Before and behind,
without and within
surround us, O God.
Stretch out your hand
to lift us up
to call us out.
Be our sanctuary
and our wilderness,
our foundation
and our trembling.
Before and behind,
without and within
overtake us, O God,
with a flood of grace.
In our worry
in our chaos,
be a mercy
and a judgment,
a proclamation
and a secret.
Before and behind,
without and within
lead us, O LORD.
Mark our ways
for love
for wonder.
Bless us to something new.
Bless us to relationships.
Free us to change.
Free us to life.
Amen.
A pastoral prayer reflecting upon the Narrative and Revised Common Lectionary readings for 9/14/2014.