Daily Prayer: EVENTS

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a prayer to celebrate those who have gone before us

O God of Mercy,

We hold before you those whose memory we cherish.

As we remember, help us to celebrate their lives with our own.

Bless us to allow their lives to teach us and open our eyes.

As we remember, fill our hearts with gratitude for our predecessors.

Grant us grace to live lives that honor those who have gone before us.

Amen.

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In Appreciation of Mom

Years ago, I saw a picture in my mind. I first saw an image of a very beautiful yellow flower. As I looked the vision seemed to pan out and I saw a golden haired young woman kneeling before the planting. She was crying as she toiled - working the soil with her hands. I then began receiving a few words which I wrote down. Here they are:

The Cultivator

I saw her bowed down before a glorious planting of flowers,

Hands in the soil, tenderly working the roots with water and her hands,

Her flowers are beautiful, her plantings prosperous,

All she plants does very well and nothing withers in the sun,

The Lord has given her favor because she is faithful and a lover of God,

Stooped down, she has taken the position of serving and intercession,

With humility of heart and conviction of soul she is a mighty force,

She is The Cultivator. She is Mom!

These words are so appropriate for today, Mother's Day. If you are a mom then please take these words of encouragement to heart. Your children appreciate the tears, the words and the deeds that you have cultivated into their lives. Amen.

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an Easter prayer

Dear Lord Jesus,

I rejoice in your glorious victory over death.

Thank you for the cross and the empty tomb.

These give me hope for the future.

And a knowing that my present sufferings have a purpose.

Help me to live in the reality of your resurrection.

Bless me to spread your love and light to those around me.

Because you live, I know that light overcomes darkness.

All praise be to you O Risen Lord!

In Your name, I pray. Amen.

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as we set our clocks forward

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the extra daylight and the promise of a new season. As we 'spring forward' and adjust our clocks, help us to adjust our hearts to Your rhythm.

When we feel tired or disrupted, give us renewed strength and energy. Help us to make the most of this extra light to shine Your love in the world.

In Jesus' name, Amen

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a prayer to begin a new year

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for the gift of this new year, a chance to start fresh.

I pray for your wisdom and guidance as I step into this new beginning.

Help me to release past burdens, regrets, or old ways that hold me back.

Strengthen me to face challenges with patience, kindness, and integrity.

Use me as a vessel of hope, to uplift others and be your light in the world.

Align my heart with Yours, transform my mind, and restore me to be like you.

Bless me not to dwell on yesterday but focus forward with faith.

I am trusting in your mercies that are new every morning.

I surrender this year to you, knowing I do not walk alone.

Amen.

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a prayer in dark times

Today is the Winter Solstice - the longest night of the year. I post this meditation (written in 2001 by Rev. Diane Hendricks) every year as a reminder that things are not always as they seem. Darkness eventually gives way to light and night transitions to morning. And we can have hope in the darkest of times.

Longest Night Meditation

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Only it's not.

Not for everyone.

Not when there is an empty chair at the table.
Not when your body is ravaged with illness.
Not when the depression is too much to bear.
Not without her voice joining yours on the Christmas carols.
Not when you feel all alone even in a crowd.
Not when you are not sure you can even afford the rent or mortgage,
let alone the presents.
Not when they are trying their best to get the best of you.
Not when another Christmas party means he will come home drunk again.

It's the most wonderful time of the year?

No, it's not.

And trying to smile and say Merry Christmas is more than difficult.

It's pretty near impossible.

C.S. Lewis once wrote:

"No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning..."

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Only it's not.

Not after he has died.

Not after the doctor gave you the news.
Not after they told you they would be downsizing.
Not after... you fill in the blank.
Not after September 11.
Not when there is so much violence and destruction in the world.

In truth, it has never been the most wonderful time of the year. Certainly not in the days surrounding that first Christmas so long ago. The story of the birth of Jesus is not to be told with a jolly voice and a merry ho-ho-ho.
It is the story of a teenage girl, pregnant with a child that is not her husband's.

