Walk With me on Our Journey: She who prayer walks and sings, prays thrice! Think of what St. Augustine said "He who sings prays Twice!"

Dear Family of Love and pilgrims on Our Journey,

Good news tonight! I did something that is quite miraculous for someone who has been feeling tired of late. I did half a prayer walk loop at a good clip and raised my voice in song to the strains of Vivaldi Gloria! I Sung along to the entire piece of music and never got tired or out of breath. How's that dear family of love and pilgrims on our prayer walking journey? I'm amazed each day what God puts before me. I am however beginning to lose my hair.! I don't mind but is a little strange to see all of these strands of hair on my black shirt while I write this blog. Maybe I'll get a wig, get a hairstyle like Stephanie Forester, or shave my head and look like all the other Cancer patients and maybe Persis Khambatta. I'm not afraid of this and I'm glad that it's during the Summer. I feel your love and prayers every day and know that this adds to my being strong in my faith and belief in God. Tonight we have much to be thankful for and also to pray for. Let's take a moment to find peace at our center and pray. If you haven't already done so please turn off your TV, Music, and listen to the sound of your heart, your breathing, and the sound of your home.

Gracious God we come before you this evening with our hearts and minds filled with prayers and thanksgivings help us to take our time and be with you as we pray and give thanks.

God we give thanks for new found energy and strength. Give us courage to rest when we need it and when we need to move give us the strength to do it.

Help us to find peace when things in our bodies, minds, and spirits change. May we accept side effects of some medications as a symbol that You and the medications are working. Help us to realize hair doesn't make up who we are.

We pray for peace in Iraq, Syria,South Sudan, Darfur, Afghanistan, and The Ukraine. We continue to pray for an end of violence against women and girls. We remember the girls in Nigeria who are missing. We pray for their safe return.

We pray for all fathers and male role models who are mentors, parents, and support systems for those who do not have fathers in their lives. We remember and pray for all those who mourn the loss of their fathers for the first time on this Father's Day weekend.

We pray for an end to gun violence and for those who continue to mourn the losses of life and who have been victimized in this way. We remember all 74 shootings that have taken place since Sandy Hook and Sandy Hook as well. Let there be #NotOneMore of these senseless acts of violence.

We pray for all those who have chronic and autoimmune illnesses and pain. We pray for healing and strength to meet every minute of the day.

We pray for all of us who are cancer free and undergoing treatment to make the cancer stay at bay.

We pray for all those who work while we sleep and pray for their safety at work.

We pray for all our troops, and first responders

We pray this day for all of our family members who are homeless, hungry, mentally ill and who feel isolated and alone. We pray that we may knit circle of love and welcome for the least of these your dear children O God.

We pray for all who are graduating this weekend and for their safety as they celebrate.

We pray for all who are discerning calls to ordained ministry and those who are in the process to be ordained.

We pray for all seeking employment and new life paths.

We remember all of our family members who are celebrating birthdays as we pray the Birthday Prayer that we use at St. Peter's :

We lift up our prayers for ourselves and on behalf of others especially______________________

We give thanks to you O God for our many abundant blessings that are filled to the brim and overflowing especially__________________

We celebrate the many special things that happen in our daily lives especially________________

We remember our family members who are dying and those who now reside in the Thin Places with you especially____________. We continue to pray for those of us who mourn losses of any kind and that we may be sources of comfort and consolation.

God of all that is good,loving, and holy accept these our prayers and thanksgivings in the name of your Son Jesus. Amen.

*****
Good Night Dear Family of Love! I love you and may we all rest gentle in God's most loving and enfolding arms. Remember tomorrow is Self-Care Saturday and that means all of us need to be kind to ourselves and remember the caregivers.

Love, joy, blessings, peace and prayers ascending for each of you my dear family!

Sara