Wonders and Signs

Miraculous God, I hear people say they will only believe in You if they can have proof you exist. Signs are important to them to understand how You work, where You are at any given time and what Your plans are for the next few years or so. I guess, God that they have a point. You have a whole lot of power to work with, and wonders and signs seem to be a pretty easy, tangible way of expressing Yourself. It also would clear up a lot of questions.

But You parse these bits of glamour and glitz out sparingly, like seasonings in a finely crafted stew. Too much and the whole pot is uneatable. Not enough and the zest is gone. We trust You with this delicate balance, God, believing that faith is the bridge that will bring us to deeper knowledge and renewed vision for Your activity. Amen.

Begin With Me

Begin with me, God, as You began the world. Teach me to create as You create, with grace, truth, mercy and love.

Begin with me, God, as You began the world. Teach me the beauty of both heaven and earth, the seas and the skies, the wild and the tame.

Begin with me, God, as You began the world. Teach me the songs that stir from the rocks, the birds, the squirrels and the trees, presenting a symphony of sounds.

Begin with me, God, as You began the world. Teach me to listen for Your voice through all the people I encounter this day and every day. Amen.

Hallowed Be Your Name

Our Loving Creator, we glorify Your name today and every day. We pray that Your world will always be our world, that Your will will always be our will, both here and in heaven. Please nourish and sustain us with what we need for today. Forgive us all the ways that we hurt ourselves, each other and You, as we forgive those who hurt us. Please lead us away from that which would harm us and protect us when we choose a path of destruction. You are our world, our strength and our song. Amen.

Why Are We Weeping?

Why are we crying, God? What breaks our hearts to the point of filling our souls with over flowing sadness and pain? What is it about our lives that separates us from You, causing us to seek solace in our own tears?

What will bring us back to You for what we most need from You? A contrite heart? A sprit looking for forgiveness beyond human acceptance or understanding? A recognition that we cannot manage this journey as well when we attempt to take our steps without You beside us?

Whatever it takes to come back to You, we know that when we do our tears will be dried. We will be forgiven, understood, accepted because that is who You are for us. Amen.

Some Things We Know

We know that You created the earth, God.

We know that You shaped us in Your image.

We know that You shared Jesus of Nazareth, Your son, with us, to teach us Your ways of living and caring for each other and the whole of creation.

We know that Your spirit sustains us through everything that life brings. We know that in everything You work for good with those who love You, who are called according to Your purpose. Amen.

Grumbling for God

God, does it bother You when all we do is complain? It bothers me when I hear myself being miserable and grumpy when I can make a choice to be otherwise. You offer us this opportunity of choice, teaching us that we can approach life without complaint, without questioning Your authenticity. But, we are a little stubborn, to say the least. We like what we like when we like it, and we are spoiled in being able to achieve most of our goals for physical and personal fulfillment. But, not all of them. The next time we hit a stumbling block, God, please lift us up, help us brush ourselves off and face whatever we have tripped over with dignity. Remind us that complaining doesn't really change anything, and that You have not put difficulties in our way. Difficulties are a part of the human existence, but so are You. Amen.

Unity

How many churches does it take to make Your body whole? We Christians like our diversity of worship styles, from traditional to contemporary, filled with organ music, gospel choirs, electric guitars, drums, brass choirs and pianos. We meet in brick and mortar sanctuaries, old storefronts, outside under the trees and the stars. We like to feel comfortable with each other, but stirred to action by Your spirit. It is Your spirit that calls forth all of our gifts that, blended together, make up the fullness that is the body of Christ, Your son. Our diversity only makes more clear the broadness and depth of Creation. Amen.

Promises

Historical God, generations of faith and hope are embodied by the ancient people of Israel, our spiritual ancestors, through the centuries to our parents and grandparents. Our own lives, and those of our children, welcome the age-old wisdom and grace offered to believers in Your words, promises that will never grow old or die. We are sustained by all that You are and all that we can become, trusting You. Amen.

Repentance

It is time to back up, God, and take stock of the things we have done and left undone that do not match up with Your will for us or for our world. Your kingdom is at hand, the kingdom of heaven. In fact, it is already here and we have some choices to make. If we want to be a part of Your kingdom, Your nation, what does that require of us? How are we supposed to treat each other? What should the focus of our work be? How are our families supposed to shape themselves? How about our individual and community relationships with You? Do we have a picture of what all of this?

You have given us abundant information with which to work and Your ever vigilant spirit on which to call for assistance whenever we need it for support. The basics are pretty simple: love You, love each other, love ourselves. Simple, but a challenge to put into consistent practice.

Please, God, hear us when we come to you with contrite hearts, truly ready to ask You for forgiveness, truly ready to forgive ourselves for all the foolish things we do and for the right things we leave undone. Please keep us ever mindful of loving You, each other and ourselves as being our first priorities. Amen.

Prophetic Voices

God Who Knows All, who are Your prophets? To whom should we be looking to hear Your words more clearly, most directly? We want to explore new vistas, do good work, find justice and make peace, but we are not always quite sure who is speaking Your truth, especially when we see powerful leaders making what appear to be choices that have no connection to Your teachings, even though they claim allegiance to Your name. Please point us to those speaking Your truth to the powers of the world that are all around us. Guide us on Your path of awareness, really seeing what Your truth looks like when we see it so that we do not become discouraged and move on before we have fully grasped its meaning and implications. Amen.

Who is Welcome?

God, sometimes I feel as if keeping a few people I am not fond of out of heaven may not be a bad idea, or too much to ask. Will they really mind spending eternity away from me, out of my sight and out of my mind? Would it be possible, at least, to compartmentalize heaven based on who got along here on earth? It seems sensible.

