A vigil and prayer time for the conservation of God's Cathedral of Life.

Good Evening Dear Family of Love and Fellow Children of God and of the Earth!

Happy Being Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday. I hope everyone is ready for tonight's vigil and prayer time. We are dedicating this vigil for the conservation of God's Cathedral of life Yes dear ones we need to connect with the air, the land, the waters, the animal and plant life because without it we will not be able to survive on this planet. 

Tonight let us begin with listening to: All Things Bright and Beautiful- Rutter


Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

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

A Smudging Prayer

 Creator, our Father in heaven, we come to you as your children. We confess that we are weak and broken images of you. We pray for the forgiveness and healing you give in Jesus Christ. May his Spirit clean our spirits, minds, hearts, and bodies. We pray that your Holy Spirit will help us to worship in spirit and truth. We pray in the name of Jesus, so that his Spirit will carry our prayers to you. Amen.

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

Canticle 12

A Song of Creation Benedicite, omnia opera Domini

Song of the Three, 35–65

Invocation

Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

In the high vault of heaven, glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

I. The Cosmic Order

Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, *

O heavens and all waters above the heavens.

Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *

all winds and fire and heat.

Winter and summer, glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, *

drops of dew and flakes of snow.

Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, *

O shining light and enfolding dark.

Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

II. The Earth and Its Creatures

Let the earth glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever

Glorify the Lord, O mountains

and hills, and all that grows upon the earth, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams, *

O whales and all that move in the waters.

All birds of the air, glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, *

and all you flocks and herds.

O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

III. The People of God

Let the people of God glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O priests and servants of the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

Doxology

Let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

In the high vault of heaven, glorify the Lord, *

sing praise and give honor for ever.

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

Prayer of  The Four Directions

Chief Seattle

Great Spirit of Light, come to me out of the East (red) with the power of the rising sun. Let there be light in my words, let there be light on my path that I walk. Let me remember always that you give the gift of a new day. And never let me be burdened with sorrow by not starting over again.

Great Spirit of Creation, send me the warm and soothing winds from the South (yellow). Comfort me and caress me when I am tired and cold. Unfold me like the gentle breezes that unfold the leaves on the trees. As you give to all the earth your warm, moving wind, give to me, so that I may grow close to you in warmth. Man did not create the web of life, he is but a strand in it. Whatever man does to the web, he does to himself. 

Great Life-Giving Spirit, I face the West (black), the direction of sundown. Let me remember everyday that the moment will come when my sun will go down. Never let me forget that I must fade into you. Give me a beautiful color, give me a great sky for setting, so that when it is my time to meet you, I can come with glory.

Great Spirit of Love, come to me with the power of the North (white). Make me courageous when the cold wind falls upon me. Give me strength and endurance for everything that is harsh, everything that hurts, everything that makes me squint. Let me move through life ready to take what comes from the north.

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

For Joy in God’s Creation

O heavenly Father, who hast filled the world with beauty:

Open our eyes to behold thy gracious hand in all thy works;

that, rejoicing in thy whole creation, we may learn to serve

thee with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all

things were made, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Great Spirit and Mother Earth

The Great Spirit is in all things, He is in the air we breathe. 

The Great Spirit is our Father, but the Earth is our Mother. 

She nourishes us, that which we put into the ground, She returns to us...

 - Big Thunder (Bedagi) - Wabanaki Algonquin

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

For the Human Family

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us

through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole

human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which

infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us

unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and

confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in

your good time, all nations and races may serve you in

harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ

our Lord. Amen.

Earth Prayer

Grandfather, Great Spirit, once more behold me on earth and lean to hear my feeble voice. 

You lived first, and you are older than all need, older than all prayer. 

All things belong to you -- the two-legged, the four-legged, the wings of the air, and all green things that live.

You have set the powers of the four quarters of the earth to cross each other. 

You have made me cross the good road and road of difficulties, and where they cross, the place is holy. 

Day in, day out, forevermore, you are the life of things.

Hey! Lean to hear my feeble voice.

At the center of the sacred hoop

You have said that I should make the tree to bloom.

With tears running, O Great Spirit, my Grandfather,

With running eyes I must say

The tree has never bloomed 

Here I stand, and the tree is withered.

Again, I recall the great vision you gave me.

It may be that some little root of the sacred tree still lives.

Nourish it then

That it may leaf

And bloom

And fill with singing birds!

Hear me, that the people may once again

Find the good road

And the shielding tree.

 - Black Elk 3

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

For Agriculture

Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so

that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who

work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that

we may all share the fruits of the earth, rejoicing in your

goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Earth Teach Me to Remember 

Earth teach me stillness 

as the grasses are stilled with light. 

Earth teach me suffering 

as old stones suffer with memory. 

Earth teach me humility 

as blossoms are humble with beginning. 

Earth Teach me caring 

as the mother who secures her young. 

