Good Evening Dear Ones!
Happy final Sunday in May! Today I had a varied day and it seemed appropriate to have our time together centered upon healing as part of our vigil. Tonight we enter into a time of prayers for healing and we will be using lessons from Enriching our Worship 2 with a Public service of Healing. Tomorrow we conclude our vigils with prayers for the nation and the world. Tonight we ponder the words reconciliation and healing.
"Forgiving and being reconciled to our enemies or our loved ones are not about pretending that things are other than they are. It is not about patting one another on the back and turning a blind eye to the wrong. True reconciliation exposes the awfulness, the abuse, the hurt, the truth. It could even sometimes make things worse. It is a risky undertaking but in the end it is worthwhile, because in the end only an honest confrontation with reality can bring real healing. Superficial reconciliation can bring only superficial healing." ~ Desmond Tutu
"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares." ~ Henri Nouwen
"Reconciliation is to understand both sides; to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side." ~ Nhat Hanh
"Love one another and help others to rise to the higher levels, simply by pouring out love. Love is infectious and the greatest healing energy." ~ Sai Baba
"I remain convinced that most human conflicts can be solved through genuine dialogue conducted with a spirit of openness and reconciliation." ~ Dalai Lama
"Meditation can help us embrace our worries, our fear, our anger; and that is very healing. We let our own natural capacity of healing do the work." ~ Nhat Hanh
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." ~ Winston Churchill
"Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them." ~ Dalai Lama
"Reconciliation is a deep practice that we can do with our listening and our mindful speech. To reconcile means to bring peace and happiness to nations, people, and members of our family.... In order to reconcile, you have to possess the art of deep listening." ~ Nhat Hanh
"Healing yourself is connected with healing others." ~ Yoko Ono
"Reconciliation always brings a springtime to the soul." ~ Brother Roger
"Healing comes when we choose to walk away from darkness and move towards a brighter light." ~ Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Resistance and nonviolence are not in themselves good. There is another element that must be present in our struggle that then makes our resistance and nonviolence truly meaningful. That element is reconciliation. Our ultimate end must be the creation of the beloved community." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
"We belong to each other." ~ Mother Teresa
"Compassion- which means, literally, "to suffer with"- is the way to the truth that we are most ourselves, not when we differ from others, but when we are the same. Indeed the main spiritual question is not, "What difference do you make?" but "What do you have in common?" It is not "excelling" but "serving" that makes us most human. It is not proving ourselves to be better than others but confessing to be just like others that is the way to healing and reconciliation." ~ Henri Nouwen
"...We have an historic opportunity for a great global healing and renewal. If we will accept the challenge of nonviolent activism with faith, courage, and determination, we can bring this great vision of a world united in peace and harmony from a distant ideal into glowing reality." ~ Coretta Scott King
"The goal of pursuit of justice must not simply be that justice happens but that reconciliation also happens." ~ Miroslav Volf
"If you do a good job for others, you heal yourself at the same time, because a dose of joy is a spiritual cure." ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"I take literally the statement in the Gospel of John that God loves the world. I believe that the world was created and approved by love, that it subsists, coheres, and endures by love, and that, insofar as it is redeemable, it can be redeemed only by love. I believe that divine love, incarnate and indwelling in the world, summons the world always toward wholeness, which ultimately is reconciliation and atonement with God." ~ Wendell Berry
"Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free." ~ Starhawk
Come let us worship.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in
it. Psalm 118:24
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that
are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Colossians 3:1
Christ has entered, not into a sanctuary made with hands, a
copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in
the presence of God on our behalf. Hebrews 9:24
You shall receive power when the Holy Ghost has come upon
you; and you shall be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all
Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1::8
We begin our time together by praying the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
Praying with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as Set forth by the United Nations.
Preamble
Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,
Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,
Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,
Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,
Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,
Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,
Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,
Now, Therefore THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY proclaims THIS UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.
Article 1.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 2.
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 3.
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 4.
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 5.
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 6.
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 7.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law.All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 8.
Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 11.
(1) Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offence was committed.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 12.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honour and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 13.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 14.
(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 15.
(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 16.
(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 17.
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 20.
(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 21.
(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 22.
Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 23.
1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 24.
Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 25.
(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 26.
(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 27.
(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 28.
Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 29.
(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
Article 30.
Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.
Amen and Let it be so O, God. God hear the cries of your people.
