Prayers & Creeds

New Year’s Prayer :: Blessing from Joyce Rupp

davebayne — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 06:35:54 +0000

I hope for you in this new year…

That the single, most significant dimension of life is your relationship with the Source of Goodness who never ceases to sing love songs to your soul

That you find meaning, purpose, and vitality in what you do daily

That you treasure your loved ones and let them know how dear they are to you

That you make choices and decisions that reflect your truest self

That you look in the mirror at least once a day and smile in happy amazement

That you remember relationships are what count above all else – more than work or money, or all the material things we spend so much time tending

That you live in an uncluttered manner, enjoying the freedom to be content

That you keep your sense of humor when things don’t go the way you want

That you find adventure in each new day and marvel at the wonders of creation
which constantly present themselves to you

That you never give up on yourself when others turn away or do not understand

That you are attentive to the health of your body, mind and spirit

That you take risks and accept the growth-full challenges that come to you

That you draw on your inner strength and resiliency when you are in need

That you carry peace within yourself, allowing it to slip into the hearts of others
so our planet becomes a place where violence, division, and war are no more

By Joyce Rupp, January 2004
http://www.joycerupp.com/newyears2004.html

Christmas Eve Prayer

davebayne — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:35:20 +0000

Christmas Eve Prayer by Kathleen Norris

O God, who spoke all creation into being:
When you created human flesh, we betrayed you by our disobedience.
When you led us out of slavery in Egypt, we doubted and defied you.
Yet you chose to come among us through your Son, Jesus Christ,
who suffered death on our behalf, putting an end to the power of sin and death.
For this great gift of your steadfast hope, we give you thanks.
Help us, O Lord, to keep vigil this night.
Help us to watch for the signs of your coming into our midst, not in the splendid palaces of power, but in hearts humbled by need.
Help us to believe that the darkness of cruelty and sin will never overcome the light, and the mercy, of Christ.
Help us to endure, knowing that the evil and injustice of this world cannot
prevail against your Word.
We ask this in the name of your Word made flesh, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
~Kathleen Norris

http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/2007/12/Christmas-Eve-Vigil.aspx?p=2#57RMVwfsJk1bpjuW.99

O Antiphons Prayer :: Ruler of the House of Israel

davebayne — Fri, 18 Dec 2015 16:14:31 +0000

Bring your rule over the house of my heart
As you did long ago with the tribe of Israel.
I will clear my inner room of its egoism
Until I have sufficient space to welcome you.
I will open the window and freshen the air
So I can carry the fragrance of your goodness.
I will light the fireplace and kindle my Spirit
Until it flames high with enthusiasm for you.
I will stand by the door and wait expectantly
For you to come and fill my house with love.

~Joyce Rupp (Fragments of Your Ancient Name, December 18 Meditation)

O Antiphon Prayer :: Wisdom from the Most High

davebayne — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 17:25:25 +0000

O Wisdom from the Most High,
Bring to us now your perceptive guidance.
Clear out our noise so we hear your voice.
Help us calm our frenetic hearts and minds.
Persuade us to open ourselves to you.
Enter our resistances and determinations.
Influence what lies unresolved on our path.
Counsel us when we forget you are near.
Steer us again and again toward the path
That leads us to integrity and truth.

~Joyce Rupp (Fragments of Your Ancient Name, December 17 Meditation)

Prayer for Lent

davebayne — Sat, 21 Feb 2015 14:45:02 +0000

O God, who makes all things new,
new stars, new dust, new life;
take my heart,
every hardened edge and measured beat,
and create something new in me.
I need your newness, God,
the rough parts of me made smooth;
the stagnant, stirred;
the stuck, freed;
the unkind, forgiven.
And then, by the power of your Spirit,
I need to be turned toward Love again. Amen.

From The Awkward Season: Prayers for Lent by Pamela C. Hawkins
(Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 2009), 30.

A Christmas Day Prayer Litany :: When the Time Had Come

davebayne — Wed, 24 Dec 2014 13:23:23 +0000

A Unison Christmas Confession

We were heavy with sorrow, but joy interrupted.
We were deep in the night, but a star appeared.
We were silent with sadness, but the heavens rang.
And the splendor shone around them
When the time had fully come.

We were hardened by conflict, but love intervened.
We were frightened by shadows, but light took them away.
We were haunted by fears, but a child brought us hope.
And she laid him in a manger
When the time had fully come.

We were dismal and defeated, but faith set us on fire.
We were weary and complaining, but our hearts discovered praise.
We were doubtful and confused, but a door to life was opened.
And the guiding star went before them
When the time had fully come.