It is the story of a child born in a dirty animal stall.
It is the story of a family of refugees who had to flee their homeland so that their child would not be killed.
It is the story of one sent into the world in peace who was condemned to death.
It is the story of a light sent to shine in the darkness, which the world snuffed out.
It is the story of God's never-ending, self-giving mercy which was rejected and condemned.
In the great work the Messiah, Handel quotes the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming that Jesus was "despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief." One great theologian reminds us that we cannot come to the manger without acknowledging that it lays in the shadow of the cross.

It is not the most wonderful time of the year.

Only it is! It is:
If we forget about the tinsel and the trees.
If we forget about the holly jolly tidings.
If we forget about the presents and the ornaments and the trappings.
And remember. Remember the story.
Mary was alone and afraid.
But God was with her and exalted her among women.
Joseph was disgraced.
But God revealed in Joseph's cause for disgrace God's plan to save the world.
The world was in darkness.
But God sent the light of life to shine.
The lowly were imprisoned.
But Jesus set them free.
The blind wandered aimlessly.
But Christ gave them eyes to see.
The lame were rejected.
But through the Holy One they were made to leap and dance.
The deaf were confined to the silence.
But the song of life unstopped their ears.
The sorrowful grieved.
But God wipes away our tears.
We were alone.
But in Jesus Christ, Emmanuel, God is with us.
The people rejected God.
But God embraces us.
The world crucified Christ.
But God would not allow that to be the last word, and gave us the sure hope of the resurrection.
It is the most wonderful time of the year, not because you have to be cheery and happy and merry.

But because you don't.

You can have heavy spirits and shattered dreams. Broken hearts and deep wounds.

And still God comes to be with you.
To comfort you.
To redeem you.
To save you.
To restore you.
To empower you.
To strengthen you.
To grant you peace.
To be raised for you.
To hold you in the communion of saints with those whom you have loved and lost.
To store your tears in his bottle.
To offer you eternal life.
It is the most wonderful time of the year.
For Christ is born.
Love has come.
God is with us!
Thanks be to the Lord our God.

Amen

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a prayer to increase our strength

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A Prayer to Celebrate the Miracle of Christmas

Dear Father,

Christmas began with the miracle of the Incarnation.

It seems that it is a time of hope, possibilities and optimism.

We thank you so much for giving us Jesus.

As we celebrate his miraculous birth, turn our hearts toward heaven.

Cause us to see you anew with hearts transformed by your Spirit.

Bless us to reflect your love and goodness to all around us.

You, O blessed Savior, are worthy of all honor and praise.

In this season we celebrate and glory in your Son.

To him belongs all praise.

In love we say amen. And amen.

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a prayer to help others this holiday season

Dearest Lord,

During this season of Christmas we ask you to open our eyes.

Help us to see those who are hurting, sad and lonely.

We pray for those around us who need your touch and ministry.

Extend your hand of compassion and provision through us to them.

Help us to be vessels of Your love and support.

Bless us as we offer helping hands and listening ears.

We thank you, Father, for the privilege of prayer and ministry.

To you belongs all praise and honor.

We love you Lord.

Amen.

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a prayer for clarity

Lord of Light and Clarity,

As we begin this season of Advent, fill our hearts with your beautiful light.

As seasonal candles are lit, bring the warmth of the time to our hearts.

In the darkness of uncertainty, remind us that your love never fails.

Bring clarity to our lives as we confess our trust in Your presence.

Help us to recognize the still small voice of your Spirit.

Bring grace to our lives as we lean into your presence in us.

Strengthen our hearts and minds for the days ahead.

Help us to carry your light and hope into the world.

Amen

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A Prayer as we Prepare for Christmas

Lord Jesus, master of both the light and the darkness,

Send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.

We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day.

We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.

We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.

We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.

We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.

To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!'

Amen.

- Henri J.M. Nouwen

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a prayer to remember our fallen

God of all mercy and peace,

On this Memorial Day weekend, we give thanks.
For those who courageously laid down their lives for our freedom.

