair garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.’
Hebrews 5:11-6:1
11 About this* we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; 13 for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.
6 Therefore let us go on towards perfection,* leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith towards God,
A Song of Christ’s Humility
Philippians 2:6-11
Though in the form of God, *
Christ Jesus did not cling to equality with God,
But emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, *
and was born in human likeness.
Being found in human form, he humbled himself *
and became obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Therefore, God has highly exalted him *
and given him the name above every name,
That at the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow, *
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
And every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, *
to the glory of God the Father.
Mark 4:21-25
21 He said to them, ‘Is a lamp brought in to be put under the bushel basket, or under the bed, and not on the lampstand? 22For there is nothing hidden, except to be disclosed; nor is anything secret, except to come to light. 23Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ 24And he said to them, ‘Pay attention to what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. 25For to those who have, more will be given; and from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.’
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.
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.
A Collect for the Renewal of Life
O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the
night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive
far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your
law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having
done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may,
when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Everliving God, in whose light we see light: We thank you for your teacher and peacemaker Adelaide Case, who inspired generations of students with a love of learning that built up the Church and their communities. Grant that we, following her example, may serve you tirelessly as learners and teachers, laboring for the transformation of the world toward your reign of peace, through the companionship of Jesus your Saving Word; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Prayers for Transformation
God we pray that we may live lives that will transform us into the children you'd have us be.
God we pray that we may become your peacemakers so that we may help transform this broken, fragile, and divided world.
God we pray that many of our family members may be raised up to be positive transforming leaders in the nations of the world.
God we pray that every day we live, move, and just be may be moments of self-transformation.
God we pray that we may seek ways to help transform our cities into places of sanctuary and safety.
God we pray that with your help we may seek to do justice, love, mercy and walk humbly with you and transform the lives of our family members who are voiceless and live on the margins.
God we pray that society may be transformed into a place where all human needs are met, human rights may be afforded to all, and our family members who have hardness of heart may be transformed into loving and kind human beings willing to extend a gracious hand to help in times of need.
God we pray that as we awaken from tonight's slumber we may be transformed into new beings willing to give lovingly of ourselves.
God we thank you that by the gift of your son Jesus we were transformed and as new beings we lift up these our prayers in His most Holy Name. Amen
or this meditation Beside the Still Waters
If you so desire you may Click on the links to music below or have this time of meditation in quiet silence ; and let us close our eyes and continue our breathing exercises, let us take time and feel our bodies, minds, and spirits journeying to the center of our being where we will meet God and spend time with God. Feel God's presence enfolding you and listen for God's still small voice.
Jon Mark -Alhambra
Or
Loreena McKennitt - Nights from the Alhambra
Beside the still waters we come to seek you God in the quietness of our being.
Beside the still waters we come to pray for peace in this fragile and broken world of yours
Beside the still waters we pray for and end to all anxiety, fear, and worry that our minds and spirits may be still.
Beside the still waters we pray for our neighbors all over the world that we may find unity and learn to love one another as dearly loved family members of Yours.
Beside the still waters we come for respite, relaxation, rest, and renewal. We pray for calmness as we rest in your arms and never ending love and mercy.
Beside the still waters we come to ask prayers for all our family members who are in need of healing and strength remembering___________________
Beside the still waters we come seeking solace for those of us who are living through the long journey of mourning and grief.
Beside the still waters we come praying for all the least of these and all who are affected by violence, terror, abuse, and everyone who is struggling through the world's calamities.
Beside the still waters we give thanks for the lives who have entered eternal joy today and those who are in the midst of transitioning from this earthly life into a heavenly one.
Beside the still waters we pray for all who are lost, lonely, alone and seeking companionship. We pray that our hearts may be stilled as we wait. We pray that we may not lose heart and live boldly,yet gently alone.
Beside the still waters we pray for _____________________
Beside the still waters we give thanks for _______________
Beside the still waters may we journey over to the other side of the lake and offer our prayers in the quietness to Jesus . 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.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or
weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who
sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the
joyous; and all for your love’s sake. 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 3:20,21
God’s Blessing be with you,
Christ’s peace be with you,
the Spirit’s outpouring be with you,
now and always. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
+++++++
Good Night Dear Ones! I love you! May God bless you this day and always!
With love and blessings!
Sara
Resources:
Book of Common Prayer
Enriching our Worship 1997
Walk With Me On Our Journey
Satucket Lectionary
YouTube for Music
F.Y.I.
Adelaide Teague Case
Macrina the Younger
Daily Lectionary
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