God when you called us into being, you made us in your image and likeness and that we were and are to be the Lights of the World help us we pray as we light these our candles tonight to shine our love lights into places where there is darkness. Give us strength we pray that we may have courage to shine those lights where we normally wouldn't see ourselves going. We pray for all of our family members who are in dangerous and terrifying places. We pray for an end to violence, terror, bullying, abuse, and degradation and division. We pray for a world renewed by peace, love, mercy, and clean water and a healthy environment. We pray for all of us who are brokenhearted and who need to have our wounds dressed and tenderly cared for. We pray that we may be the shoulders to lean upon and cry and the soft place in which to fall and feel safe. Give us the courage to be this place even to the least of these, our enemies, and those who hate us. God of all Compassion, Acceptance, Love and Mercy we offer our additional prayers and thanksgivings remembering_________________. God we lay these our prayers, and thanksgivings at the feet and arms of your Son Jesus. We also remember that The light and love of Christ in me recognizes the Light and love of Christ in You. Amen.
THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES - Anonymous
Lest we forget the great traditions of freedom and faith which are the heritage of humanity; lest we forget the pioneers, the statesmen, the bridge builders, the artists; and lest we forget You, the God of our fore bears who is our God also:
We light this candle of remembrance.
For the hope of a better world, in which righteousness and peace shall prevail among the people of the earth, and to create which is the task of the generations in which we stand, as well as for the courage and faith we shall need if we are to carry on this unfinished work:
We light this candle of consecration.
May the flame upon the altar of free faith shine in our hearts al ways, reminding us of the dark places to which we may carry light and strengthening us in every moment of doubt and discouragement with unwavering faith in You whom we serve and whose we are.
THE LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES - Anonymous
Lest we forget the great traditions of freedom and faith which are the heritage of humanity; lest we forget the pioneers, the statesmen, the bridge builders, the artists; and lest we forget You, the God of our fore bears who is our God also:
We light this candle of remembrance.
For the hope of a better world, in which righteousness and peace shall prevail among the people of the earth, and to create which is the task of the generations in which we stand, as well as for the courage and faith we shall need if we are to carry on this unfinished work:
We light this candle of consecration.
May the flame upon the altar of free faith shine in our hearts al ways, reminding us of the dark places to which we may carry light and strengthening us in every moment of doubt and discouragement with unwavering faith in You whom we serve and whose we are.
Christ our Passover Pascha nostrum
1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Alleluia.
Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us; *
therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *
but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *
death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *
but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *
and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, *
the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, *
by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *
so in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
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.
121 Levavi oculos
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the LORD, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The LORD himself watches over you; *
the LORD is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.
8 The LORD shall watch over your going out and
your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Ezekiel 36:26-28 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
26 A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put my spirit within you, and make you follow my statutes and be careful to observe my ordinances. 28 Then you shall live in the land that I gave to your ancestors; and you shall be my people, and I will be your God.
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.
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Paul’s Thanksgiving after Affliction
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, 4 who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ.
A Song of Faith
1 Peter 1:3-4,18-21
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *
by divine mercy we have a new birth into a living hope;
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, *
we have an inheritance that is imperishable in heaven.
The ransom that was paid to free us *
was not paid in silver or gold,
But in the precious blood of Christ, *
the Lamb without spot or stain.
God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory *
so that we might have faith and hope in God.
Matthew 5:2-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
A Song of God’s Love
1 John 4:7-11
Beloved, let us love one another, *
for love is of God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, *
for God is Love.
In this the love of God was revealed among us, *
that God sent his only Son into the world,
so that we might live through Jesus Christ.
In this is love, not that we loved God but that God loved us *
and sent his Son that sins might be forgiven.
Beloved, since God loved us so much, *
we ought also to love one another.
For if we love one another, God abides in us, *
and God’s love will be perfected in us.
Pray for the World and the Church,
particularly for God’s healing grace
A Litany for Healing
Let us name before God those for whom we offer our prayers.
