Category: Prayer

Bedtime prayers

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When I was young, my mother would sit on my bed and listen to my bedtime prayers.  Before I got to the long list of “God bless” everyone in my family, all our pets, and my best friend, and prior to ending with the fervent wish “and make Susie a good girl,” I would pray the “Now I lay me down to sleep” prayer.

But my mother taught it to me with an important change from the traditional chilling images of dying before I woke up:

Now I lay me down to sleep

Pray the Lord my soul to keep.

Be with me throughout the night

And wake me with the  morning’s light.  

That image of God lovingly watching over my slumber is embedded in my psyche.  It is  especially meaningful at the end of a long or draining day. My childhood prayer reminds me to “lay down” my worries as I prepare for bed.  Or, as my wise seminary mentor warned me, “Make sure you don’t take your congregation to bed with you.” In other words – there are times when I need to let go.  Times when I turn my very real concerns over to God’s care so that my nighttime rest is not haunted by the actions of callous and uncaring people.

I am leaning into a practice that I started a couple of years ago. Instead of my mother witnessing my prayers (which, at age 95, she actually would still be glad to do…), I go to our front door, open it up, and lean out into the fresh air.

I look up.

  Some nights I observe stars and gauge the moon’s phase. I recognize a few constellations and point out a planet or two. Some nights it’s overcast with no light in the sky. Other times it’s raining or snowing.  

But every single night, I say goodnight to God and entrust the world into God’s care. In those moments I am intentionally trusting that God is actively present. Looking out at the universe reminds me that powers much greater than my own are at work. It helps me believe that ultimately, God’s goodness will prevail even when I can’t see the way forward.

My new favorite nighttime prayer comes from the New Zealand Prayer Book.   It offers me comfort and peace as I prepare to rest so that I can be strengthened to begin again tomorrow. 

Lord,

It is night.

The night is for stillness.

         Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.

         What has been done has been done;

         What has not been done has not been done;

         Let it be.

The night is dark.

         Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives

         Rest in you.

The night is quiet.

         Let the quietness of your peace enfold us.

         All dear to us,

         And all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.

         Let us look expectantly to a new day,

                     New joys,

         New possibilities.

In your name we pray.

Amen. New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 184

Do you have a favorite nighttime ritual?

Let us pray

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I think we can all agree – we live in overwhelming times. The relentless pursuit of the Corona virus in all of its variations, the ongoing war in Ukraine, climate change and reports of evaporating lakes, wildfires, and warming oceans. There is seemingly endless division and conflict amongst our political leaders that trickles down to infect local and state governments. Prices are up. Shortages are growing. Rents are climbing. Affordable housing is difficult to find. Racist violence is rampant.

            Add to that your own personal worries about loved ones, employment, finances, and health. It is no wonder that rates of anxiety and depression are growing in our country.

            What to do?

            How should we respond?

            What’s the best course of action?

            Let us pray.

            I can almost see you rolling your eyes.  Pray?!?  What good will that do? Why should I waste my time muttering words to God?  If God is all-knowing, God doesn’t need my reminders about today’s dismal state of affairs.  If God is all-caring, God shouldn’t require me to convince him to tend to the sick and the dying. If God is all-powerful, God won’t be helped by my encouragement and entreaties.  

            You’re right.

            So much of prayer is not for God’s benefit, but for our own. It is not to convince a grudging, reluctant God to act. Prayer brings our parched spirits to the ever flowing streams of God’s love and presence. We can find renewal there. We can find hope.

            Here’s the invitation – let us pray. We have started gathering on Fridays at noon for prayer. You are invited to join us – in person in our sanctuary or in spirit wherever you happen to be. You can also send me prayer requests.

 This brief service reminds us of what is true – we are not alone as we face the challenges of this world.

            Prayer is an invitation to listen to God’s life-giving words. If we fill our ears solely with the latest news reports and urgent (and often depressing) text/social media messages, our minds and hearts will be filled with despair. Taking time to pray offers moments of quiet and peace in the presence of love. It is not about denying or running away from the truly awful state of affairs. Instead, prayer feeds our spirits so we can be strengthened to act.  

When I take time to listen, I hear assurances like these:

  • God cares deeply for the stranger, supports the widowed and orphaned, and ruins the schemes of the wicked.  (Psalm 146)
  • You know me, God. You know me. You see me working, you see me resting.

