Thank you, Loving God, for the Spirit-filled people you send to us to bring us good news, heal broken hearts, and who speak freedom and who remind us we are; your Beloved. We join with them, turning our sorrow into joyful songs of praise because you are with us. Thank you for removing our shame and disgrace. We relish in our inheritance and double portions. You fill us to the brim.
We enter your sacred prayer space with praise in our voices, dancing with celebration. Stories of your wonderful acts have been shared through the generations. Like the wind and waves, we also remember your name. We see the Faithmarkers of our ancestors. We know you are faithful.
You beckon us to come away with you. Give us feet ready to run with you. Comfort and assure us as we lay in your presence, in your vast and bountiful meadows. We want for nothing, for you are with us.
With our whole hearts, we worship and adore you. Thank you for the sacred space, where we can explore and embrace your love for us. In hope we are joyful and we lift up our prayers. Our love for you is deep and wide and it flows out to your creation. We pay attention to see you and who you send our way. May we live in harmony with you and your creation.
We gather with multitudes of believers in celebration. We are grateful for your obedience to your earthly mother–she, who pondered in her heart the many observances of your glory from times before you were born. She, who was near to God, knew your nature as fully God and fully human. Though human in your initial response to Mary, even still, your divine nature responded with love and obedience.
First Week after the Epiphany, Saturday, January 18, 2025
Today, we invite you to reread, rest, and reflect on the prayers of the past week.
Lectionary Readings for Today: Weekly Review
Psalm 36:5-10
Jeremiah 4:1-4
Luke 11:14-23
I am amazed in your presence today, Loving LORD, and thank you for…
The wind, water, heavens, and angels all know you and follow your ways. We participate in your great mystery, joining with creation in constant praise to you.
Loving God, your ways are not our ways. We confess our lust for power, reputation, and status. Thank you for your gentle reminder we are your beloved creation. You love us. Thank you, the Holy Spirit is a gift of grace, mercy, and intimacy. May we be conduits of your love and Spirit to bless others and not to control them. We love you.
You are our LORD of Love. You see the inequity of human laws and set all things equal among your believers. We enter your sacred prayer space with the sins of our ancestors upon us. But you place your perfect laws of equity, equality and love before us.
Fire, storms, and floods consume our enemies before you. At your command, your adversaries are swept away. You sustain us within your veil. Though the earth quakes, mountains crumble, and waters roar and foam; you are with us and are our refuge.
With joy we praise you!