God, our master storyteller whose epic saga stretches to infinity, help us to do the work of healing in our own lives and in the world so that the next generations can be a little freer– for we do not see the ripples our lives make, but you know their significance and are always leading us toward the arc of love– if we pay attention.
2 Peter 3: 8-9 Don’t overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.
Ephesians 4: 14-16 No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are easy prey for predators. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
God of silence, teach me to quiet myself and listen deeply to you– for it is in the silence and stillness that you hold me.
1 Kings 19: 11-13 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
God, our parent, you know what it is to hold your children close. Thank you for the early morning snuggles with my sweet child– for the way she wiggled her feet under my legs to warm her toes and whispered “Mama, on my next birthday I’m going to be this many” as she raised five fingers and held them close to my face. Thank you for these moments of joy and connection– for we need them when the going gets tough.
Psalm 73:23-24 I’m still in your presence, but you’ve taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
Our creator, one who crafted our intricate bodies, help us to live at home in them. Help us to release fear, anxiety, envy, shame, the need to control with every breath out and to welcome love, joy, gratitude, wonder, openness with every breath in because what we hold in our bodies matters– for they are your living sanctuaries.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body.
All wise teacher, thank you for the guides you place in our lives. We ask that you would give us ears to hear, eyes to see, hearts to feel, minds to be open, and bodies to know the lessons you gift us– if we pay attention– for you are ever teaching.
Matthew 13: 16-17 But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance.
Proverbs 20: 12 Ears that hear and eyes that see– we get our basic equipment from God!
Ever present creator, help me receive the gift of presence, of pausing to look for your holiness in each moment– in the patter of my toddler’s wobbly footsteps, her waving hello to the dog, the trees, the geese, the creek, the chicken eggs, the neighbors, the grass, the mud, the sky, the world– your presence is everywhere.
Galatians 5:22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
Jesus, you know all, and yet you call us into relationship with questions and curiosity. You know but don’t assume. May we leave our assumptions and our agendas by the wayside. May we bring questions and curiosity and deep listening into relationships with others, because that is how we begin to see and know with love.
John 5: 1-9 Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?” The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.” Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.
Mark 5:30-35 At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” His disciples said, “What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you’re asking, ‘Who touched me?’ Dozens have touched you!” But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.”
John 4:3-14 So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee. To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon. A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus aid, “Would you give me a drink of water?” (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.) The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, “How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (Jews in those days wouldn’t be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) Jesus answered, “If you knew the generosity of God and who I am, you would be asking me for a drink, and I would give you fresh, living water.” The woman said, “Sir, you don’t even have a bucket to draw with, and this well is deep. So how are you going to get this ‘living water’? Are you a better man than our ancestor Jacob, who dug this well and drank from it, he and his sons and livestock, and passed it down to us?” Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”
God of breath, I don’t know what to pray, so I breathe in and out this air that connects me with all who breathe. Let the rhythm of breath and heartbeat and open palms– my just being here– be my prayer.
Psalm 33 6-9: The skies were made by God’s command; he breathed the word and the stars popped out. He scooped Sea into his jug, put Ocean in his keg. Earth-creatures, bow before God; world-dwellers–down on your knees! Here’s why: he spoke and there it was, in place the moment he said so.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Jesus, you called the children to your side and acknowledged their beautiful spirits and curious simple faith, may I remember that my children are children– your children– because sometimes I forget and I have so much to learn from them, if I pay attention.
Luke 18:15-17 People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”
Jesus, teacher of Martha and Mary, help me accept your invitation to just be with you, to sit in your presence, listening– for if I have the discipline to make the essential choice, it will never be taken from me.
Luke 10:38-42 As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”
The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thin is essential, and Mary has chosen it–it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”
Our Master Gardener, 