God of all love and mercy,
forgive us.

We have failed one another — we have failed
your image in each person and all creation.

God of all love and mercy,
surprise us.

With mustard seeds, with wild dreams, with grace,
replace our self-assurance with childlike wonder.

God of all love and mercy,
restore us.

Our well-being is in the hands of our neighbors,
both despised & beloved, friends & strangers both.

God of all love and mercy,
delight us.

Make of terror a fool, make of devastation a song,
make of our meager lives a story of your miracle.

God of all love and mercy,
amen.

cross-posted at RevGalBlogPals

For breath,
and wonder,
and community,
simply: thank you.

For peace,
and healing,
and possibility,
simply: please.

For hope,
and delight,
and purpose,
simply: amen.

cross-posted at RevGalBlogPals

Delightful Breath,
merciful Relation,
generous Body,

We celebrate the gift of the new day
and the opportunities of community.
With the tall oaks we praise your strength;
with the winding rivers we sing the songs of heaven.

Behind and before,
beneath and betwixt,
You are here.

We pray over the mourning and the lonely
the struggling and the disenfranchised
in mind and body and spirit, that they — that we —
might not be crushed if afflicted, not despairing if perplexed.

Deepen our breath,
mend our relationships,
sustain our bodies for hope.

We stretch out to you and to one another,
honest about our transgressions and pains,
eager to be healed and to support healing.
We say in faith, “Here I am,” trusting that:

behind and before,
beneath and betwixt,
You are here.

cross-posted at RevGalBlogPals