Spring Forest Morning Prayers
Week 10 - April 21-27, 2024
Fourth Week of Easter, Year B
Work as a Rule of Life
Sunday
[Expanded Sunday Prayers for a Spring Forest Rule of Life at close of Pilgrimage weekend.]
Rest as a Rule of Life
Today is a sacred day for rest and renewal of the body, mind, and spirit.
God, we praise you on this Sabbath day of rest,
for you are our Shepherd who watches over us and provides for us,
as a shepherd cares for his flock.
Silence
Let us be still and take in your goodness in this new day.
Prayers of Gratitude
Gracious God, we thank you for guiding us along beautiful paths in your creation,
as you seek to quiet our souls and lead us in all of life.
You comfort us when days are hard and when we feel downtrodden,
lifting us up to continue our journey beside you.
You go before us to prepare the way.
Our hearts overflow with praise for your goodness and mercy always
chases after us so we can abide with you for all our days.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father and Mother in heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kin-dom come, your will be done,
On Earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil,
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
Now and forever Amen
A Reading
Job 12:7-12 (NRSVUE)
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, the birds of the air, and they will tell you;ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you, and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.Does not the ear test words as the palate tastes food?Is wisdom with the aged and understanding in length of days?
Guided meditation and reflection using Lectio Terra
Intercessions
Gracious God, we come together in prayer on behalf of
our broken, beautiful, hurting world.
Shine your light into the heart of every person who is
lonely and feels disconnected.
Touch the sick with your healing hand and relieve their
pain and suffering.
We pray for the hungry, that you would provide food
for their bodies and nourishment for their souls.
For those that have no home in which to gather and
give thanks, make your presence and love known.
Show us how to bless our enemies and welcome the
foreigner in our midst.
Lord, we pause to lift up the needs of others that press deeply on our hearts…
And now Lord
May your peace reign over all the earth.
May all our thanks and praise be to you alone.
Amen.
Sending Forth Prayer
Today and every day, Lord guide us along the path set before us and
enable us to love others and all of creation as you love us.
Lectionary Readings: Psalm 23, Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18
Monday
Work as a Rule of Life
Come, let’s shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock who saved us!Let’s march into his presence singing praises, lifting the rafters with our hymns!
And why? Because God is the best, High King over all the gods.In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns, in the other hand grasps the high mountains.He made Ocean—he owns it! His hands sculpted Earth!
So come, let us worship: bow before him, on your knees before God, who made us!
Psalm 95:1-7 (MSG)
Silence
Be still and aware of God’s presence within and all around you.
Prayers of Gratitude
Creator God, who has made all that surrounds us;
we thank you for the beauty of the Earth.
What a privilege to be entrusted as stewards over your creation!
You know what we need from day to day,
and we give thanks for the ways you provide for us.
Thank you for the work that is before us, and may our actions glorify your name.
Praise be to our creator God, who invites us to be co-creators for the kingdom.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Reflect upon what God has anointed you to do for his kingdom.
Intercessions
Gracious God, you ask us to tend to your beloved, just as Jesus modeled.
We must confess that it is hard to follow in his footsteps.
For to care as Christ cared, means we must love as Jesus loves.
Give us compassionate hearts to see others as you see them,
and place within us a spirit of humility in all that you entrust us to do.
Our great provider and strength, hear now the desires and prayers of our hearts…
Sending Forth Prayer
Go in the strength and peace of Christ our Lord, empowered to
step out in faith as the Lord is calling you.
Lectionary Readings: Psalm 95; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 Peter 5:1-5
Tuesday
Work as a Rule of Life
Come, let us worship Him. Everyone bow down; kneel before the Eternal who made us.For He is our God and we are His people, the flock of His pasture, His sheep protected and nurtured by His hand.
Psalm 95:6-7 (VOICE)
Silence
Today, when He speaks, listen to His voice and follow where he leads you.
Prayers of Gratitude
We give you thanks. O Lord, for the gift of today,
another day to join in the work you have created us to do.
We can never thank you enough for the ways you empower us
to be your hands and feet in this world.
You anoint us with your Spirit to be bearers of grace and peace,
and to facilitate healing and wholeness in the name of Christ.
It is with gratitude and in humility that we praise you for your wonderous works in our lives…
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Revelation 7:13-17
Reflect upon what it means to be in a continual posture of worship in all of life.
Intercessions
Gracious God, we come to you in prayer this day, with much on our hearts and minds.
Give us faith to believe that you will provide for all our needs and can heal all our wounds.
For those who are sick, make them well;
For those who are broken; make them whole again;
For those who are downcast,
encourage their inner spirit to arise in the power of Christ’s name.
Lord, we lift up these and other prayers to you in believing prayer…
Sending Forth Prayer
Loving God, you are ever-present in our lives.
Continue to guide us toward your unending springs that provide the true water of life.
Empower us to in turn invite others to journey alongside us
to receive the goodness of your mercy and grace.
Lectionary Readings: Psalm 95; 1 Chronicles 11:1-9; Revelation 7:13-17
Wednesday
Work as a Rule of Life
Come, let’s sing out loud to the Lord! Let’s raise a joyful shout to the rock of our salvation!
Let’s come before him with thanks! Let’s shout songs of joy to him!
Come, let’s worship and bow down! Let’s kneel before the Lord, our maker!He is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep in his hands.
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7 (CEB)
Silence
Be still and know that God is God.
