Following Jesus' and Micah's Playbook!

Good Evening Dear Ones!

Let us ponder and pray these quotes and follow Jesus' and Micah's playbook. So let us begin!

"Charity provides crumbs from the table; justice offers a place at the table." ~ Bill Moyers


"Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced." ~ James A. Baldwin

"True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"If you want peace, work for justice." ~ Pope Paul VI

"Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens." ~ Plato

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." ~ Desmond Tutu

"Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe." ~ Frederick Douglass



"The dead cannot cry out for justice. It is a duty of the living to do so for them." ~ Lois McMaster Bujold

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home - so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world ... Such are the places where every man, woman and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere." ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

++++

Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting
up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.    Psalm 141:2

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the
Lord Jesus Christ.    Philippians 1:2

Worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness; let the whole earth
tremble before him.    Psalm 96:9

Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established
the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the
earth; you made both summer and winter.    Psalm 74:15,16

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches
me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall.    Psalm 16:7,8

Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep
darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night;
who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon
the surface of the earth: The Lord is his name.    Amos 5:8

If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light
around me turn to night," darkness is not dark to you, O
Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to
you are both alike.    Psalm 139:10,11

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world; whoever follows me
will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
John 8:12

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and those who are afraid are not perfected in love. We love because God first loved us. If anyone says, I love God, and hates his brother or sister, that person is a liar; for those who do not love their brothers and sisters whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:18-20


‘I give you a new commandment,’ says the Lord, ‘that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’ John 13:34

Jesus said, ‘If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.’ John 13:14

Let us begin our worship time together with this prayer from the Arusha Call to Discipleship.

Loving God, we thank you for the gift of life in all its diversity and beauty. Lord Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, we praise you that you came to find the lost, to free the oppressed, to heal the sick, and to convert the self-centred. Holy Spirit, we rejoice that you breathe in the life of the world and are poured out into our hearts. As we live in the Spirit, may we also walk in the Spirit. Grant us faith and courage to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus: becoming pilgrims of justice and peace in our time. For the blessing of your people, the sustaining of the earth, and the glory of your name. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who abuse you. Do good and lend, expecting nothing in return; for God is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish. 
Be merciful as your father is merciful. Judge not and you will not be judged. Condemn not and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. 
Give and it will be given to you; for the measure you give will be the measure you receive. From Luke 6:27-38


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.

Tonight we light our candles and pray for strength and courage to love one another and fight injustice.

God you have commanded us to love one another and be your children, tonight as we light our candles and pray at whatever time this is read  let us be one. We pray that we may use our prayer muscles  to serve the least of these who haven't any voice. We pray that we may have the courage to love one another and fight the injustices that divide us and put us in harms way. We pray that we may have courage to act and say  #SayTheirNames #WeAreDoneDying Give us we pray the courage to stand together with our brothers and sisters of the African-American, Asian-American, LGBTQIA, Islamic, and Latino communities and seek to learn from each other. We pray that we may rise together and stand against all forms of oppression, discrimination, and isolationism. We pray that we may seek to stand in support for mental health services and that we may be able to get help for those who need it earlier rather than later. We pray this day for each other. Help us to build each other up and not tear each other down. We pray that we may build bridges of love, peace, and understanding and that we may carry your light, your love, and your peace into this world. We pray this in the name of God who sustains,Jesus who heals, and the Holy Spirit who empowers us. Amen. 

Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am God.

I am the God that healeth thee.
I am the God that healeth thee.
I am the God that healeth thee.

In thee, O God, I put my trust.
In thee, O God, I put my trust.
In thee, O God, I put my trust.

From The Resistance Prays

With what shall I come before the Lord,

And bow myself before God on high?

Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?

Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,

The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

He has told you, O mortal, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, and to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?

– Micah 6:6-8

Creator God,

Our country cries out for justice. It cries out for healing. It cries out for policy change. As we’re finishing the first week of Pentecost, continue to let Your holy and sacred fire burn out the evil in our society, our country and our world.

The church was born and baptized by fire. It is this sacred fire where our power comes from, and it’s this fire of righteous indignation and (com)passion that will further our steps as Jesus-followers during this prophetic season.

We ask for Your never-ending grace, for Your never-ending love, and Your justice and mercy to flow over our lives and the lives of those around us.

We ask this in Your holy name - 

Amen.
++++



25 Ad te, Domine, levavi

1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *
let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *
let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *
and teach me your paths.

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *
for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.

5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *
for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *
remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.

7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *
therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8 He guides the humble in doing right *
and teaches his way to the lowly.

