As we settle into prayer,
O Indwelling God,
settle into us;
make of us one people,
one holy home, one sacred altar
at which
the prayers of the world are laid
and by which
the Spirit of the LORD pours out its healing.
Draw us near to you
by drawing us near to one another.
As one people, as one altar,
we open our hearts
to sorrow
to frustration
yes, to rage
:: for the loss of lives due to violence
including Sandra, Kindra, Jonathan…
:: for the loss of saints and faithful servants
who have stood by us, taught us, nurtured us…
:: for the loss of dear friends and family
whose deaths leave us without words to carry on…
:: for the loss of lives due to injustices
hunger, poverty, hatred, abuse, imprisonment…
We open our lives to the work
of mourning & comforting
of voice-raising & justice-seeking.
As one people, as one altar,
we open our hearts
to wonder
to elation
indeed, to gratitude
:: for moments of love that give us hope
from simple words to extravagant gestures…
:: for the vast & diverse beauty of life
woodlands and oceans, strangers and friends…
:: for the remarkable paths
we have each walked, endured, enjoyed…
:: for your constant presence, O God,
in the every day and in the surprising…
We open our lives to the work
of rejoicing & encouraging
of life-giving & God-celebrating.
O Indwelling God, draw us near to you
by drawing us near to one another.
Settle into us;
make of us one people,
one holy home, one sacred altar
at which
you are glorified
and by which
our lives are changed.
Amen.