You know what I think about; you know what I do.  

You are everywhere – near and far, and all around me. (Psalm 139)

  • Turn from evil, love what is good, and you will be at peace;

God is a lover of justice who will never abandon the faithful.   (Psalm 37)

We are called to respond to the needs of the world. Let us begin with prayer.

Discovering a “thin place”

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         As you read this, I am preparing to travel to the island of Iona in Scotland, which is famously known as a “thin place.”  Thin places have nothing to do with weight loss. A thin place is defined in Celtic Christianity as one of “those rare locales where the distance between heaven and Earth collapses.” In other words, a place where the presence of God is readily experienced or a place where one is more aware that very little separates us from the holy.

       It takes some effort to travel to Iona.  I will fly from Boston to Dublin Ireland and then onto Edinburgh Scotland.  Then I will take a train to the west coast of Scotland and board a ferry for the island of Mull.  From there I will travel by bus or taxi to the other side of the island in order to catch another ferry which will take me to Iona.  When I get off the ferry, it will be time to walk since there are very few cars and no public transit on this tiny island.  My destination will be the Iona Abbey which has a simple guesthouse that welcomes pilgrims from across the globe for weeklong stays. We will experience the hospitality of the Abbey and form a community together as we worship, prepare meals, and share experiences together.

      This journey is the final piece of my sabbatical. The pandemic prevented international travel last year and I am looking forward to the opportunity to have this long-anticipated trip now.  I will be traveling with my lifelong friend Patti.  We have known each other since pre-school and have experienced many retreats and adventures together; this will be our first international trip together and we’re both filled with gratitude at the prospect of sharing this experience.

        As much as I am looking forward to the trip, I realize that one does not need to travel thousands of miles using multiple forms of transportation to experience God’s presence.  Instead of encouraging you to travel to Iona (although, if you get the opportunity – please take it), here is my question for all of us – where is a thin place for you?  Where do you encounter the holy?

       If you can think of a special place or two, when do you go there? Because it does take some intention. We are blessed to live in a beautiful area with rolling green fields, flowering trees, lush woodlands, ponds, and an array of stunning scenery.  We also tend to rush through it or to dwell in it oblivious to the miraculous creation all around us.

        In order to experience the mystery of a thin place, we have to choose to slow down, unplug, and make time to notice that God is in this place.

       When I return I will have stories to tell about my encounters in the thin place of Iona.  I hope you will have experiences to share with me, as well.  Because what we know about our loving God is that God wants to be found by us.  God is not hiding. Rather, we must open our hearts, minds, and spirits to discern the still, small voice of our Creator.

What does prayer do?

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Who do you pray for? Who do you think about and ask God to bless, lead, guide, strengthen, or nurture?

Someone called me this week to ask me if it was all right to pray for me. She said she felt led to lift me up in her prayers.

            My reaction was one of gratitude.  “Thank you,” I said, “I need all the prayers I can get.” And then, more seriously, I told her that I appreciated her concern and that I am thankful for her prayers. In this time of isolation, caution, and distancing, I love to think of someone remembering me in their prayers. It means so much to know that love, concern, and care are being offered on my behalf.

            What happens when someone prays for you? I don’t know. I don’t have concrete results or any tangible proof to offer. I’m not sure I write better sermons or lead more interesting Bible stories because of someone’s prayers. But their prayers hearten me. They lift my spirits. And in this discouraging, overwhelming time we are living in, that is a powerful gift. Those prayers make me feel like I am receiving encouragement, compassion, and caring. We live in a world where those qualities are often lacking. It is a humbling and wonderful thing to know that someone is thinking about me and asking God to surround me with blessings and strength.  

            My best advice would be – do not underestimate the power of prayer. We don’t have to understand it to participate in it. We don’t have to scientifically prove its effectiveness to trust it. During this pandemic, which has left so many of us feeling isolated, tired, and helpless, here is something we can do.

We can pray.

            Pray for people you know. Go ahead and pour out your love and concern, your worry and your gratitude, your hopes and your fears. Dare to pray your wildest dreams and deepest desires for them. Trust that God loves those people you keep in your heart even more than you do.

