Good Evening Beloved Community!
I hope everyone had a wonderful day of self-care and retreat time. If you scroll down this blog now you will see lots of God News from Luke and John. We are blessed this year with #LiveLent, The Good Book Club, and Meeting Jesus in The Gospel of John. We are learing to pray to God, Knock on the door of God's sanctuary, and ask God for help, jus for starters. In each of these passages tonight we are going to pause, pray, and reflect instead of the usual worship. We need to change things up a bit.
Let us come together to read, pause, pray, and reflect. Let us reflect upon where we are as the Beloved Community and if we need to strive to do better.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that God is Love.
Be still and know that You are Love.
Be sill and know that I Am Love.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Slowly inhale.
Hold.
Slowly exhale
Pause. Count to 10.
Repeat 4 times.
Happy Self Care Saturday It is time for our daily Virtual Candlelight Prayer Vigils. Tonight Let us pray for our country that there will be an end to the terrible divisiveness ,hatred, and extremism that is affecting it. We pray that we may once again find common ground and a return of common decency. We continue to pray that we become bridge builders and peacemakers. We pray that we my be united as one family in CALM (Compassion, acceptance, Love, and mercy) Purpose, for the good and benefit of all. We pray that we may acknowledge our dependence upon each other and every living thing and that we may practice conservation of God's Cathedral of life.
Tonight let us love one another and extend our arms of love to one another and our hands in friendship. We are truly family and sacred beings made in the image and likeness of God. Every day is sacred even when we don't feel like it is! So in the silence of tonight's meditation may we pledge to ourselves and one another that we are family, we love one another, accept each other where we are and who we are, and that we will never hate or harm each other in any way. Tonight and if you are reading this tomorrow, I'm issuing a call for all of us to be the holy and loving children of God.
Let us continue to be at prayer.
God is Love and Love is God, may we love you with a gentle and childlike spirit.
God is Love and Love is God, may we love our family members with a loving heart and a welcoming heart home.
God is Love and Love is God, may we learn to love ourselves and treat ourselves with gentleness and without shame.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all who are ill and in any distress of body, mind, and spirit.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for peace in this fragile and broken world.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all refugees, captives, victims of terror,violence, abuse, and human trafficking.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all who are being persecuted by virtue of their sexuality and gender. May they be afforded all human rights and acceptance.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all who are mourning and who are pre-grieving.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for all who are dying and who have died may they enjoy with joy their new mansion fit for them and in the Thin Places.
God is Love and Love is God, we pray for__________________________
God is Love and Love is God , we give thanks for_______________________
“It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made [God] known.” John 1:18
Pause
Pray
Jesus help us to come to know you through your Fathers heart. Let our hearts be set on fire to love and serve you. Amen.
Reflect.
Jesus,
just as you lived in intimate union
so draw me to yourself in love that I may live
so that all that I do and all that I say may flow
Amen.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father.” John 10:14
Pause
Pray
Jesus thank you for being the Good Shepherd and that we are hearing your voice when you call us each by name. Help us when we are unsure what voice is yours and which is not. Amen.
Reflect.
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love." John 15:9
As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love." John 15:9
Pause
Pray
Jesus we love you. God the Creator we love you. Holy Spirit we love you! We love our neighbors. We love ourselves. Help us to stay in your kindom of love, peace, mercy, and justice. Amen.
Reflect.
“The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing.” John 5:20
Pause.
“The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing.” John 5:20
Pause.
Pray
We give thanks that God loves Jesus so much that he is giving previews of what's to come and that we don't have to fear or be anxious about anything. Amen.
Reflect.
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.’” John 5:19
“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise.’” John 5:19
Pause.
Pray.
We give thanks that God and Jesus are working together. They are holiness in sync.
Help us when we serve you God and Jesus to do nothing on our own. Give us the gentle tap on the shoulder when we aren't and when we need to repent and change our ways. Amen.
Reflect.
Luke 15:11–32
Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
Pause.
“Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us.” I John 4:11,12
Pause
Pray
God, help us to love one another and be still and know that you are God. Amen.
Reflect.
A bonus reading from Luke.
Luke 15:11–32
Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
Pause.
Pray
God help us to reconnect with our family memembers when we go astray and be reconciled in loving and forgiving ways. Give us the courage to not be afraid to be welcoming when lost family members return home. Make each one of us heart homes of love and welcome and that we practice radical houspitality (Hospicality) to all the Beleoved Community. Amen.
Reflect.
Luke 9:2-6 (NRSV)
Jesus sent out the twelve to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Pause.
Pray
Jesus, thank you for giving us the tools to do your work in the world around us. Give us courage to be the change you want to see in the world that God created. Give us radiant joy to proclaim the God News (Good News) to all our family members nearby and far away.Amen.
Reflect.
Luke 11:1-13
He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.’
And he said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread;for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.”And he answers from within, “Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.” I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
‘So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
Pause.
