Opening Prayer: Living Water

Here’s an opening prayer, inspired by the suggested RCL scripture readings for the third Sunday in Lent, Year A. It was written by Rev. Karla and posted on RevGalBlogPals (see link below).

Opening Prayer

(inspired by Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, John 4:5-42)

Holy Watering One,

Fount of Every Blessing,

We come to you this morning,

Opening our parched places to receive

the springs of living water

You offer to us.

Most of the time,

most of us don’t even know we are thirsty.

We don’t know the deep dehydration

that scours our bones and parches our hearts.

Sometimes, when our thirst pangs emerge,

We draw from the enticing wells

of the world’s offering of power and profit,

which leave us even more empty.

Still us, God,

so we might listen to You speaking to us,

knowing us, seeing us, loving us.

Fill us with your Living Water

that will transform our spirits and souls

into springs that burst forth

with life and love

for your people, for ourselves, and for our world.

~ written by Rev. Karla and posted on RevGalBlogPals. https://revgalblogpals.org/2017/03/18/sunday-prayer-213/

Prayer: Psalm 104

Here’s a prayer inspired by verses from Psalm 104. It was written by Steve Garnaas-Holmes and posted on his Unfolding Light website.

Prayer

(inspired by Psalm 104:30)

All creatures look to You….

When you send Your Spirit, they are created,

and you renew the face of the earth. Psalm 104:27, 30

Holy One,          

breath of the big bang,          

idea of creation,

you who make spring come forth,          

who make life out of nothing,

breathe yourself into me.

          

Create me.

you are the flame,          

I am your light. You are the nerve,          

I am your muscle. You are the Word,          

I am the story. You are the song,          

I am the singing.

I am one with you         

 and one with all Creation. One Spirit,          

one flesh, many forms. In your Spirit          

I am we.

Holy One, live in me;          

I am your body. I remember,          

and I live.

~ written by Steve Garnaas-Holmes and posted on Unfolding Light. https://www.unfoldinglight.net/

Reflection at the End of a Day

In the silence 

we hold before God the day now passing into history 

and we give thanks

silence

Lord, for this day

We give you thanks

Lord, for the moments when we encountered grace and beauty

We give you thanks

Lord, for conversations that have made an impact on our lives

We give you thanks

Lord, for the times when we have seen you at work

We give you thanks

In the silence we hold before God the hurts of the past day

silence

Lord, we remember the times

when we have not shown love

through our thoughts, words and actions

We seek forgiveness

Lord, we remember the times

when we have been hurt by the words and actions of others

Help us to forgive

Lord, we remember the times

when we have been distracted from seeking after you

Lord, make yourself known to us,

help us to see you

in the midst of the noise and clamour of this world

In the silence we hold before God

tomorrow and the opportunities it bears

silence

Lord, we pray that your Holy Spirit would guide us

into the ways of righteousness

That you would give us strength for the journey

Lord, you know the shape of our lives at this time,

you know the delights we enjoy and the pressures we endure.

Guide us and give us wisdom to know your will,

strengthen our resolve to discern your call.

Lord, make yourself known to us in the daily pattern of our lives,

Help us to see the fruit borne out of small actions

Lord, help us to live faithfully amidst uncertainty,

Fortify us to be followers in your Way

Lord, help us to not live as autonomous units,

But as fellow travellers on a journey.

Lord, build up the community of which we are part,

And shape it around the cross of your Son Jesus Christ.

Lord, as we sleep tonight, may we rest in the knowledge of your relentless love

When we wake tomorrow,

may we be prepared for all that lies ahead 

~ written by Tim Watson, in “Sunday Night Prayer,” posted on Lighting Beacons. http://lighting-beacons-liturgy.com/