Earth teach me courage 

as the tree which stands alone. 

Earth teach me limitation 

as the ant which crawls on the ground. 

Earth teach me freedom 

as the eagle which soars in the sky. 

Earth teach me resignation 

as the leaves which die in the fall. 

Earth teach me regeneration 

as the seed which rises in the spring. 

Earth teach me to forget myself 

as melted snow forgets its life. 

Earth teach me to remember kindness

as dry fields weep in the rain. 


Ute, North American
Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe


For Knowledge of God’s Creation
Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with
all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and
the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we
probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know
you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your
eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.









Thanksgiving Prayer 

We return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us.

We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with 
water.

We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure 
of our diseases.

We return thanks to the moon and stars, which have given to us their 
light when the sun was gone.

We return thanks to the sun, that has looked upon the earth with a 
beneficent eye.

Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in Whom is embodied all 
goodness, and Who directs all things for the good of Her children. 

Iroquois Prayer, adapted
(Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace)



Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe


For the Conservation of Natural Resources

Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth,
you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom
and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one
may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet
to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


Canticle 15

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.

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe



For the Harvest of Lands and Waters

O gracious Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all
things living with plenteousness: Bless the lands and waters,
and multiply the harvests of the world; let thy Spirit go
forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show thy
loving-kindness, that our land may give her increase; and
save us from selfish use of what thou givest, that men and
women everywhere may give thee thanks; through Christ
our Lord. Amen.

Canticle D

A Song of the Wilderness

Isaiah 35:1-7,10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, *
the desert shall rejoice and blossom;
It shall blossom abundantly, *
and rejoice with joy and singing.
They shall see the glory of the Lord, *
the majesty of our God.
Strengthen the weary hands, *
and make firm the feeble knees.
Say to the anxious, “Be strong, do not fear! *
Here is your God, coming with judgment to save you.”
Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, *
and the ears of the deaf be unstopped.
Then shall the lame leap like a deer, *
and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy.
For waters shall break forth in the wilderness *
and streams in the desert;
The burning sand shall become a pool *
and the thirsty ground, springs of water.
The ransomed of God shall return with singing, *
with everlasting joy upon their heads.
Joy and gladness shall be theirs, *
and sorrow and sighing shall flee awa

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

For the Future of the Human Race

O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us
dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before
the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes
for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in
making provision for its future in accordance with your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



Canticle J

A Song of Judith

Judith 16:13-16

I will sing a new song to my God, *
for you are great and glorious, wonderful in strength, invincible.
Let the whole creation serve you, *
for you spoke and all things came into being.
You sent your breath and it formed them, *
no one is able to resist your voice.
Mountains and seas are stirred to their depths, *
rocks melt like wax at your presence.
But to those who fear you, *
you continue to show mercy.
No sacrifice, however fragrant, can please you, *
but whoever fears the Lord shall stand in your sight for ever.

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.

Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

Canticle S
A Song of Our True Nature

Julian of Norwich

Christ revealed our frailty and our falling, *
our trespasses and our humiliations.
Christ also revealed his blessed power, *
his blessed wisdom and love.
He protects us as tenderly and as sweetly when we are in greatest need; *
he raises us in spirit
and turns everything to glory and joy without ending.
God is the ground and the substance, the very essence of nature; *
God is the true father and mother of natures.
We are all bound to God by nature, *
and we are all bound to God by grace.
And this grace is for all the world, *
because it is our precious mother, Christ.
For this fair nature was prepared by Christ
for the honor and nobility of all, *
and for the joy and bliss of salvation



~TO WALK THE RED ROAD~

Long road winding began in the stars,
spilled onto the mountain tops,
was carried in the snow to the streams,
to the rivers, to the ocean…
It covers Canada, Alaska, America,
Mexico to Guatemala,
and keeps winding around the indigenous.


The Red Road is a circle of people 
standing hand in hand,
people in this world, people between
people in the Spirit world.
star people, animal people, stone people,
river people, tree people…
The Sacred Hoop.

To walk the Red Road 
is to know sacrifice, suffering. 
It is to understand humility.
It is the ability to stand naked before God
in all things for your wrong doings,
for your lack of strength,
for your uncompassionate way,
for your arrogance - because to walk 
the Red Road, you always know
you can do better. And you know,
when you do good things,
it is through the Creator, and you are grateful.

To walk the Red Road
is to know you stand on equal ground
with all living things. It is to know that
because you were born human,
it gives you superiority over nothing.
It is to know that every creation carries a Spirit,
and the river knows more than you do,
the mountains know more than you do,
the stone people know more than you do,
the trees know more than you do,
the wind is wiser than you are,
and animal people carry wisdom.
You can learn from every one of them,
because they have something you don't:
They are void of evil thoughts.
They wish vengeance on no one, they seek Justice.