Let us offer our prayers for God’s healing, saying, “Hear and have mercy”
Holy and Mighty, wellspring of abundant life,
Holy Immortal One, protector of the faithful,
Holy Trinity, the source of all wholeness,
Blessed Jesus, your Holy Name is medicine for healing and a
promise of eternal life,
Jesus, descendant of David, you healed all who came to you in
faith,
Jesus, child of Mary, you embraced the world with your love,
Jesus, divine physician, you sent your disciples to preach the
Gospel and heal in your name,
Jesus our true mother, you feed us the milk of your compassion,
Jesus, Son of God, you take away our sin and make us whole,
Jesus, eternal Christ, your promised Spirit renews our hearts and
minds,
Grant your grace to heal those who are sick, we pray to you,
O God,
Give courage and faith to all who are disabled through injury or
illness, we pray to you, O God,
Comfort, relieve, and heal all sick children, we pray to you, O God,
Give courage to all who await surgery, we pray to you, O God,
Support and encourage those who live with chronic illness,
we pray to you, O God,
Strengthen those who endure continual pain, and give them hope,
we pray to you, O God,
Grant the refreshment of peaceful sleep to all who suffer, we pray
to you, O God,
Befriend all who are anxious, lonely, despondent, or afraid,
we pray to you, O God,
Restore those with mental illness to clarity of mind and hopefulness
of heart, we pray to you, O God,
Give rest to the weary, and hold the dying in your loving arms,
we pray to you, O God,
Help us to prepare for death with confident expectation and hope
of Easter joy, we pray to you, O God,
Give your wisdom and compassion to health care workers, that
they may minister to the sick and dying with knowledge, skill,
and kindness, we pray to you, O God,
Uphold those who keep watch with the sick, we pray to you,
O God,
Guide those who search for the causes and cures of sickness and
disease, we pray to you, O God,
Jesus, Lamb of God,
Jesus, bearer of our sins,
Jesus, redeemer of the world,
Lord, take me where You want me to go;
Let me meet who You want me to meet;
Tell me what You want me to say; and
Keep me out of your way.
Father Mychal Judge - FDNY - died 9/11/01
St. Teresa's Bookmark
Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything. Whoever has God lacks nothing. God alone suffices.
++
Let us see one another through eyes
enlightened by understanding and compassion.
Release us from judgment so we can receive the stories
of our sisters and brothers with respect and attention.
Open our hearts to the cries of a suffering world
and the healing melodies of peace and justice for all creation.
Empower us to be instruments of justice
and equality everywhere.
prayer for everyday for all creation
Collectively authored by the Millionth Circle Initiative,
5th World Conference on Women & Circle Connections.
+++
Christ has no body- St. Teresa of Avila
Christ has no body now on earth but yours; no hands but yours; no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which the compassion of Christ must look out on the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which He is to bless His people.
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.
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.
Compassionate God: You so loved the world that you sent us
Jesus to bear our infirmities and afflictions. Through acts of healing,
he revealed you as the true source of health and salvation.
For the sake of your Christ who suffered and died for us, conquered
death, and now reigns with you in glory, hear the cry of
your people. Have mercy on us, make us whole, and bring us at
last into the fullness of your eternal life. Amen.
Confession of Need
Let us confess our need for God’s healing grace.
Compassionate God,
we confess our weaknesses and our need for your
strengthening touch.
We confess that some illnesses stem from our own fault,
while others are beyond our control.
We turn to you, source of life,
and ask in the name of our Savior Jesus Christ
for the gifts of true healing and life in you. Amen.
Minister
May the God of love visit us in our times of trial and weakness,
and raise us to newness of life, through Jesus Christ, in the
power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, from whom all good proceeds:
You established your covenant with all creation.
Guide us and all your people,
that we may walk upon the earth in righteousness and peace, and honor
you in our kinship with all your creatures;
through our Risen Lord, Jesus Christ,
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, to the ages of ages. Amen.
God wake us up out of our complacency so that we may fully listen and follow you.
God wake us up out of our complacency that we may have active and meditative prayer lives that sew seeds of love, hope, joy, and mercy.
God wake us up out of our complacency to seek and serve our family members who are known as the Least of these.
God wake us up out of our complacency to care for our family members who are ill and to pray for them daily. We remember now before us____________________
God wake us up out of our complacency to strive to be peace makers, voices of the voiceless, and to speak truth to power.
God wake us up out of our complacency to not be walking in a fog while following you and that we may not fear to ask questions and exercise our minds with the mental gifts you have given us.
God wake us up out of our complacency to have courage to welcome the stranger, the lonely, the lost, and the marginalized.
God wake us up out of our complacency not to see the things that we see on the news or in social media as business as usual. God free our emotions that we may feel and not be afraid.
God wake us up out of our complacency so that we may practice good conservation of your Cathedral of life.
God wake us up out of our complacency to pray for those edgy concerns that are on our hearts_____________
Accept these our prayers brought to you with our loving hearts that are alive in you Lord Jesus. Amen
God wake us up out of our complacency that we may have active and meditative prayer lives that sew seeds of love, hope, joy, and mercy.
