How long, O Lord, how long? Every week we come to you adding to the list of names; victims, perpetrators, and places of violence and pain in the world. Today we hold before you the people of France and Turkey. Every night we flood our bed with tears and drench our couch with weeping. Our eyes waste away with grief. Our spirit shakes with terror. … Continue reading Prayers for France and Turkey (Again)
O Lord of life, the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens: Our world has once again been shaken by violence, gunfire, and explosions; this time at the Istanbul airport. We are weary because of our groaning. Every night we flood our bed with tears and drench our couch with weeping. Our eyes waste away with grief. Our spirit shakes with terror. How long, … Continue reading Prayers for Turkey and the World
While the civil calendar marks January 1 as New Year’s Day, the Church celebrates January 1 as the Feast of the Holy Name, Jesus. Although the two might be celebrated in different ways, they are not necessarily in opposition. Behind the celebrations, resolutions, and good wishes associated with the New Year I suspect there are, for many people, hope and a deep longing for a … Continue reading Prayers for the New Year
Dear People of God, our world has again been shaken by violence, gunfire, and explosions. Hear then the words of the psalmist who said, “For God alone my soul in silence waits; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be greatly shaken.” (62:1-2) Let us, therefore, in silence offer our prayers. For … Continue reading Praying for Beirut and Paris
O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us. O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy upon us. O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy upon us. O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God, Have mercy upon us. Lord, Jesus Christ, receive our prayers for all who suffer persecution for their religious faith … Continue reading A Litany of Prayer for Persecuted Peoples and Religions
The only way to pray is to pray; and the way to pray well is to pray much. If one has no time for this, then one must at least pray regularly. But the less one prays the worse it goes. – Abbot Chapman of Downside quoted by Michael Casey in Sacred Reading, The Art of Lectio Divina, p. 22 Continue reading The Only Way to Pray
A Thanksgiving for America Almighty God, giver of all good gifts; we thank you For this nation, our heritage, and for calling us to be the United States of America; For the founders of this country, the liberty they won for themselves and us, and for the torch of freedom they lit for nations then unborn; For the natural majesty and beauty of this land; … Continue reading Independence Day Prayers for America
Last evening, May 1, our parish celebrated its feast day, the Feast of St. Philip. The evening included Holy Eucharist and a dedication and blessing of the newly completed labyrinth and prayer garden using the liturgy below. + + + Through the ages, Almighty God has moved his people to set apart holy places for prayer and to recognize and celebrate God’s presence in those … Continue reading Blessing of a Labyrinth
Consequently, prayer is a matter of love. Man expresses love through prayer, and if we pray, it is an indication that we love God. If we do not pray this indicates we do not love God, for the measure of our prayer is the measure of our love for God. – Archimandrite Zacharias, The Hidden Man of the Heart, 68 Continue reading “Prayer is a Matter of Love”
Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your Church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one … Continue reading We Need a Moses in Every Age