9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *
to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

10 For your Name's sake, O Lord, *
forgive my sin, for it is great.

11 Who are they who fear the Lord? *
he will teach them the way that they should choose.

12 They shall dwell in prosperity, *
and their offspring shall inherit the land.


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 Timothy 2:8-15

8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David—that is my gospel, 9for which I suffer hardship, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, so that they may also obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 11The saying is sure:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 
12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he will also deny us; 
13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
A Worker Approved by God

14 Remind them of this, and warn them before God* that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth.

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

Mark 12:28-34

The First Commandment

28 One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, ‘Which commandment is the first of all?’ 29Jesus answered, ‘The first is, “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” 31The second is this, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no other commandment greater than these.’ 32Then the scribe said to him, ‘You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that “he is one, and besides him there is no other”; 33and “to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength”, and “to love one’s neighbour as oneself”,—this is much more important than all whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’ 34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ After that no one dared to ask him any question.


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.

Matthew 14:13-21

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.’ 16Jesus said to them, ‘They need not go away; you give them something to eat.’ 17They replied, ‘We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.’ 18And he said, ‘Bring them here to me.’ 19Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

A Song of True Motherhood
Julian of Norwich

God chose to be our mother in all things *
and so made the foundation of his work,
most humbly and most pure, in the Virgin’s womb.
God, the perfect wisdom of all, *
arrayed himself in this humble place.
Christ came in our poor flesh *
to share a mother’s care.
Our mothers bear us for pain and for death; *
our true mother, Jesus, bears us for joy and endless life.
Christ carried us within him in love and travail, *
until the full time of his passion.
And when all was completed and he had carried us so for joy, *
still all this could not satisfy the power of his wonderful love.
All that we owe is redeemed in truly loving God, *
for the love of Christ works in us;
Christ is the one whom we love.

The Lord’s Prayer or the alternative is said.

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.

Eternal Spirit, 
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.



Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he
suffered, instituted the Sacrament of his Body and Blood:
Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in
remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy
mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen.


Infinite, intimate God;
this night you kneel before your friends
and wash our feet.
Bound together in your love, trembling,
we drink your cup and watch.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.
Almighty God, whose prophets taught us righteousness in the care of your poor: By the guidance of your Holy Spirit, grant that we may do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly in your sight; through Jesus Christ, our Judge and Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.


 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.

Let us pray.

God help us we pray to build bridges and tear down walls. Give us strength to truly to become peacemakers and your children.

God we pray for the least of these who are homeless, hungry, without sufficient clothing and we remember especially that these are our family members who need our compassion, acceptance, love, and mercy. 

God we pray for compassionate immigration reform as we remember all refugees . We pray that all families may be kept together and remember the children who were born here are beloved citizens.

We pray for freedom to practice our faiths with out fear and the need to divide and profile us by the faith(s) we practice.

We pray for an end to all forms of violence, terror, bullying and abuse both in action and in words.

We pray for peace, unity, and justice, and remember as in the baptismal covenant  in the BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER as one of the questions " Will you strive for justice and peace among all

people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

Help us we pray that we may lay down all weaponry of hate and division and be united in heart, mind, and spirit. 

We pray for seasonable weather and a respect and conservation of God's Cathedral of Life. We pray for help reducing our carbon footprints and solutions to global warming and climate change. We pray for the care of all of our animal kingdom and all endangered species. We pray for laws banning imported ivory and all wild game hunts.

We pray  for all victims of hate, bullying, abuse, human trafficking, and all who have died because of their sexual orientation and gender. 

We pray and give thanks this day for_________________________________

We lift up these our prayers in the name of  (Place your own deity of choice here) Amen. 

or these

Let us pray!

Dear God we sometimes cannot explain the unexplainable but that is when we must and need to have faith in you.  As we continue to walk with you on our journey may we have faith to put our feet on your holy ground and walk with love and purpose and  be your hands, feet, love, voice, arms and bodies in your world. Amen.
                                                      
           In Perfect Harmony a Prayer in the Key of Jesus- The Key of Jesus is  love!

Help us to walk, pray, think and love in the key of Jesus.

Help us to bring hope, make peace, give joy, and show love in the key of Jesus.

Lord help us to shine the light of Christ's love to the world in the key of Jesus.

Help us to be your grace and spirit filled  ministers and  tender and loving caregivers in the key of Jesus.

Help us to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with you and in the key Jesus.

Help us to have compassion, be a comfort to those who are lonely, ill, hungry, and homeless in the key of Jesus. 

Thank you Lord for your Son Jesus and your Cathedral of Life in which we live. Amen!

Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind, in the waves, and in our hearts
Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind,in  the waves.
Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind.
Be still and hear the whisper of God.
Be still and hear the whisper.
Be still and hear.
Be still.
Be.