God wake us up out of our complacency to seek and serve our family members who are known as the Least of these.
God wake us up out of our complacency to care for our family members who are ill and to pray for them daily. We remember now before us____________________
God wake us up out of our complacency to strive to be peace makers, voices of the voiceless, and to speak truth to power.
God wake us up out of our complacency to not be walking in a fog while following you and that we may not fear to ask questions and exercise our minds with the mental gifts you have given us.
God wake us up out of our complacency to have courage to welcome the stranger, the lonely, the lost, and the marginalized.
God wake us up out of our complacency not to see the things that we see on the news or in social media as business as usual. God free our emotions that we may feel and not be afraid.
God wake us up out of our complacency so that we may practice good conservation of your Cathedral of life.
God wake us up out of our complacency to pray for those edgy concerns that are on our hearts_____________
Accept these our prayers brought to you with our loving hearts that are alive in you Lord Jesus. Amen
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God of Welcome, may we welcome the strangers and everyone in our midst.
Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
God of Welcome may we continually keep all of your children who are our family members whom we haven't met yet. Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
God of Welcome may we remember the refugee, immigrant, the lonely, the lost, the invisible who are seeking shelter and food.
Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
God of Welcome may we pray for all who are ill and if we are called to do so may we welcome them into our homes.
Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
God of Welcome, may we be stewards of your Cathedral of Life.
May we welcome all living things in to our family of love.
God of Welcome may we not be afraid to be family to all those who differ from us.
Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
God of Welcome we pray and welcome all those who have asked us for prayers and help into our hearts as we lift up their concerns to you.
Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
God of Welcome, May we be peacemakers and be welcome as your children.
Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
God of Welcome, we pray for all of our family members who are grieving losses of any kind.
Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
God of Welcome we pray for all who are transitioning and have died today.
Welcome them with loving joy and warmth into the Thin Places.
God of Welcome help us to be beacons of hope and the light of the world to everyone including our enemies and those with whom we differ.
Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
God of Welcome we pray for all faith communities, leaders, and people, help us to find commonality and where we are united.
Welcome them into our hearts, lives, and family.
Jesus welcome these our prayers in your name. For you welcomed us into your family by your birth, death, resurrection, and ascension. 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.
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always
protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow
the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always.
Amen.
(source: from Saint Clare)
Optional prayers and closings:
Respond if you like: God help us to bind up the brokenhearted and love and care for the least of these.
God we come to you in prayer with spirits that are hungry for a deeper relationship with you and all of our family members.
We pray for our family members who are hungry for nourishing and life giving food. May their bodies be filled. We pray for all soup kitchens feeding programs food banks, and pantries.
We pray for our family members who are in need of clothing. May we take time to give our old and usable clothing away for those that need it.
We pray for our family members who are in need of shelter this evening and if they need to be out in the cold that they may be safely protected.
We pray for our family members who are in need of affection we pray that our prayers may encircle them with a virtual prayer quilt of love and compassion. May they feel our prayers as a holy hug and embrace.
We pray for our family members who are seeking relationships and that they may come to know that the most important relationships are with God and themselves.
We pray for our family members who are hungering for knowledge that education may be made affordable and that everyone will have places in which to learn and grow.
We pray for our family members who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
We pray for our family members who are hungering for justice,equality human rights, dignity, and respect.
We pray for our family members who are hungering for CALM (Compassion Acceptance Love and Mercy)
We pray for our family members who are hungering for peace and Peace of Mind.
We pray for our family members who have come to us with their prayer requests remembering especially__________________.
God we come to you in prayer with spirits that are hungry for a deeper relationship with you and all of our family members.
We pray for our family members who are hungry for nourishing and life giving food. May their bodies be filled. We pray for all soup kitchens feeding programs food banks, and pantries.
We pray for our family members who are in need of clothing. May we take time to give our old and usable clothing away for those that need it.
We pray for our family members who are in need of shelter this evening and if they need to be out in the cold that they may be safely protected.
We pray for our family members who are in need of affection we pray that our prayers may encircle them with a virtual prayer quilt of love and compassion. May they feel our prayers as a holy hug and embrace.
We pray for our family members who are seeking relationships and that they may come to know that the most important relationships are with God and themselves.
We pray for our family members who are hungering for knowledge that education may be made affordable and that everyone will have places in which to learn and grow.
We pray for our family members who are hungering and thirsting after righteousness.
