One stone at a time, O LORD, we lay down our burdens.
One ladder rung at a time, we reach toward your grace.

You, O God, are wholly magnificent. We praise your beauty with every sighting of a hummingbird, with every sigh over the sunset, with every smile at a flower, with every warm embrace of a person — of all people — made in your image.

One stone at a time, O LORD, we lay down our judgments.
One ladder rung at a time, we reach toward your peace.

You, O God, are holy and mighty. Before your strength the mountains kneel and the oceans prostrate. In the shadow of your wrath the nations lay down their arms and the powerful cry out for mercy. By your power, creation gives birth to life.

One stone at a time, O LORD, we lay down our vanity.
One ladder rung at a time, we reach toward your splendor.

You, O God, are watchful and broken-hearted. We join our tears to yours over bloodshed and bombing. We sit vigil with you at borders and at bedsides where life is fragile. We hold hands with you to support sisters & brothers in need of food, shelter, safety, hope.

One stone at a time, O LORD, we lay down our self-absorption.
One ladder rung at a time, we reach toward your broken body.

You, O God, are brilliant and faithful. We trust that you are about the business of planting new seeds and refreshing arid hearts. We believe (carefully) that you are burning away all that separates us from you. We know that you are plowing the fodder for a rich harvest.

One stone at a time, O LORD, we lay down our fears.
One ladder rung at a time, we reach toward your vision.

You, O God, are good and abundant. Already you have dealt kindly with us, connecting us one to another and calling us yours. Grant us the blessing of courage to draw near to you by drawing near to each other. Grow within us the peace and humility to love fully.

One stone at a time, O LORD, we lay down our burdens.
One ladder rung at at time, we reach toward your grace with a grateful “Amen.”

This prayer is based loosely on today’s scripture readings in the Revised Standard Lectionary (Gen 28:10-19a, Ps 139, Is 44:6-8, Ps 86:11-17, Rom 8:12-25, Matt 13:24-43) and the Narrative Lectionary (Ruth 1-4)

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