Prayers of Gratitude
Lord, you are a great God, and you rule over all other gods and kings.We give thanks that all the world is safe in your hands.
The earth’s depths are in your hands; the mountain heights belong to you; the sea, which you made, is yours along with the dry ground, which your own hands formed.
Hear, O Lord, our other thanksgivings this day…
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Mark 14:26-31
Reflect upon Jesus’ goodness, mercy, and grace in loving us even when we deny him.
Intercessions
Loving God, who gave up his life for us,
forgive us when we fall short and deny our place at your table.
Even when we distance ourselves and turn our backs from you,
never stop pursuing us and seeking to be a part of our lives.
May your delight in us never end and your compassion never cease.
Bend your ear toward us and hear the prayers of our hearts today…
Sending Forth Prayer
God of mercy and grace, strengthen us to boldly proclaim of your goodness.
Lectionary Readings: Psalm 95; Micah 7:8-20; Mark 14:26-31
Thursday
Work as a Rule of Life
Here in this great gathering for prayer we have discovered this praise-life.And we’ll do what we promised right here in front of the God-worshipers.Down-and-outers sit at God’s table and eat their fill.Everyone on the hunt for God is here, praising him.“Live it up, from head to toe. Don’t ever quit!”
Psalm 22:25-26 (MSG, adapted)
Silence
Be still and aware of God’s presence within and all around.
Prayers of Gratitude
Compassionate God, we come lifting up our hearts in praise for your wonderous works
in our lives and the gifts of the Spirit flowing forth from us to world.
Wherever we turn, there are signs of your goodness, mercy, and grace if only
we pause long enough to take in the grandeur of all that makes up your creation.
And we give you thanks for the ways we are invited to co-create with you!
The Lord’s Prayer
Reading
Acts 8:1b-8
Reflect upon the ways Jesus’ disciples faithfully proclaimed the gospel,
even during the most difficult of circumstances.
Intercessions
Gracious God, we come to you in prayer desiring humble hearts and willing spirits
to step out in faith whenever you call.
Help us to reach out to our neighbors and remove any pride within us that holds us back.
Let us be reminded that as we struggle in our walk with you, we are not alone,
for there are others who need your healing mercy and steadfast love.
Lord, hear us as we lift up the names and situations on our hearts this day…
Sending Forth Prayer
God of mercy, guide our steps this day and empower us to boldly walk in the strength
only you can provide.
Lectionary Readings: Psalm 22:25-31; Amos 8:1-7; Acts 8:1b-8
Friday
Work as a Rule of Life
Here in this great gathering for prayer we have discovered this praise-life.
All the power-mongers are before him —worshiping!All the poor and powerless, too —worshiping!Along with those who never got it together —worshiping!
God has taken charge; from now on he has the last word.
Psalm 22:25, 28-29 (MSG, adapted)
Silence
Marvel at how the movement of the Spirit breathes new life into all who believe.
Prayers of Gratitude
Gracious God, we give you thanks for the life-giving breath your Spirit provides.
We praise you for putting the joy of your salvation into our hearts and giving us
hope for tomorrow through the power of your Word proclaimed.
We gladly share our thanks and praise with you and each other today.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Acts 8:9-25
Reflect upon the difference it makes when we boldly proclaim in the name of Jesus.
Intercessions
We come to you in prayer, O God, in the hope and confidence that once again
you will provide for our needs and bring healing in all areas of our lives.
We pray not just for ourselves, but for those that have entrusted their needs, their struggles,
and their pain to us, so we in turn can intercede on their behalf.
Merciful, healing God, hear the prayers on our hearts this day…
Sending Forth Prayer
May our hope and joy be infectious, and like the first disciples, point others to Christ.
Lectionary Readings: Psalm 22:25-31; Amos 8:11-13; Acts 8:9-25
Saturday
Work as a Rule of Life
Here in this great gathering for prayer we have discovered this praise-life.
From the four corners of the earth people are coming to their
senses, and running back to God.Long-lost families are falling on their faces before you.
Our children and their children will get in on thisas the word is passed along from parent to child.Babies not yet conceived will hear the good news
—that God does what he says he will do.
Psalm 22:25, 27, 30-31 (MSG, adapted)
Silence
Be still and in awe of the transforming power of the Spirit from
generation to generation.
Prayers of Gratitude
Sovereign God, you join our hearts in thanks and praise for the ways your Spirit
moves within and among us. We thank you for the gift of community,
that strengthens our faith and encourages us to step out
in new and expansive ways as your Spirit guides us.
What joy we have knowing that we are not alone, and that you are always
where we are. Hallelujah! Praise be to God.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Mark 4:30-32
Reflect upon the possibilities of all the seeds God has planted within you.
Intercessions
Merciful God, so often we lack faith in understanding all that you are
and the transformative power your Spirit has in our lives.
Create within us discerning hearts to receive the message of the Gospel in such a way that we become willing vessels to proclaim your truths to others.
As we plant seeds of your mercy and grace into the hearts of others, enrich the soil of their souls
so your goodness, mercy, and grace will flourish to overflowing in their lives.
And for all of the prayers on our hearts this day, we humbly lift them up to you…
Sending Forth Prayer
Go in the power of the Holy Spirit to plant the message of the Gospel through your words and deeds.
Lectionary Readings: Psalm 22:25-31; Amos 9:7-15; Mark 4:30-32
Peace be with you.