We pray for our family members who are hungering for justice,equality human rights, dignity, and respect.
We pray for our family members who are hungering for CALM (Compassion Acceptance Love and Mercy)
We pray for our family members who are hungering for peace and Peace of Mind.
We pray for our family members who have come to us with their prayer requests remembering especially__________________.
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God we light our candles tonight as we pray and give thanks for our family members where there is much division, hatred, and fear. We pray that as we pray this list of these our family members we may come up with our own list of family members with whom we find ourselves divided and whom we should work towards inclusion, universal human rights, equality, equity, and equal protection under the law for all God's Children. We pray this night that we may become the Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful family members to all and including the following ( In no particular order):
Standing Rock
LGBTQIA
Religious communities
The least of these
The mentally ill
African Americans
Muslims
Asian Americans
Native Americans
Hispanics
Immigrants both undocumented and documented.
Refugees
Disabled
Women
Children
May we seek to widen our tables, hearts, heart homes and community to accept them fully and that may we honor them as they honor us by their presence each day. We light our candles and say to each group on the list and our own "The Light of Christ in me Recognizes and Accepts the Light of Christ in you my brothers and sisters of _______________ We welcome you fully into the family of God and ask your forgiveness for any wrongs we have done to you and in the name of Jesus. May we pray and strive to seek to know the Christ/ God in you as you seek to know the Christ/ God in us. We ask this in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.
Dear God we pray on this the penultimate election day eve that we may be good citizens and take time to study the issues and vote. We who have voted make vigil and pray for those who haven't and that they may remember the Matthew 25 Pledge:
Standing Rock
LGBTQIA
Religious communities
The least of these
The mentally ill
African Americans
Muslims
Asian Americans
Native Americans
Hispanics
Immigrants both undocumented and documented.
Refugees
Disabled
Women
Children
May we seek to widen our tables, hearts, heart homes and community to accept them fully and that may we honor them as they honor us by their presence each day. We light our candles and say to each group on the list and our own "The Light of Christ in me Recognizes and Accepts the Light of Christ in you my brothers and sisters of _______________ We welcome you fully into the family of God and ask your forgiveness for any wrongs we have done to you and in the name of Jesus. May we pray and strive to seek to know the Christ/ God in you as you seek to know the Christ/ God in us. We ask this in the holy name of Jesus. Amen.
Dear God we pray on this the penultimate election day eve that we may be good citizens and take time to study the issues and vote. We who have voted make vigil and pray for those who haven't and that they may remember the Matthew 25 Pledge:
I pledge to protect and defend vulnerable people in the name of Jesus.
May we view voting as a sacred privilege not to be squandered but prized.
May we educate ourselves on the various issues and pray for your guidance in these matters and that we always remember the least of these and those who are on the margins especially for those whose rights may be violated and not made equal to that of our own.
We pray for our leaders at all levels of government.
We pray for our courts and the judiciary.
We pray for all governmental agencies at the local, state, and national level.
We pray for all new citizens and young adults who will be voting in their first election.
We pray that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you O God and may justice roll down.
We pray that our voices may be as we vote and may we remember the voiceless who can't vote.
We pray for all lawyers, paralegals, court clerks, bailiffs, sheriffs, justices of the peace, law enforcement personnel, judges, District Attorneys and all those who help administer justice in our land.
We pray for those who work in our prisons and jails. We pray for prison reform and those who are in prison.
We pray for compassionate immigration reform.
We pray for peace in our country and and end to violence of any kind.
We pray for an end to human trafficking and abuse.
We pray for the protection of our most vulnerable family members.
We pray for peace in all troubled and war torn areas of Your World O God. Take time in this time of silence to call these places and situations to mind.
We pray for all those who have asked us to pray for them and others on their behalf.
We add our own prayers, thanksgivings, celebrations, and remembrances _____
God we lift up these prayers to you in your Name. Amen.
May we educate ourselves on the various issues and pray for your guidance in these matters and that we always remember the least of these and those who are on the margins especially for those whose rights may be violated and not made equal to that of our own.
We pray for our leaders at all levels of government.
We pray for our courts and the judiciary.
We pray for all governmental agencies at the local, state, and national level.
We pray for all new citizens and young adults who will be voting in their first election.
We pray that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you O God and may justice roll down.
We pray that our voices may be as we vote and may we remember the voiceless who can't vote.
We pray for all lawyers, paralegals, court clerks, bailiffs, sheriffs, justices of the peace, law enforcement personnel, judges, District Attorneys and all those who help administer justice in our land.