Pray for people you don’t know but you hear about in the news. People whose lives have been torn apart by the virus or by wildfires. Pray for the helpers – doctors, nurses, firefighters, paramedics. Pray for our schools and for the vast web of people connected to them – teachers, administrators, students, parents, and grandparents.  Pray for those who are belittled or put down every day because of their skin color, gender identity, or abilities. If you’re not sure what to pray, just ask God to be with them.  Prayer isn’t about giving God directions – we can trust that God knows what God’s beloved people need.

I believe prayer changes things. I believe it helps the “pray-er” and the “pray-ee.” Even if I can’t explain it, it’s one of those things I have experienced and now take on faith.               And let us promise to pray for one another.  Amen.

Fill-in-the-blank Prayers

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It is not always easy to pray, even when we really want to. Even when we need it most. When we are stressed or anxious, prayer can be even more challenging.

So here are some “fill in the blank” prayers for you to try. Think of them as “prayer prompts” – you can fill in the blanks and personalize them with whatever is on your heart and mind today. Use the ones that speak to you, skip the ones that don’t.

            Your prayers may change day by day or even moment by moment, so fill in the blanks as often as necessary.

Loving and holy God, thank you for your promise to be with us always. Today I am finding that very __________ to believe. Thank you for loving me just as I am.

Compassionate God, you meet us wherever we are.

Holy God, today I am feeling ______________.

I’m alone in my house and I feel ___________.

I’m usually alone in my house but now it’s full of people not in school or at work. That makes me feel _____________.

Creator God, thank you for the glory of this earth and the mystery and miracle of spring. Today when I look outside, I see you in ________________.

Generous God, thank you for the gift of music, art, and poetry that comfort my spirit. Thank you for artists of all kinds. Today I rejoice in this song/image/expression: ____________.

Thank you for the helpers in the world. Please bless first responders, doctors, nurses, and health care workers who are facing extra challenges. Give them strength and resilience. Today I especially pray for _______.

God of all people, across the globe, everyone is impacted by this virus, no matter their culture, language, sexual orientation, economic status, or beliefs. Surround all of us with your healing presence. Please bless _______.

Loving God, you care about our worries big and small. So many people are affected by workplace closing and loss of income. I lift up prayers for _____.

Even before the pandemic began, many already had concerns and worries. Help us not forget those who are mourning, sick, or struggling. God of compassion, I ask you especially to be with _________.

You told us to love our neighbors and to love ourselves. Knowing that you love me today and always, I lift up a prayer for myself. You who created me in your holy image and you call me your beloved child, I ask you to be with me. Please help me ________________.

And God who knows my heart, I add these prayers: _________.

To you be the honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

Pray boldly!

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“John again was standing with two of his disciples, and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, “Look, here is the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.  When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, ‘What are you looking for?”’ (John 1: 35-38)

You might expect Jesus’ first recorded words to be preaching or teaching or expounding on some ancient text.  But in the Gospel of John, none of that happens. The first thing Jesus says is a question. He turns to his would-be disciples and asks them, “What are you looking for?”

            Jesus – the Messiah, the Son of God, the Light of the world – wants to know what is on their minds. What are you looking for? It’s another way of saying, “What are you seeking? What do you lack?”

            Jesus looks his potential followers in the eye and wonders, “What do you really, really want?”

            It is an invitation to powerful prayer. And yet how often do we hesitate to say out loud what is on our hearts and minds? We are so good at praying polite prayers that list the needs of others, never ourselves. We pray tentative prayers couched with caveats like “If it’s possible…”. Yet Jesus demands, “What are you looking for?” What do you want?

            When I hear this invitation to honest, from-the-heart prayer, I think about the good work my congregation with our local homeless shelter. Like so many congregations, we provide food, clothing, toiletries, gift cards, vouchers, and holiday gifts to the residents. That is a good thing to do. But if I were to pray an honest prayer – if I were to state what I really want – I would say, “I want affordable housing. I want job coaching. I want abundant access to mental health care.”

            But I often hesitate to offer that prayer because those things cost money and I don’t know how to make any of them happen. The complicated situation causes my heart-felt desire to die on my lips. But Jesus didn’t ask his disciples to come up with solutions. He wasn’t asking them if they deserved anything or if their requests were logical or even possible. Jesus simply asks, “What are you looking for?” What do you want?

            If we can’t name what we want, we can’t visualize it. If we can’t name what we are lacking, we might miss opportunities God is offering to us.

