Dear Family of Love and Prayer Pilgrims!
Happy Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday! Wow it has been 2 weeks since Maundy Thursday! Time keeps flying and and many of those days we have spent crying. I have been pondering many things of late from tears, fitting in, letting go of past garbage, death of loved ones just to name a few.
Praying sometimes is on of those holy door openers that allow us to feel and show emotions. How many of us realize that crying is a valuable tool in becoming closer and in a better relationship with each other and especially God. I'm reminded that some of the most tender moments of our lives have tears as an accessory. We mustn't be afraid to cry and weep. We mustn't be afraid to feel. We mustn't be afraid experience raw and tender emotions! We mustn't be afraid! Period. So dear ones it is okay to cry and open holy doors to God, each other, and ourselves. Tears are healing agents sent from God to remind us that we are human beings who are allowed to feel and be tender beings. So let us be thankful for tears! Tears of Sadness that remind us of loved ones who have passed. Tears of Joy that remind us to celebrate the gift of living, loving, and all that is good. Tears that are sometimes are of anger that remind us sometimes that life may be unjust and that we must fight discrimination and as in our baptismal covenant "Respect the dignity of every human being"
Let us begin with our "Be Stills!"
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
It's okay to cry.
Fear not!
Peace be still!
Repeat until you find yourself going deeper into the center of your heart home and spend holy time with God.
Let us light our candles and be at prayer ! This night we pray and give thanks to God for our many blessings. We give thanks for the gifts of feeling emotions and tears that are shed in joy, sadness, loss, and righteous anger. We give thanks to God for making us all equal in God's eyes and in God's beautiful image and likeness. We give thanks for our family members nearby and far away. We give thanks for courage to speak truth to power. We pray this night for peace to prevail and that we may be led to make our life's work peace making and peaceful non-violent actions the way to show God's love to a fragile and broken world. We pray that all of our family members may become educated and know the value of learning to help make this world a better and just place in which to live. We pray that we may continue this season of prayer by continuing to pray for Burundi and Central America.
We pray that we may be ambassadors for God and Jesus by spreading the Good News of being people who are engaged in being CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful). Amen.
Prayers for Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday
Blessed Lord we pray for all of our family members who have been in our thoughts and hearts throughout the day. Bring them to mind so that we may pray for them.
Blessed Lord make each day we live one of thoughtfulness and thanksgiving
Let us never forget that You made us and never to take that for granted.
Blessed Lord unburden our minds so that we may enjoy the joy and light you bring into our lives.
Help us to let go and let you be our guardian and guide.
Blessed Lord may we all ways be mindful of the homeless, the hungry, the lonely, the lost, the unemployed and all those who may be forgotten but known only to you.
Help us to remember they are our family members too and may we come to their aid.
Blessed Lord we pray for all those discerning vocations and calls to the ordained ministry and new life paths.
Blessed Lord we pray for all those who minister in all your congregations and religious communities in what ever faith is practiced.
Blessed Lord be with those who travel in bad weather. We pray for an end to all the bad weather back East and for rain to heal the drought parched lands of the West.
Blessed Lord take all our fears and turn them into faithfulness rooted in you and your love for us.
Help us to have faith when we are unsure and unsteady on our feet.
Blessed Lord help us to heal your broken world with our words, deeds, and by loving all of your creation with a spirit of grace, stewardship, and equity.
Blessed Lord help us to speak truth to power daily and lead others to see you in our family members where there is hate and indifference. Help us to ring the bells, and speak truth to power all in the Key of Jesus.
Watch over all the places in the world that are in trouble and war torn. Help us always to pray for peace and be peacemakers. Grant wisdom to our leaders that they may help aid those nations who are in trouble peaceful and non-warlike solutions for the good of all your people.
Blessed Lord be with all your children who feel alienated, discriminated against, hated, and bullied. Help us to say no to these actions and bring them into your circle of abiding love and light.
Blessed Lord we pray for those who have asked us to carry prayers for in our hearts while we walk with you, remembering especially ________________________
Blessed Lord. we give thanks for all our blessings especially___________________________
Blessed Lord we celebrate _______________________As we celebrate everyday our life with you O God.
Blessed Lord we remember our family members who now reside with you in those amazing Thin Places where there is no pain but eternal joy and light and we remember them now_______________
Blessed Lord wrap your arms around those who grieve losses of any kind. Help us to be responsive to our family members needs.
Gracious God we lay these our prayers, thanksgivings, celebrations, and remembrances in your arms and know that you are taking them and answering them according to your will and in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Let us listen to John Rutter : I will sing with the Spirit and take time once again to bring to mind all those things that we have to be thankful for and these prayers have brought to our minds and our hearts.
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Dear Family of Love ! I love you, you matter, and I Give thanks to God for you, and you are always in my heart and in my thoughts whether or not I walk. Take care and rest, relax, refresh, and renew your bodies, minds, and spirits this night and always.
Love and peace of mind,
Sara
An additional tool and opportunity.
For those of you who wish to begin a prayer walking regimen with me as I return to the trail when I don't have physical therapy here it is! It is designed as a 30 minute walk.
This week's mini-walk is to get you more familiarized with your neighborhood and neighbors. If you don't know who your Neighbors/Family members are it's high time. They play a role in our safety too!
Mini Walk -Who are the People and places in your neighborhood. Praying and getting to know them and all our nearby family members.
Begin your walk with prayer.
Today go next door if you see someone home and say hi! Introduce yourself.
Get their names if you can.
Take time to learn a few welcoming phrases in Spanish if you have Latino neighbors.
Take down the Street Light Pole Number. Pray for safety on your walk!
What do the sidewalks look like are they in disrepair. Pray for those who repair the infrastructure in towns, cities, freeways, etc.
All these steps will help you become better acquainted and less fearful. Always do this with a light heart and with compassion. In my neighborhood we also have a shopping center. Pray for the businesses and for heaven's sake give the small businesses nearby business!
It's as simple as that! We can no longer be isolated from our family members. They make up an important part of where we and they live.
How many people in your neighborhood are the original neighbors? Take time to pray and remember all those who have moved out of your area. Remember that God calls and commands us to Love God, Love Neighbor, and Self! These aren't casual commands they are the way we are to live no matter what!
After you return from your walk, pray for your family members and think of way to be more neighborly.
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