But, that is not how You work, is it, God? We often believe we are in charge of making the rules, deciding who gets what, when and how much. It becomes very easy to keep that mindset when considering Your will, on earth or in heaven. While we find it easy to project that with which we feel most comfortable onto You, the reality is that Your ways are inclusive above all else. You made all of us and we all remain as Your children. Heaven can hold a whole lot of us and there is room for all of us to finally figure out ways to get along. Amen.

Singing God's Praises

Joyfully, joyfully we adore You, oh God of our salvation and our hope of all hopes! We are giddy, twirling, dancing, spinning, leaping with the complete and utter joy that can only be You deep down in our souls. We cannot contain ourselves! How could we? You are all-knowing, all-caring, always working for us in ways we cannot even begin to realize or understand. You rally to our defense, stand up for us against anyone who would try to defeat us. You welcome us to live with You always, not as a guest, but as Your children. You love us no matter what. Amen.

Seasons

As the earth gently turns away from the sun's warmth, it is important to remember that You are still ever present. The leaves are starting tumbling to the ground, their beauty signals Your gifts of color, crisp texture and rich scent that only bless us at this time of year. The days and nights are cooler, welcoming us to gather in thanksgiving for what this year has been as we round the corner into its final months. No matter what the season, You are a God for all our seasons, both earthly and spiritually. Amen.

Seeking God

When do we seek You, God?

Is it when we are feeling most alone, frightened, anguished? Or is it when we have something special to share that only You will understand?

When else can we seek You, God?

May we call upon Your name, ask for Your presence at other times in our lives? Are You always near, even when we don't acknowledge You?

When are You near, God?

Perhaps we can remember that You are a God who is always near, always ready to laugh with us, not at us. You are a God who dances the jig when we connect with Your spirit and open our hearts to other people. You are a God who delights in our happiness, strength, creativity.

Please remind us that we can seek You, call upon You, come to You and be with You whenever we choose. You will always answer, always be present with us and for us. Amen.

Shepherd's Care

The Lord is our shepherd, so we will never lack for anything. Not now, not ever, because You, oh God, are the source and being of that that is and all that we could ever hope to need. When we are lonely, You come into our hearts bearing comfort, companionship. When we are afraid, You ease our fears with Your loving embrace. When we are sad, Your joy cheers us. When we have walked away from you for reasons we may not even understand, You forgive us, and beckon us to return once more. You know us. You love us. Who could ask for more? Amen.

Prosperity

Generous God who lives in our hearts, thank you for the elegance and grace of Your creation. Your extravagance is evident. The smallest flower knows the details of Your handiwork. The bountiful harvest we enjoy year round supplies us with fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, beans and grains, health-filled riches all created for us. The souls of we, Your people, overflow with love, kindness and mercy. You are everywhere, and we are grateful. Help us to build on all that You have given us and to share it with everyone in return. Amen.

Letter Writing

Teacher God, please give us a new lesson in letter writing. What nouns, verbs, pronouns, adjectives, adverbs and conjunctions are most pleasing to You as we begin to shape the text of our lives? To whom will these letters be directed and what will be their intent? What do we hope to achieve with this correspondence?What do we want people to know about us and about You as we compose them? Many people believe that a picture speaks a thousand words, but we have no pictures of Jesus except his words, and we have a pretty good idea of who He was and what He aimed to do with His life. Please help us choose the words of our life letters carefully, consciously and with loving intent to the purposes of Your grace and goodness. Amen.

In the Beginning

In the beginning was Your Word. Your Word travels with us through time, through our lives and beyond. In all our beginnings, God, Your Word is there, guiding us, enlightening us, establishing us as Your people. Your Word binds us to each other with grace, justice, mercy and truth. These are the ways people know us, by how we live Your Word, are Your Word. Please help us be true to Your Word in all that we say and do. Amen.

Comparable Worth

To whom that will we compare You, God, that You should be like someone else? Should You be like our parents whom, as children, we perceived as unfair, judgmental, mean-spirited or selfish? Should You be a sugar daddy, doling out all kinds of goodies just because we think You can and should? Should You be pliable to our every wish and whim, making life as easy as possible?

Regardless of how we would label You, You Are Who You Are. You are loving, kind, honest, reliable, and You are ours. When we have a need to make You into something or someone You are not, please help us see You as You are. When we have a need to limit You, either by old ideas or from fear of knowing more about You, please open our hearts and minds to Your wholeness. When we are ready to receive the fullness of who You are, thank You for being there with open arms. Amen.

Being Christian

Great Shepherd, while Jesus lived on earth He modeled Your hope for how we could care for one another while we live here on earth as well. We are to listen for Your voice, treating each other how we would like to be treated. We are to feed the hungry, heal the sick, comfort the broken hearted, clothe those who are without clothes and basically love everybody in concrete, tangible ways that evidence Your spirit in our hearts. Rather than waste time feeling guilty for what we have left undone in this regard, we pray that we can look again to Jesus' teachings and do our best to exemplify Your grace in action as we live each day. Amen.

Praising God

Praise God who gives us every good thing!
Let each of us adore God because God adored us first and always will!
God is good, God is great and God loves us now and forevermore!
It is time to dance, to sing, to make music and laughter in honor of God's Holy and Glorious Name.
It is time to rejoice!
It is time to make merry!
It is time join with all creation in praising God Who is Our God! Amen.

Graceful Remorse

When we know we have done something or someone wrong, please forgive God. When we are afraid to come to You with contrite hearts, please forgive us, God. When we have left undone what we know You would have us do, please forgive us, God. When we allow tiredness, irritability, impatience, hopelessness, anger, frustration or anything else to impose on our connection with You, please forgive us, God. When we blame other people for how we feel, view the world or experience life, please forgive us, God. When we don't know which way to turn, and fail to ask for Your help, please forgive us, God, and help us anyway. Amen.