            “Pray boldly,” Martin Luther declared in 1517.

            “I have a dream,” Martin Luther King celebrated in 1963.

            Those are both invitations to trust God with our needs, our lacks, and our dreams. Saying it out loud is not a guarantee that it will come true. But offering our deepest needs to God is a step of faith. It is offering our hands, our hearts, and ourselves to the work of God all around us. It is trusting that God will hear our prayer and do marvelous things.

            And that is what I am looking for.

Praying for strangers

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Who do you pray for? Would you pray for someone you don’t know?

 On October 6th we celebrated World Communion Sunday. It is interesting that this celebration was originated in 1936, which was another time in history when countries and individuals needed to be reminded that we are all beloved children of God. World Communion Sunday celebrates our inter-connectedness as we remember that our actions (or lack of action) has an impact on others.

World Communion Sunday is, by definition, a Christian commemoration but our worship lifts up countries, religions, and people across the globe to ask for God’s blessing.

            One of our practices on this special Sunday is to use a variety of breads during communion. Instead of the usual white bread that symbolizes the Body of Christ, the congregation was invited to choose from breads representing different parts of the world. South American tortillas, Asian rice cakes, and Israeli matzos graced our communion table. Breads of different colors and textures like pumpernickel, rye, corn, and Italian represented the diversity of God’s people and the richness of our unique cultures and heritage.

            As people entered our sanctuary, everyone received a slip of paper with the name of a country. In the days ahead, we are all encouraged to learn a little bit about that country and offer prayers on behalf of the people who live there.

            “My” country is the Maldives. While I recognized the name enough to know that they are islands, I couldn’t have told you much more than that.  I have since learned that the Maldives are a collection of 1,190 islands and atolls (my new vocabulary word: a reef made out of coral) southwest of India in the Indian Ocean.

 After watching a number of travel videos, I was tempted to put a trip to the Maldives on my bucket list but I suspect the expense will prevent any first-hand exploration of this beautiful country. My first impression of this country was “island paradise.” However, when I learned that their highest point of elevation is a mere 8 feet, my second thought was “island on the brink of disaster.” Rising sea levels cannot bode well for this fragile environment.

So I will pray for the people of the Maldives. Why might we pray for people we don’t know? These prayers are not so much to nag an already compassionate God to care about God’s people, but are much more a celebration of our connection to one another. They are also a much-needed reminder that when I am personally powerless to lend a hand (in the Maldives or elsewhere), I can trust that God’s Spirit of love, peace, and comfort is with those in need.

These prayers ward off feelings of despair and helplessness and may well nudge me to take action where I can.

So go ahead and pray. Pray for your loved ones and pray for those you’ll never meet. And trust that the God of yesterday, today, and forever is moving in and through the lives of God’s people.  

Praying for tail lights

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As my busy family comes and goes, I find myself praying for them…

He inches down our icy driveway while it’s still dark, heading off to work. It’s an hour drive, back roads and highways. Will other drivers be distracted? Has someone been drinking? Will they be careful of the precious (to me) cargo contained in that ancient car? As I see the tail lights pull away, I pray for God’s protection and comfort.

She’s off to her new job, dressed to impress, and eager to make a difference. This baby adult, I’m not sure she realizes just how many dangers are out there. Brimming with confidence, certain she can meet the challenges of the day, she drives off; I watch the tail lights disappear into the dark. Peace, I pray, safety and love travel with her.

I pray for headlights, as well. Waiting for the late-night arrival after a long restaurant shift, never knowing exactly when he will get home. I only half-sleep as I wait for the headlights to flash across the ceiling, announcing his arrival. Will he be tired after work? Will he stay awake as he drives? What about the deer that dart across the road? As I wait to see the headlights, I pray that he be filled with alertness and the reassurance that a warm, loving home is waiting.

headlights

I pray for the headlights that drive across the state as a long school semester ends. A long drive across crowded busy highways, filled with people intent on arriving first and fastest.  I consider all the activities that await his arrival – choosing the Christmas tree, baking cookies, making apple sauce. All of that is on “hold” until the headlights appear, making our family complete again. I look out the window – again – waiting. Send my love to him, I pray, and surround him with your guardian angels.

It’s all we can do, sometimes. Just pray. Wait and watch.

And pray some more.

While they are out of my sight, I entrust them to God’s loving care.