We were arrogant and angry, but his innocence disarmed us.
We were cruel, crude, and clumsy, but his grace made all things new.
We were selfish, narrow, greedy, but his joy we had to share.
And they offered him their treasured gifts
When the time had fully come.

We were sheep who had lost their way, but the shepherd knew our names.
We were strangers without a country, but our kingdom came to us.
We were children far from home, but God sent his Son to guide.
And the Word was flesh among us
When the time had fully come.

~ By Kenneth I. Morse, from “In Straw and Story,” p.80, Brethren Press, 1977.
Posted on: http://re-worship.blogspot.com

Prayer for Fourth Sunday of Advent :: Advent Bidding Prayer

davebayne — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 02:41:06 +0000

A prayer of intercession for the end of Advent (or Christmas Eve) when all four Advent candles (hope, peace, joy, love) have been lit.

Holy One, be the light in our darkness tonight.
As we have lit the candle of hope,
we pray for those who feel hopeless . . .

As we have lit the candle of peace,
we pray for all victims of violence . . .

As we have lit the candle of joy,
we pray for those whose hearts are weighed down by sorrow . . .

As we have lit the candle of love,
we pray for those who do not feel loved,
for those who struggle to love others . . .

Holy One, be the light in our darkness tonight,
that we might reflect your light into the dark corners of our world. Amen.

Taken from: http://re-worship.blogspot.com.ar/2012/11/prayers-of-people-advent-4.html
Written by Joanna Harader, and posted on her Spacious Faith blog: http://spaciousfaith.com/

Advent Prayer :: Quietly Prophetic

davebayne — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:20:19 +0000

In a cynical and despairing world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your hope.

In a violent and angry world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your peace.

In a dismissive and disinterested world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your compassion.

In a lonely and inhospitable world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your love.

In a grieving and weeping world, O God,
give us a quietly prophetic voice
to proclaim your joy.

May we be so captivated by your hope, O God,
that we cannot help but to whisper,
to sing, and to enact,
the message of your reign
which is always coming into our world;
And may our quietly prophetic lives,
be channels of your restoring grace
wherever we may go.

Amen.

~ By John van de Laar, and posted on http://sacredise.com/
Posted on: http://re-worship.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/prayer-quietly-prophetic.html

Advent Prayer :: Lord You Wait with Us

davebayne — Sat, 06 Dec 2014 14:10:50 +0000

The following 2014 Advent prayer and meditation was written by Christine Sine and posted on Godspace blog. You can see the video version of the meditation here:
http://godspace-msa.com/2014/12/05/lord-you-wait-for-us-an-advent-meditation-for-2014/

LORD, YOU WAIT FOR US
TO COME AND SEE YOU
YOU WAIT TO SHOW YOUR LOVE
UNTIL WE SEEK YOU
LORD, YOU WAIT FOR US
TO COME AND SEE YOU
TO GATHER ROUND YOUR MANGER
WITH FRIEND AND STRANGER
LET US COME WITH THE HUNGRY
AND FEED THEM
LET US COME WITH THE HURTING
AND COMFORT THEM
LET US COME WITH THE DESPISED
AND WELCOME THEM
LORD, YOU WAIT FOR US
TO COME AND SEE YOU
TO SHINE YOUR LIGHT
TO SHOW YOUR LOVE
TO PROCLAIM YOUR PEACE
LET US GATHER TOGETHER
REMEMBERING WHAT IS FULFILLED
PREPARED FOR WHAT WE MUST STILL DO
LET US COME TO THE ONE
WHO WAITS FOR US TO LOVE.

Advent Meditation by Christine Sine
http://godspace-msa.com/2014/12/05/lord-you-wait-for-us-an-advent-meditation-for-2014/

Advent Blessing :: Blessing the Way

davebayne — Fri, 05 Dec 2014 23:00:25 +0000

With every step
you take
this blessing rises up
to meet you.

It has been waiting
long ages for you.
Look close

and you can see
the layers of it,
how it has been fashioned
by those who walked
this road before you

how it has been created
of nothing but
their determination
and their dreaming,

how it has taken
its form
from an ancient hope
that drew them forward
and made a way for them
when no way could be
seen.

Look closer
and you will see
this blessing
is not finished,

that you are part
of the path
it is preparing

that you are how
this blessing means
to be a voice
within the wilderness

and a welcome
for the way.

By Jan Richardson on http://adventdoor.com
(http://adventdoor.com/2011/12/01/advent-2-blessing-the-way/)