Category Archives: Prayers

A Blessing on the Last Days of Christmas

04 Wednesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Epiphany Liturgy/Prayers, Holidays, Prayers

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Divine Glimmer-

The strands of lights are unhooked from the eavestroughs,
And the metallic garland removed from tree’s branches.
January’s shadows prevail when Christmas is removed.

Yet you are the Great Light.
When the brightness of Christmas has been erased from our sight,
The Epiphany glow in our souls brightens.

May the Epiphany Glow expand from our hearts
to reach our neighbors hurting from the cold nights,
short days, and seasonal silence.

May the Epiphany Glow draw us together
even greater than the parties of December
and the hustle of Advent.

May the Epiphany Glow kindle kindness,
knowing that the Christ is present in our midst,
as you, Holy Light, are eager to build your bright realm in our shadowed world.

Amen.

A Prayer in the Face of Manipulation

26 Wednesday Oct 2022

Posted by in Health, Life, Prayers

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Trigger Warning: emotional/mental abuse

As the tornadic gales of manipulation
Toss and turn my mind one way or another,
Steady God, guide me to smooth ground.

Fill my mind with peaceful pictures
As the winds of confusion swirl around me.

Allow me the time to sort my thoughts.
Escort me away from the gaslights summoning me from another direction.

May my sympathetic soul sort the winds,
as I recognize the breezes of kindness
in the midst of the tempests of feigned emotions.

Holy Spirit, Holy Air,
As I inhale your breath,
May I inhale confidence in my thoughts.
As I exhale your breath,
May I exhale confidence in my voice.

Amen.

A National “Stop Bullying Day” Prayer

12 Wednesday Oct 2022

Posted by in National Day Prayers, Prayers

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Holy Creator of Loving-Kindness,

In this moment, we know the mouths of people are tearing up the hearts of your children.
In this hour, our siblings are crying tears from the hate setting this world on fire.
Words melt hope.
Words erase progress and possibilities.
And as our friends are working to pick themselves up again, more venomous sentiments inflame their weary souls.

In this moment, may we work to build up the hearts of your children.
In this hour, may we dry the tears and build joy as we calm the flames of hate.
May we build hope in the hearts of our neighbors.
May possibilities and progress appear in the visions and dreams of our loved ones again.

For our souls are too weary to worry about what will come next.

God of love, can you awaken us to the ways we enable hate?
God of grace, can you fill us with ways that we can extend your mercy?
God of hope, can you build a healthy power in each one of us-
A power where we walk away from words, and fists, and systems of destruction?

May your loving-kindness surround us like a refreshing stream,
Cooling us from hostilities and resentments,
And reviving us for the road ahead.

Amen.

Wednesday Prayer: A Prayer for Energy

05 Wednesday Oct 2022

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Holy Winds of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow-

We stop on this island in the middle of this week’s seas, reflecting on the days behind us. As we turn around to head forward, we sit, wondering where this energy is – the power to complete this week with love, grace, and enthusiasm.

For all we want to do is nap on the island in the middle of this week’s seas. Such physical and mental exhaustion wipes us. Do we have enough vigor to make it to tomorrow’s land? Will we have enough stamina to work until the tasks can be completed?

We know all strength originates with you, Divine Stamina. Through your energy, we find our energy.

As we move ahead, may your Holy Air around us carry us from task to task, taking the weight off of our hearts and heads and feet. May the warm breezes comfort us when the road seems long.

And may we see you clearly in each movement in the journey.

Amen.

A Coffee Day Prayer

29 Thursday Sep 2022

Posted by in Life, National Day Prayers, Prayers

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Bright God of the Dawn,

For the first awakened breath we take for this day, we celebrate with you. We pull ourselves out of our slumbers to see where our adventures with you will go.

But first, coffee.

We give much gratitude for the beans that you have produced to give us an elixir of awakeness.

For the smooth (or bitter) tastes that cross our taste buds, we give you gratitude. For the many ways that we can enjoy the fruit of your creation, we give you thanks. For the second and third winds these beverages bring our way, we share our appreciation with you, Holy One.

With our mugs and recycle-able paper cups, we toast our ritual of dawn with you, God of alertness and light.

Amen.