For the families and friends who suffered and lost so much.
May the examples of their sacrifice inspire in us a selfless love.

Bless the families of our fallen, and fill their homes and their lives with strength.

Embolden us to answer the call to work for peace and justice.

Motivate us to seek an end to violence and conflict around the globe.

We ask this in your name.

Amen

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An Easter Prayer

Dear Father,

Today is the day that we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On this day we turn our backs on death and open our hearts to life.

We embrace hope, remembering that the grave was not the last word.

With joy, we recall the story of the stone that was rolled away.

Our hearts are captured by the Easter story.

Christ is risen from the grave and forgiveness reigns. Hallelujah!

We confess our love to you and pray for all to be transformed.

In praise and adoration we pray in Jesus' name.

Amen.

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a prayer to have hope when all seems lost

Dear God,

On days like this, when all seems lost, give us hope.

When life seems so pointless, point us to resurrection.

Open our eyes to see Easter when life seems to blind us.

Awaken our minds to see with inner vision.

And our hearts to fully embrace your spirit within us.

To you we give all praise and honor.

Amen.

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a prayer for palm sunday

Dearest Savior,

On this holy day, we remember how the crowds cheered.

We shout blessings to you Lord, saying hosanna in the highest.

The day also brings to memory the tears of Jesus as he looked upon Jerusalem.

In grief, he spoke of a city who would reject their king.

We also recall how crowds would gather against Jesus later that week.

Cries for death and crucifixion would fill the sky.

These verses cause us to examine ourselves and our motives.

Have mercy on us that we might see clearly and act justly.

Help us to see ourselves clearly and our circumstances through new eyes.

Bless us to be people who welcome you every day of our lives.

Cause us to be ones who bring you joy and delight.

Above all help us to be people who love you and each other.

Amen.

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a Lenten prayer for awareness

Dear Father,

I pray that this Lenten season will make me aware.

Aware of how much I need more of you in my life.

Aware of how much I need more healing in my life.

Aware of how much I need more love in my life.

Aware of how much I need more grace in my life.

I pray that, in this Lenten season, I will find these and more.

Help me to see the many ways that you are blessing me.

Create in me a heart of mercy and thanksgiving.

To you belongs all praise and honor.

Amen.

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in anticipation of his coming

Loving Father,

Help us remember the birth of Jesus.

That we may share in the song of the angels,
the gladness of the shepherds, and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate
and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift
and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,
and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May Christmas morning
make us happy to be thy children.

And Christmas evening bring us to our beds
with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven.

For Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

... from the Hallow website

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when life seems dark and hope is far away

Longest Night Meditation

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Only it's not.

Not for everyone.

It's the most wonderful time of the year?

No, it's not.

And trying to smile and say Merry Christmas is more than difficult.

It's pretty near impossible.

C.S. Lewis once wrote:

"No one ever told me that grief felt so much like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning..."

It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Only it's not.

Not after he has died.

Please visit The Prayer List and pray with us.

An Autumn Prayer

O God of Creation,

You have blessed us with the changing of the seasons.

As we welcome the autumn months,

May the earlier setting of the sun
remind us to take time to rest.

May the brilliant colors of the leaves
remind us of the wonder of your creation.

May the steam of our breath in the cool air
remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life.

May the harvest from the fields remind us
of the abundance we have been given
and bounty we are to share with others.

May the dying of summer's spirit remind us
of your great promise that death is temporary and life is eternal.

We praise you for your goodness forever and ever.

Amen.

- Author Unknown

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a back to school prayer

Dear Lord,

We pray for our school age kids and grandkids.

Grant them peace and a peaceful learning environment.

Protect them from temptations that lead to bad behavior.

Help them to have friends that build them up and not tear them down.

Open their minds to wisdom that they might discern truth.

Encourage them with the caring of teachers and friends.

Bring to their mind daily how much they are loved by you.

And in all this bless them to enjoy learning new things.

Amen

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