God of Wonders,who made both the dark and light,as we go out to play tonightwith the eerie, spooky, and frightening,we give thanks for the lightsthat shine in the darkness. For jack-o-lantern candleswinking in the night. For front doors held open to neighbors,pouring light onto the sidewalk. For light-up sneakerspeeping out from under costumes. For theContinue reading “A Halloween Prayer”
Category Archives: Prayers for Everyday Living
A Prayer for Parents and Caregivers During The First Day of School
God, in the quiet of this first day back to school, we lift our prayers.
A Christmas Light Prayer, in April
Back in DecemberI put Christmas lights on my back porch. Solar-powered lights,with a panel to catch the sun. It took a lot of work,to coil the copper strands,make the pattern even. That night, I waited.But all was dark. What a shame, I thought,they’re broken.Oh well. They were cheap.I’ll throw them away. But I never took themContinue reading “A Christmas Light Prayer, in April”
Grace Again
For wisdom from someone I discounted, and for cool breezes in August, and for the right song on the radio, and for the very existence of dancing, thank you, God. For laughter that dares to bubble through tears, and unclenched fists making room for someone’s hand in mine thank you, God. For kind words whenContinue reading “Grace Again”
An Unintended Prayer
I did not mean to pray I was only thinking about the softness of the rain and the warmth of this blanket and the mercy of the morning. I did not mean to pray. I was only thinking about my friend’s cousin and someone in the hospital and a few headlines from yesterday’s news. IContinue reading “An Unintended Prayer”
In Praise of the Thread
Holy God, when I am holding on by a thread, buffeted by gale winds, anxious and overwhelmed, teach me to praise the thread. Show me the thread is your gift, a connection of love and hope, delicate as your tender mercy, strong as your unquenchable grace. In the thread, may I know I am stillContinue reading “In Praise of the Thread”
A Prayer for the Empty Chairs (Thanksgiving in a Pandemic)
Eternal God, we come to you in prayer today over the empty chairs. We pray with longing for the friends and family who cannot come to the table today and while we give thanks for Zoom and text and phones it’s not the same as passing the rolls and hugging them tight. We pray withContinue reading “A Prayer for the Empty Chairs (Thanksgiving in a Pandemic)”
An Ode to the Pandemic Pastor
You never expected this. You never expected to be an epidemiologist, televangelist, crisis counselor, and innovation architect all rolled into one. Yet you’ve piled all those hats on your head, washed your hands and masked your face, and sallied forth into God’s hurting world. Well done, good and faithful servant. You never expected this. YouContinue reading “An Ode to the Pandemic Pastor”
Back to School Prayer (in a Pandemic)
Jesus, our friend, we are going back to school but not like we remember. We are full of feelings—mad, worried, scared, confused. We don’t know what will happen. We don’t know how to do this. So remind us that you are with us every day, with us whether we are in a school buildingContinue reading “Back to School Prayer (in a Pandemic)”
A Prayer for Impossible Choices
God, we scream to you “we can’t do this!” All the pieces won’t fit, no matter how many times we run through the questions. Nothing is good. Nothing is what we want. We’re stuck between impossible choices, and we wonder what happened to the God through whom all things were supposed to be possible. “I’mContinue reading “A Prayer for Impossible Choices”
A Blessing for the Masks
Great Physician, Giver of All Life, may this mask I wear show your true face: a face of mercy and compassion a face that loves others above myself a face that protects the vulnerable and weak. As I wear this mask, save and protect me from danger that may come my way. As I wearContinue reading “A Blessing for the Masks”
Breathe: A Prayer for Church Leaders on the Sunday after Easter
When Jesus returned to that dark and locked room where the disciples huddled in fear he demanded no apologies, no account of ministry tasks performed in his absence, no statistics of new disciples engaged, but simply spoke peace, and breathed his Spirit. As we sit in our locked rooms, or stream from empty sanctuaries, giveContinue reading “Breathe: A Prayer for Church Leaders on the Sunday after Easter”
House Blessing for a Pandemic
Ever-present God, our rock and foundation, bless our homes.
An Exam Week Prayer
Jesus, Rabbi, Teacher, we pray for disciples, learners of all kinds. We pray for those who study, write, create, experiment, research. We pray for those who face an uncertain future. Remind our students that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, worthy in your eyes beyond any test score, diploma, achievement, or award. Give them strength and perseverance, discernment, guidance, and rest. Help them to do the most beautiful that is in them, and to give the rest into your waiting hands. We pray in your most holy name. Amen.
A September 11th Prayer
Nail-Scarred Christ, we lift into your heart this day the scars we have bourne for long years now. We lift to you the grieving, still. We lift to you the wounded, still. We lift to you the frightened, still. We lift to you those who work for healing, still. We lift to you those whoContinue reading “A September 11th Prayer”
A Prayer for the Solar Eclipse
Creator God, we thank you for stars and sun and moon, the heavens you wove together and set dancing. We thank you for scientists and teachers, those who stand in the gap between your mystery and our minds who help us know more fully what you have done. We thank you for the gift of wonder, for marvels to shake us from complaceny, for curiosity that brings us together. Remind us that the darkness is as light to you, and that you have created us as your miracles too. Help us to look on those around us with the same joy and wonder. All glory, praise, and honor to you, now and forever. Amen.
Deep Well Worship 