To Walk the Red Road,
you have God given rights,
you have the right to pray,
you have the right to dance,
you have the right to think,
you have the right to protect,
you have the right to know Mother,
you have the right to dream,
you have the right to vision,
you have the right to teach,
you have the right to learn,
you have a right to grieve,
you have a right to happiness,
you have the right to fix the wrongs,
you have the right to truth,
you have a right to the Spirit World.


To Walk the Red Road
is to know your Ancestors,
to call to them for assistance…
It is to know that there is good medicine,
and there is bad medicine…
It is to know that Evil exists,
but is cowardly as it is often in disguise.
It is to know there are evil spirits
who are in constant watch
for a way to gain strength for themselves
at the expense of you.

To Walk the Red Road,
you have less fear of being wrong,
because you know that life is a journey,
a continuous circle, a sacred hoop.
Mistakes will be made,
and mistakes can be corrected 
if you will be humble,
for if you cannot be humble,
you will never know
when you have made a mistake.

If you walk the Red Road,
you know that every sorrow
leads to a better understanding,
every horror cannot be explained,
but can offer growth.

To Walk the Red Road
is to look for beauty in all things.

To Walk the Red Road
is to know you will one day
cross to the Spirit World,
and you will not be afraid…


Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe

Words That Speak 
 
The American Indian is of the soil, whether it be the region of 
forests, plains, pueblos, or mesas. He fits into the landscape, 
for the hand that fashioned the continent also fashioned the man 
for his surroundings. He once grew as naturally as the wild 
sunflowers, he belongs just as the buffalo belonged.... 

Out of the Indian approach to life there came a great freedom, an 
intense and absorbing respect for life, enriching faith in a 
Supreme Power, and principles of truth, honesty, generosity, equity, 
and brotherhood as a guide to mundane relations. 

You have noticed that everything an Indian does is in a circle, 
and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, 
and everything tries to be round..... The Sky is round, and I have 
heard that the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. 
The wind, in its greatest power, whirls. Birds make their nest in 
circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.... 

Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always 
come back again to where they were. The life of a man is a circle 
from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power 
moves. 

-Black Elk (Oglala) 1863-1950




Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe




Canticle O
A Song of the Heavenly City

Revelation 21:22-26, 22:1-4

I saw no temple in the city, *
for its temple is the God of surpassing strength and the Lamb.
And the city has no need of sun or moon to light it, *
for the glory of God shines on it, and its lamp is the Lamb.
By its light the nations shall walk, *
and the rulers of the world lay their honor and glory there.
Its gates shall never be shut by day, nor shall there be any night; *
into it they will bring the honor and glory of nations.
I saw the clean river of the water of life, bright as crystal, *
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
The tree of life spanned the river, giving fruit every month, *
and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of nations.
All curses cease where the throne of God and the Lamb stands,
and all servants give worship there; *
there they will see God’s face, whose Name shall be on their foreheads.



Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe




The Beatitudes  



Matthew 5:3–12 



Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. 

Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. 

Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. 

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven



Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe








God we pray for peace your broken world.

May peace and love prevail.




God we pray for women and children and the most vulnerable who are in danger or abuse.

May peace, love, and compassionate care prevail.







God we pray for our enemies and our enemies' family members who are caught in war's cross hairs.

May peace and love prevail.







God we pray for all refugees, captives, and all who are victims of human trafficking. 

May they be set free to live in safety and may peace and love prevail.







God we pray for  all of our leaders that they may stop legislating cruelty and be aware that when they are hurting another human or living being they are hurting and doing violence to you.

May justice roll down and may peace and love prevail







God we pray for all of us who are struggling to live out in the open as the beautiful children whom God has made.  May we not be afraid to live authentically into our own truth.

May we have strength and courage to be ourselves and may peace, justice, equality, and love prevail.







God we pray for all who are ill in body mind and spirit may they be healed of all their infirmities!

May health and healing take place and may love and peace prevail in our bodies, minds, and spirits.







God we pray for all who are in mourning over any kind of  loss.

May love ,comfort and peace prevail in their hearts.







God we pray this night for all who are homeless, hungry, and ill clad.

May we lovingly respond to their needs and may they find shelter from the cold and nourishment for their bodies

.




God we add our thanksgivings, thoughtful thoughts, and additional prayers________________




Let us lift these our prayers in the Name of Jesus, our brother, friend, savior, teacher, and  healer. Amen.





Teach us love, compassion and honor ... that we may heal the Earth and heal each other." - Ojibwe 



The Song of Simeon Nunc dimittis

Luke 2:29-32

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.


The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.

(source: Celtic)




+++++



Good Night Dear Family. I love you ! Take time to conserve water 

and Natural Resources. I give thanks to God for you this day and

always.



With love and heartfelt blessings!



Sara





Resources: Native American Prayers

Canticles and prayers: Enriching our Worship, Book of Common Prayer.

Smudging Prayer: Metis Ministries.