Opening Prayer: Isaiah 40

Here’s an opening prayer based on images from Isaiah 40:28-31.  It was written by Peter L. Haynes.

Opening Prayer
(based on Isaiah 40: 28-31)

O God, we are gathered here under the shelter of your wings,
nurtured by your motherly love,
and encouraged, then, to fly by faith on the wind of your spirit.
You have spoken to us, saying
"They that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength,
they shall mount up with wings as eagles."
Teach us how to wait, then, that we may learn how to fly.
May this nest we call "family" be built with sturdy materials.
Don't let us forget, though,
that this nest was not created as a fortress behind which to hide,
but as a perch from which to take off.
And strengthen us with the assurance that we do not fly alone.
This we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

— written by Peter L. Haynes, and posted on the Long Green Valley Church website.  

For more worship resources for February 5, 2012 (the fifth Sunday after Epiphany), click on Epiphany 5B in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.

For more prayer resources on this blog, see the Scriptural Index of Prayers at the upper right side of the page.