God is Love and where true love is,God himself is there!
God is Love and where true love is God himself is.
God is Love and where true love is God
God is Love and where true love is.
God is Love

Prayers and a rant in heartache. From the blog A voice was heard,,,,,,,,

How long must we be faced with the deaths of our innocents? How long must our family members endure torture at the hands of governments, tyrants, and extremists ? How long must we see and hear these stories of murder, abuse, terror, hate and injustice on a daily basis? How long will it take for so-called Christian people to wake up and see what they are saying and preaching is against the Lord and Savior they are supposedly following? How long O, God ? How Long? How long  O, Jesus? How long O, Holy Spirit? How Long? 

Let us with God's help:

Stand with the families and communities of George Floyd,Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade and all places where racial violence is occurring on a daily basis.

( You may add additional cities and family members who were and are affected each day by acts of violence and terror)

Not be complacent but actively engaged in fighting injustice everywhere.

Stand up for what is right, just, and merciful.

Stand up against violence, terror, torture, and abuse of any kind.

Stand up and practice peace and be God's peace makers.

Stand with refugees, captives, victims of violence and abuse, victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, our undocumented immigrants, LGBTQ sisters and brothers. We all our family !

Love God, Family members, and ourselves.

Stand up and be light bearers to your fragile and broken world.

Stand up for universal human rights for all God's Children.

Stand with each other and not against each other.

Stand up against extremism in all its forms.

Stand with the least of these

Stand with the voiceless ones and those who are crying out and seeking to be heard.

Stand with the vulnerable.

Stand with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as bringers of love, peace, joy, and hope.

The light of Christ in me recognizes the light of Christ in you!

The God in me Loves me Loves the God in you!

The Holy Spirit who comforts me Comforts you this day when things we can't explain and gives us heavy heart.

Will you Stand with me?  Will you love one another?  Will you love your enemies and do good to those who hate you?  Will you continue to walk with me on our journey?

Here are  additional prayers based on the above.

Let us with God's help stand together in prayer responding  Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we,Stand with the people of Orlando, San Bernardino, Paris, Lebanon, Beirut, Palestine, Israel, Syria, Baghdad, Ferguson, Staten Island, Sandy Hook, Sydney, Peshwar and all places where violence is occurring on a daily basis.
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we, Not be complacent but actively engaged in fighting injustice everywhere.
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we ,Stand up for what is right, just, and merciful.
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we,Stand up against violence, terror, torture, and abuse of any kind.
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we,Stand up and practice peace and be God's peace makers.
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we, Stand with refugees, captives, victims of violence and abuse, victims of modern slavery and human trafficking, our undocumented immigrants, LGBTQ sisters and brothers. We all our family !
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we, Love God, our Family members, and ourselves.
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we,Stand up and be light bearers to your fragile and broken world.
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we, Stand up for universal human rights for all God's Children.
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we,Stand with each other and not against each other.
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we, Stand up against extremism in all its forms
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Stand with the least of these
Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we, Stand with the voiceless ones and those who are crying out and seeking to be heard.

Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we, Stand with the vulnerable.

Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

Lord God may we,Stand with you, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit as bringers of love, peace, joy, and hope.

The light of Christ in me recognizes the light of Christ in you!

The God in me Loves me Loves the God in you!

The Holy Spirit who comforts me Comforts  you this day when things we can't explain and gives us heavy heart.

Lord God we add our own prayers and those of our family members who have requested our prayers especially_____________

Come Lord Jesus and Help us!

To You, O Lord, our God.

Will we Stand together ?  Will we continue to  love one another?  Will we continue to  love our enemies and do good to those who hate us? Will we continue to serve and support all of us who are brothers and sisters in the Family of Love who are friends, allies, of those who are in the LGBTQ community and those who practice Islam?

Will we stand together as children of God and as peace makers and those who speak truth to power? Ponder these things.

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.

Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind, in the waves, and in our hearts

Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind,in  the waves.

Be still and hear the whisper of God in the Wind.

Be still and hear the whisper of God.

Be still and hear the whisper.

Be still and hear.

Be still.

Be.

God is Love and where true love is,God himself is there!

God is Love and where true love is God himself is.

God is Love and where true love is God

God is Love and where true love is.

God is Love

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 Ones, I love you and give thanks to God for you this night and always.  May we practice love, random acts of kindness, and radical hospitality.

With love prayers, blessings 
Sara

Resources
A to Z QuotesBook of Common Prayer
Satucket Lectionary
Oremus Bible Browser
Walk With Me On Our Journey
A New Zealand Prayer Book