In times of social and cultural distress our minds are occupied more than we like with corrupt leaders and the havoc they wreak. The people of Israel in olden times, often turned to wonder, love, and praise for relief. As shall we on Tuesdays for a while. And we begin today with a breath meditation by Diane Sonda, our Children’s Pastor. And our benediction comes to us from the Rev. Julia Huttar Bailey.
Breath Meditation with Diane Sonda
The Sarum Prayer
God be in my head—and in my understanding
God be in my eyes—and in my looking
God be in my mouth—and in my speaking
God be in my heart—and in my thinking
God be at my end—and at my departing
Words of Praise
Psalm 98: 1–7
O come, let us sing to the LORD;
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
For the LORD is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
O come, let us worship and bow down,
let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
For he is our God,
and we are the people of his pasture,
and the sheep of his hand.
Prayer for Wisdom & Justice
O Divine Wisdom, who dwells within the holy of holies, and whose light shines through all things created, fill our hearts, O blessed One, with the hope of a blessed future.
Make all things new, return wrong to right, and cause us to walk in the ways of justice without which there can be no peace. Amen.
Prayer for Loved Ones
This is a prayer of love and remembrance for our loved ones. Over the next minute simply name your loved ones, calling each to mind in love, lifting each in the embrace of remembered love, to the God who is the source of all being. Go ahead: mute on.
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Gratitude Practice
Thanks is its own form of praise. Every day we are subject to blessings, small and big—consider with gratitude three of these, whatever comes to mind. Go ahead for next half minute.
Benediction
And now an African Canticle for our Benediction:
All you big things bless the Lord.
Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria
The Rift Valley and the Serengeti Plain,
Fat baobabs and shady mango trees,
All eucalyptus and tamarind trees,
Bless the Lord.
Praise and extol God forever and ever.
All you tiny things, bless the Lord.
Busy black ants and hopping fleas,
Wriggling tadpole and mosquito larvae,
Flying locusts and water drops,
Pollen dust and tsetse flies,
Millet seeds and dried dagaa,
Bless the Lord.
Praise and extol God forever and ever.
So have a blessed day, go in peace, wash your hands, love your neighbor: you are not alone.