A Prayer on the Birth of Autumn

22 Thursday Sep 2022

Posted by in Pop, Prayers

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Holy God, Divine Crisp Breeze of Love,

As the sun breaks the horizon on this new season,
Birthing the reds, and oranges, and browns of foliage,
We bask in your Holy Glow.

Fill us with the joy of coziness that comes with throws and cocoas,
With warm mugs and vanilla-scented candles,
And with cheerful friendships and invigorating conversations.

May the crunchiness of leaves below our feet
Fill us with your peace that accompanies endings,
The hope of new life beyond the equinox,
And the illumination that will burst again beyond shadows.

May we know that even in the shortened days,
Your light extends beyond each premature sunset.

Amen.

Blessing of the Building

24 Sunday Apr 2022

Posted by in Church Life, Prayers, Religion

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Holy God, Divine Architect of All-

This beautiful space today reminds us that we co-create with you. Each brick reminds us of our strength through you. Each window reminds us of your light that shines through us.

God of Love and Light: Bless the space today. Bless each brick, each panel of wood, each nail which has assembled this building. Bless all of the hands and hearts which have built and restored this place as we give much gratitude for their gifts. Bless all who have given their treasures in making this day possible.

Each time two or more are gathered in this space, may they see your presence surrounding them. In gatherings of joy, fill their hearts with happiness, and may this room be filled with laughter. As groups congregate for solemn occasions, surround them with your peace, and may their souls experience your comfort.

We give thanks for the saints whose gifts continue to echo in this sanctuary. May their memories continue to bless current and future generations who congregate in this place.

May this space be one which builds community, believing that your love will strengthen our ties and create your realm on this earth.

Amen.

*****

This was written for the Celebration of the Restoration of Heritage Hall at St. Paul United Church of Christ, April 2022.

A Prayer in the Tedious Moments of Recovering

06 Sunday Mar 2022

Posted by in Health, Life, Pop, Prayers

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God of the Bland and the Boring-

Now I lay me down to rest as I have been on days on end. There are only so many movies to stream and shows to binge and Wordles to solve and naps to take.

My mind is willing. But my body is weak.

In this season of healing and boredom, may I see your presence in the spinning of ceiling fan and the pillows beneath my head. May I see your rainbow of colors in the blandness of days. May this body heal as it should, and allow me to see how my stillness rebuilds a healing body. May this season of rest nurture the soil which will hold the seeds of my creativity.

Above all, help me to see your light and love surrounding me in the comfort of my resting spaces.

Amen.

Advent Candle Lighting Prayer for Love

15 Wednesday Dec 2021

Posted by in Advent prayers, Holidays, Liturgy, Pop, Prayers

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Tensions rise between neighbors. Hate lurks in stores and on roads, in school hallways and political discussions. Humanity focuses more on its own individual well being instead of the well being of all.

Yet animosity isn’t the last word, and hate will never win because God’s love endures forever. Divine love dissipates all venom and sweetens all bitterness.

Even as we walk in the shadow filled valleys of toxic interactions, God’s love is lighting the path to the future. Through the Spirit of the Christ in our world, the vapors of hate will not last in our world. Love will spread from person to person, lifting the toxic fogs that linger between people.

We light the candle of love to clear the cloud of hate in our world and dissolve the mists of gloom as the Christ enters our world and brightness continues to grow. Amen.

(c)2021 Rev. Michelle L. Torigian. Permission to use in a worship service (including a streamed service) with attribution.

Blessing of the Prayer Shawls/Blankets

20 Saturday Nov 2021

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God of Peace, Holy Comforter-

Our life’s circumstances can be quite chilly sometimes. During our times of winter, we look for you to warm our hearts. In the long nights of loss and change, your Spirit hugs our weary souls.

As these shawls/blankets wrap around your children, may they feel comfort that only comes from you. May your Spirit enliven the ones who will receive these shawls/blankets. May they find resurrection in their lives and renewal around every corner. May they know that you are resting as they rest and journeying as they journey.

God of Restoration, bless the hands that have crafted these shawls/blankets. With each movement of their fingers, help them to see how they co-create with you.

May we be a comfort to our neighbors when evening is long and loneliness lurks. As these shawls/blankets warm the hearts of your children, continue to remind us of our deep connection through the loving thread of Christ.

Amen.