For this meal as it is broken,
and for the words here spoken;
For kindnesses received
and our renewals conceived;
O Lord, we give praise
and with open eyes, we gaze
on your body in this bread,
incarnate with every head,
within the roots & through the vine,
amidst all created life — divine!
Now bless us, O God, we pray,
and in our restless lives hold sway.
Let our hearts thus recreated
embody love unabated!
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and this bounty you have provided
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and the employers who give more than a paycheck
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and the teachers who bring a love of learning
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and the cafeteria workers who provide a lunch
Bless us, Oh Lord,
and the day care who provides more than a watchful eye
Bless us, Oh Lord,
as we feast upon hamburgers and french fries instead of bread and wine
Bless us today, Oh Lord,
and each day you give to us.
Amen.
Around this table
all are welcome.
Hands are open,
gifts received.
All are welcome:
broken, wounded.
Gifts received,
thanksgiving shared.
Broken, wounded
hands are open,
thanksgiving shared
around this table.
I “geek out” with the delight of wordplay when you structure a prayer this way, Hilary! Love it!
Thanks, Rachel! Came across this poem structure of ‘pantoum’ and am quite smitten with it. Especially like the cyclical feature of ending where it began.