Prayers

Mid-week Prayer

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Read:  Psalm 148

Reflect:  One of the hymns I learned as a young child was “This Is My Father’s World”.  The hymn’s text was originally written as a poem by the Rev. Maltbie Babcock and published in 1901 shortly after his death.  It was later put to music by Maltbie’s friend Franklin L. Sheppard.  Someone once said that when you sing, you pray twice.  So it is with this hymn.   The words invite us to notice, as the psalmist did long ago, the diversity and beauty of God’s creation.  They remind us that human beings are not the only creatures capable of praising the Creator.  They offer us assurance that even in difficult times God is still in charge – and the source of our joy and hope.

This Is My Father’s World

This is my Father’s world, and to my list’ning ears

 all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world; I rest me in the thought

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world; the birds their carols raise;

            the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world; he shines in all that’s fair. 

            In the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me ev’rywhere.

This is my Father’s world; oh, let me not forget

            that, though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world; why should my heart be sad? 

            The Lord is king, let the heaven ring; God reigns, let earth be glad!

(Text:  Maltbie D. Babcock, tune:  Franklin L. Sheppard, public domain.)

Prayer:  Loving God, to you be given all honor, glory, and praise!  Join the songs of our hearts to the songs of all your creatures this day and always.  Amen.

Mid-Week Prayer

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Read:  Luke 10:25-37

Reflect: In the Parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus invites us to consider how we might answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?”  Better still, we might ask ourselves “Am I a good neighbor, and to whom?”   The scandal and surprise of the parable is that it’s the so-called “enemy” of the injured person who turns out to be the one most obedient to God’s command to show compassion and mercy;  to “love one’s neighbor as one’s self.”

Prayer:  Mighty and merciful God, lover of justice and equity, you call us to support the weak, to help those who suffer, and to honor all people.  By the power of your Holy Spirit, make us advocates for your justice and instruments of your peace, so that all may be reconciled in your beloved community; through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Amen.  (from All Creation Sings, p. 47.  ©2020 Augsburg Fortress, used by permission.)

Reflection for Labor Day

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Read:  Matthew 20:1-16                                                        

Reflect:   In the United States, the first Monday in September is Labor Day.  It dates back to 1894, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.  In those days work weeks were long and working conditions left much to be desired.  This was the era of the “Robber Barons” – those wealthy industrialists and captains of industry deemed by many to be not much better than thieves and scoundrels. Their business practices, including the building of various industrial monopolies, made them extremely wealthy at the expense of their employees and the general public.  In many ways, it seems we are living in our own time of “robber barons”.  The rich keep getting richer, the middle class is shrinking, and the most vulnerable among us feel more and more acutely the disparity between the “minimum wage” and the increasing cost of living. 

Jesus’ parable about the laborers in the vineyard invites us to imagine a society in which employers value their employees, honor their obligations, and are generous beyond all expectation.  It invites us to imagine a society where there is opportunity and meaningful work for all according to their abilities, and where every worker is able to earn enough that they and their families may thrive.  It invites us to let go of our entitlements and be generous with all – as God is generous with us.

Prayer:   Generous God, we thank you for the many ways you bless us each and every day.  On this Labor Day, we remember those who are unemployed or under-employed, and those who are overworked. Provide work and rest as it is needed.  We pray for employers:  let them truly appreciate the contributions of their workers and honor them with wages that allow them to thrive.  Guide boards of directors, stockholders, and shareholders toward policies and practices that strengthen and support the well-being of all people.  In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.

Blessing for a New School Year

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Read: Mark 10:13-16

Reflect: In our community, this week marks the beginning of a new school year for many students. In many households there is a certain energy of eager anticipation: kids look forward to connecting with classmates, teachers are busy readying their classrooms for a new group of students, parents are excited for their children and yet a little sad to admit they are a bit more “grown up”. We all have memories of that first day of kindergarten… or middle school. We recall the adventure of starting high school… or perhaps going off to college.

The story of Jesus as he welcomes and blesses the children is a favorite of mine at any time of year, but especially during the “back to school” season. Over the years our family has been truly blessed by many teachers at all levels of learning who have shared Christ-like welcome, respect, patience, and love with their students. Thank you to all who have responded to God’s call on your lives to offer kindness, inspire curiosity, and share knowledge and understanding of our world and its people!

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for all who welcome your children of every age as they return to classrooms for another school year! Bless teachers, support staff, bus drivers, and administrators as they work on behalf of complex and wonderfully diverse student populations. Support and encourage parents as they entrust their children into the care of these professionals. Build healthy partnerships within our institutions of learning and across communities. Watch over all our children, to keep them safe and free from fear as they learn and grow in your wonderful world! We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

THANKSGIVING

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Read:  Psalm 104

Reflect:  When you hear the word “Thanksgiving”, what images come to mind?  Is it a table loaded up with turkey, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and all the other fixings?  Do you picture a multi-generational family gathering?  A day of watching football or parades?  Or do you imagine a state of gratitude that shapes and guides your daily life?  Although the 1954 musical White Christmas is set in the days or weeks leading up to Christmas, Irving Berlin’s song “Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)” seems appropriate for our Thanksgiving Day celebrations and for cultivating a daily spiritual practice of gratitude.  The words, in part, are these:  “When I’m worried, and I can’t sleep/ I count my blessings instead of sheep/ and I fall asleep counting my blessings…”  The author of Psalm 104 seems to share this sentiment.  The psalm is both an extensive recounting of the wonders of God’s creation, and a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s abundant provision and care. One can almost imagine the psalmist at the end of the day, counting God’s myriad blessings, and then falling gently to sleep with words of blessing and praise still on their lips!

Prayer:  Generous God, you lavishly bless your world and all its people.  In good times, and in challenging ones, you are faithfully at work bringing good from evil, light from darkness, and new life from that which is broken or dying.  Help me to set aside my doubts and fears.  Empower me to trust in the abundance of your goodness and mercy.  Make me truly grateful for each and every blessing that you offer.  Let me begin and end each day declaring, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”  In the name of Jesus, your greatest blessing, I pray.  Amen.

A Prayer for a New School Year

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God of all Wisdom, we give you thanks for the beginning of a new year of learning.  Watch over and protect all students.  Give them a love of learning that will stay with them throughout their lives.  Let them find joy in discovering the wonders of your world.  Let them be amazed by the diversity of life that you have made. 

Thank you for teachers, bus drivers, administrative staff and aides who give so much of themselves to the care of our children and youth.  Thank you for faculty, staff, and administrators who work in campuses of higher education.  Give a spirit of patience and understanding to all who engage in the education process. 

We pray also for parents.  Ease the anxieties that can come when children are in multiple schools and locations.  Inspire them with the knowledge they need to encourage and model life-long learning.  Give them the energy and patience they need to navigate the demands of work, school and activity schedules.  Fill them with your abundant love.

All these things, and whatever else is needful in your sight, grant to us, gracious and loving God.  Amen.