Tag Archives: Blessing

A Blessing of the Cats

08 Thursday Aug 2024

Posted by in Life, Pop, Pop Culture, Prayers

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Holy Crafter of all Creatures Great and Small-

Our beloved meow-makers and purr-producers are some of our greatest gifts.
The cats in our lives paint our hearts with joy and our homes with fur.

We give thanks for the ways we feel peace as we pet their backs
And talk with them as if they are our children.

Whether it be hairballs left on the floor or scratches in the furniture,
We know their imperfections still delight our souls.

May their health be well,
May their temperaments be…whatever “normal” cat-like behavior is.
May they enjoy looking out for insects and rodents for us
(But not leave them as “gifts” on our doormats),
May they stay away from anything that could poison their well-being.
And may they find joy – even when they seem like they are ignoring us.

We bless the cat-parents, the foster-families, and the ones who care for our felines.
May their hearts appreciate their beloved pets,
As they rub their heads against our hands,
As they sit upon our laps,
And as they follow us around the house.

God of all Joy,
Bless these beautiful beings,
Their stripes of many colors
Their fur of various lengths,
And meows of many volumes.

Amen.

A Blessing of the Storytellers

21 Thursday Mar 2024

Posted by in National Day Prayers, Poetry, Pop, Pop Culture, Prayers, Vocation Prayers

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Holy Crafter of All Narratives,

As our stories are etched into our memories
And become part of this universe’s great chronicles,
Bless the ones who continue to write and speak the tales of their kins
And the fiction birthed from their souls.

For the stories that derived from holy sources
And the great epic tales entertaining one generation to the next,
We cherish the blessed memories and myths that continue to pave our planet.

For the voices of storytellers,
For their animated faces and expressions with hands,
We share our joy.
For the creative ways they tell a tale,
And the way they keep stories alive,
We celebrate their gifts.

For the creators of the written word,
From ones writing history from the marginalized
to the ones who write in ways with captivating language,
We give our thanks.

May the stories continue from age to age.
May the narratives of our ancestors never be forgotten.
May the stories that were silenced be amplified once again.
May courage empower the narrators and poets.
And may we know the power of passing our stories forward.

Amen.

March 20 is World Storytelling Day

(c) 2024 Rev. Michelle L. Torigian. Permission to use with attribution.

A Blessing of the Pillows

13 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in Life, Prayers

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God of the Blissful Moonrise,

As daytime’s shift brings forth nighttime’s reign,
Sleep nears.
Our eyelids become heavy.
Our head nods.
And today must bid adieu.

Bless the pillows that hold our heads
And absorb our dreams.
Support our weary necks
Aching from the long days.
May the wisdom of sunlight’s hours
Rest well as we sleep,
Allowing today’s worries to hibernate-
At least until morning.

May our pillows continue to balance us
Cool us when we are warm,
And warm us when we are cool.
May it’s gift to us be a restful night of sleep
As we resume our lives as dawn awakens.

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.

Blessing of the Prayer Shawls/Blankets

20 Saturday Nov 2021

Posted by in Prayers

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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.