Pray.
Let us pray using the two forms of the Lord's Prayer from A New Zealand Prayer Book.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
And this
Eternal Spirit,
Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples
of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
now and for ever. Amen.
Reflect.
John 7:37-39
Rivers of Living Water
37 On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As* the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart* shall flow rivers of living water.” ’ 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit,* because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Pause
Pray
Isaiah 55 The Message (MSG)
Buy Without Money
55 1-5 “Hey there! All who are thirsty,
come to the water!
Are you penniless?
Come anyway—buy and eat!
Come, buy your drinks, buy wine and milk.
Buy without money—everything’s free!
Why do you spend your money on junk food,
your hard-earned cash on cotton candy?
Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best,
fill yourself with only the finest.
Pay attention, come close now,
listen carefully to my life-giving, life-nourishing words.
I’m making a lasting covenant commitment with you,
the same that I made with David: sure, solid, enduring love.
I set him up as a witness to the nations,
made him a prince and leader of the nations,
And now I’m doing it to you:
You’ll summon nations you’ve never heard of,
and nations who’ve never heard of you
will come running to you
Because of me, your God,
because The Holy of Israel has honored you.”
6-7 Seek God while he’s here to be found,
pray to him while he’s close at hand.
Let the wicked abandon their way of life
and the evil their way of thinking.
Let them come back to God, who is merciful,
come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness.
8-11 “I don’t think the way you think.
The way you work isn’t the way I work.”
God’s Decree.
“For as the sky soars high above earth,
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Just as rain and snow descend from the skies
and don’t go back until they’ve watered the earth,
Doing their work of making things grow and blossom,
producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry,
So will the words that come out of my mouth
not come back empty-handed.
They’ll do the work I sent them to do,
they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.
12-13 “So you’ll go out in joy,
you’ll be led into a whole and complete life.
The mountains and hills will lead the parade,
bursting with song.
All the trees of the forest will join the procession,
exuberant with applause.
No more thistles, but giant sequoias,
no more thornbushes, but stately pines—
Monuments to me, to God,
living and lasting evidence of God.”
Reflect.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all. Amen.
Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.
These prayers may be added.
God, Open Wide ..... As we Pray!
God open wide the hearts of our family members and sometimes ourselves who have closed hearts, minds, and spirits.
God open wide the arms of our family members and all of us to be welcoming and loving to all.
God open wide the hearts and minds of all our family members who are leaders of the nations who are at war with their own people. We pray that their minds, hearts, and a willingness to make peace may be fostered and that peace may prevail upon earth.
God open wide the arms of our family members to become gracious, kind, and loving caregivers.
God open wide the hearts of our family members and us that we may seek, serve, and love the least of these.
God open wide our minds so that we may learn from and appreciate the diversity in this your Human Family and as the Family of God.
God open wide our arms so that we may care for the ill, the lost, the lonely, the afraid, and the marginalized.
God open wide our arms and hands that we may comfort and soothe the dying, lovingly hold those in pre-grieving, embrace with holy compassion those who are in mourning.
God open wide our hands that we may be good stewards of your Cathedral of Life.
God open wide our hearts as we pray for__________________
God open wide our hearts as we lift up our thanksgivings for______________
Accept these our prayers in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
or these:
Prayers that ask us to Challenge our Hearts
Let us pray this night for our family members who reside outdoors remembering Shopping Cart Sally, Buena Vista Vince, Kimberly, and all those who are homeless, hungry, living on the margins of society.
Challenge our hearts O God.
We pray for all peace in the world and especially where there is violence, injustice, cruelty and indifference.
Challenge our hearts O God to be peacemakers.
We pray for all family members who are caregivers of every stripe. Challenge our hearts and all persons to step up and offer loving help without begrudging.
We pray for all of our Family members who are ill, aging, and disabled. Challenge our hearts to pray, help, and not pass by on the side of the road.
We pray this night especially for ___________________________ Challenge our hearts to pray and reach out and have courage to help.
We give thanks to you O God for_________________________ Challenge our hearts to be always grateful and have attitudes of gratitude.
We Remember all those who are dying and have died today especially ________________ May we be challenged to live life more fully in your service and follow the good example of ________________.
We Celebrate this day especially _________________________Challenge our hearts O God to find healthy balance in our lives and celebrate each day to the fullest.
God we lift these our prayers to you and may we always be challenged to do what is right in your gracious and loving God who makes every nano-second new. Amen.
*********************
Good Night Beloved Community. Remember you are loved, your presence is valued, you are appreciated, and I am gratefful to God for you always.
Peace, Love, Prayers, and God's Blessings!
Sara
Resources:
#LiveLent
Meeting Jesus In the Gospel of John
The Good Book Club.
Oremus Bible Browser
Bible Gateway
Walk With Me On Our Journey
A New Zealand Prayer Book.
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