Dear Family!
Today we are going to set our course on the path of discernment to discover we as God's children may be the agents of change in God's world. We are called to be good stewards of each other and the world. Let us take time to pray each day in silence to help us learn about ourselves and what God is calling us to do and to be.
Our first exercise is to engage in our traditional mindfulness exercises called "The Be Stills"
Let us start from the top down and then the bottom up! Down the ladder and up the ladder.
Think of it this way in this picture:
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Pause, reflect and breathe.
Be.
Be still.
Be still and know.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know that I am God.
God, we know that we live in unsettling and difficult times and in these times of chaos you demand the best from us. We light our candles and pray that you will illumine our pathways to discover what you are calling us to do and to be and how we must be the Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful change and light bearers in this world. We pray in times of these for peace in our heart homes and minds so that we may wrap ourselves around the important things in our lives and not dwell on those things that are negative and fatiguing. We pray that we may seek as a family to become the transformed family with unity in our hearts and that we may lay down the weaponry of hate and division. As we approach the Feast of the Transfiguration and 71st anniversary of Hiroshima let us pray these prayers:
For Vocation in Daily Work (BCP)*
Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory
and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the
earth: Deliver us in our various occupations from the service
of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in
truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of
him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For Social Service (BCP)*
Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served
but to serve: Bless all who, following in his steps, give
themselves to the service of others; that with wisdom,
patience, and courage, they may minister in his Name to the
suffering, the friendless, and the needy- for the love of him
who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus
Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen
The Transfiguration August 6 (BCP)*
O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses
your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment
white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being
delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith
behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and
you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen.
For those who Influence Public Opinion (BCP)*
Almighty God, you proclaim your truth in every age by many
voices: Direct, in our time, we pray, those who speak where
many listen and write what many read; that they may do their
part in making the heart of this people wise, its mind sound, and
its will righteous; to the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis (BCP)*
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.
* The BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
We lift up these our prayers to you O God and pray that we may in the light of these our candles we may see you and each other face to face, heart home to heart home, with boundless love energy for all. Amen.
Here is a selection of Byzantine Music from which to reflect with:
Praise the Lord From the Heavens
Dear Jesus may we become transformed and transfigured to do your will and that we may walk as children of the light.
Jesus, may we always be able to feel your presence wherever we are and may we always recognize Your gentle tap on our shoulder or butterfly in the stomach or a joy-filled heart.
Jesus, feed us each day with the Bread of Heaven and may we drink from the Waters of Eternal life that continually hydrates us.
Jesus, may we continually have our eyes fixed on you and follow the path that you have set for us in our daily life.
Jesus, may we see you in all of our family members who may not be the ones we have met yet. We pray for all refugees, strangers, captives. political prisoners, those who seek to divide, those who hate, those who are not able to see or move past the phobias, and isms.
Jesus, we pray for peace in the world where there seems to be a lack of it. We pray for peace in Your homeland and wherever there is a lack of peace.
Jesus, may we ever be grateful for all the blessings of this life an give thanks with an overflowing heart.
Jesus, we pray for________________
Jesus, help us to have each other's backs and love more fully each and every breath that we take.
Jesus, help us to be your hands, feet, voices, in the world to serve and help heal the least of these.
May we always remember those who have lost loved ones and that we may come to their aid with love, compassion, and comfort.
We lay these our prayers at the feet of Jesus the Christ our Redeemer. Amen.
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Good Night Dear Ones! I love you may you rest peacefully in God's most holy arms. I Give thanks to God for you this night and always!
Love, joy, peace, and blessings be always yours!
Sara
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