We pray for those who work in our prisons and jails. We pray for prison reform and those who are in prison.
We pray for compassionate immigration reform.
We pray for peace in our country and and end to violence of any kind.
We pray for an end to human trafficking and abuse.
We pray for the protection of our most vulnerable family members.
We pray for peace in all troubled and war torn areas of Your World O God. Take time in this time of silence to call these places and situations to mind.
We pray for all those who have asked us to pray for them and others on their behalf.
We add our own prayers, thanksgivings, celebrations, and remembrances _____
God we lift up these prayers to you in your Name. Amen.
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator
of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary,
renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing
upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have
protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the
coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every
fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength
of our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
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.
All repeat the Antiphon
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake
we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely
more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from
generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus
for ever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21
A Prayer of St. Chrysostom
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one
accord to make our common supplication to you; and you
have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two
or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the
midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions
as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of
your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one
accord to make our common supplication to you; and you
have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two
or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the
midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions
as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of
your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
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Bonus Prayers!
In your presence O God, we come together as one family of love. Give us courage to lay down the weaponry of hate and find common ground.
In your presence O God, take all the gunk in our lives that prevent us from truly serving you and the least of these.
In your presence O God, give us courage to discern where you are sending us and help us to respond accordingly with "Here I am send me"!
In your presence O God, make us truly the Beloved Community intent upon serving you and our family members with CALM (Compassion, Acceptance, Love, and Mercy)
In your presence O God, help us to stand fast and ready to speak truth to power and seek out ways to be the change you want to see in the world.
In your presence O God, may we feel and know your love for us so that we may serve others. In your presence O God, we offer these our prayers________________________________
In your presence O God we lift up these our prayers to you in the name of your only begotten Son Jesus. Amen.
We close our vigil with these prayers:
The Woke Prayers of St. Francis
Help us O God to be woke! Woke as your peacemakers, change makers, heart changers, and love energy bringers!
Woke to the hatred so that we may sow seeds of love. Woke to the injury so that we may heal the hurt and cease the harm.
Woke to the divisiveness that we may be eager to heal and unite as one neighborhood and family.
Woke to uncertainty that will lead us to be renewed in faith.
Woke to the despair of all our neighbors so that we may sow seeds of radical hope, love, hospitality, and inclusion.
Woke to the knowledge that we are God's beloved children.
Woke to sing the words of We are One in The Spirit Peter Scholte
1-
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
We are One in The Spirit,
We are One in The Lord.
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
Chorus
And they'll know we are Christians by our love,
By our Love,
Yes they'll know we are Christians by our love.
-2-
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we'll guard each man's dignity
And save each man's pride.
Chorus
-3-
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
We will work with each other,
We will work side by side.
And we'll guard each man's dignity
And save each man's pride.
Chorus
-3-
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
We will walk with each other,
We will walk hand in hand.
And together we'll spread the News
that God is in our land.
Help us to be woke enough not to think of ourselves being the comforted, help us be the comforters and wounded healers.
Help not to be know it alls and be woke to understand what is plaguing our inner beings, neighbors, neighborhoods, the least of these, our family members.
God wake us up to be Woke to your agape love so that we may love everything that you have made.
Wake us to be Woke to Radical Love, Hospitality, and inclusion.
Help us to know that being truly woke means being open to radical and random acts of kindness and giving. Where the giver is given and receives much by acts of giving.
Help us to be woke enough to forgive and then find ourselves being actually forgiven
God Wake us Up to Be Woke to know that death isn't the end but only the beginning of a new birth in your heavenly Kindom. Amen and let it be so!
O God our shield and armor of light, whom we adore with all the angelic host: defend us from evil; watch over any who are in danger this night and give your angels charge over them; and grant that we may always rejoice in your heavenly protection and serve you bravely in the world; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Holy Wisdom, in your loving kindness you created and restored us when we were lost: inspire us with your truth, that we may love you with our whole minds and run to you with open hearts, through Christ our Savior. Amen. (source: Alcuin of York, Mass of Wisdom)
Good Night Dear Ones I Love you! and give thanks to God for our familyhood.
Blessings and Peace,
Sara
A to Z Quotes
Bible Gateway
Book of Occasional Services
Enriching our Worship 1 and 2
Walk With Me On Our Journey
Book of Common Prayer
A New Zealand Prayer Book
All other sources as noted
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