Morning Prayers
Sunday, June 2, 2024
NEIGHBOR as a Rule of Life
Opening Sentence
Sing aloud to God our strength: shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Psalm 81:1
Silence
Be still and aware of God’s Presence within and all around
Prayers of Gratitude
As we rest in God’s love for us and for our neighbors, what prayers of gratitude will you offer for the gift of rest and the gifts of your neighbors?
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 and/or Mark 2:23-3:6
Reflection Suggestions
Two of today’s lectionary texts are about Sabbath! Both lessons from Deuteronomy and Mark provide rich substance for considering connections between all the movements of the Spring Forest Rule of Life(ROL): Prayer. Work. Table. Neighbor. Rest. particularly as the focus is the Neighbor dynamic in the ROL.
Consider Jesus’ words and actions in relationship to the Law and to the relationships with the different persons in the Mark 2 reading? (We might think of them as “neighbors” with differing relationships to Jesus, to one another, to the law, and the man by the pool). What do Jesus’ behaviors suggest to you about neighboring and rest?
Intercessions
O God of Sabbath , God of rest,
Heal us of our addictions to busy-ness and our driven behaviors
toward hurry and worry and rule-keeping which forsake compassion, gentleness and kindness.
Help us to come with empty arms into your presence
so that there is space between us and within us for receiving the gifts of Sabbath
and the gifts of our neighbors this day.
Sending Forth Prayer
Go into this day with open arms,
Receiving God’s gift of rest,
Knowing the Sabbath was made for you!
Daily Prayer for Spring Forest Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
to God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen.
Daily Lectionary Texts: Deuteronomy 5:12-15; Psalm 81:1-10; 2 Cor. 4:5-12; Mark 2: 23-3:6
Monday, June 3 2024
NEIGHBOR as a Rule of Life
Opening Sentence
The Lord is King; let the peoples tremble.
God is Great in Zion. God is exalted over all peoples. Psalm 99:1-2
Silence
Be still and aware of God’s Presence within you, around you and over all people.
Prayers of Gratitude
Let us praise God’s great and awesome name! Holy is GOD! Psalm 99: 3
For what and for whom do we praise God today? May we begin by giving thanks for those who share in morning prayers, and with neighbors, both nearby and far away.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Exodus 16:13-26
Reflection Suggestions
The text calls us back to Sunday’s text about Sabbath laws and may continue to stir up contemplation of other movements in the Rule of Life: Prayer. Work. Table. Neighbor. Rest.
As you reflect on the text, what are your thoughts about implications for neighboring practices in the way of Jesus’ love?
Intercessions
O God of abundant provision, life-giving sustenance and rhythmic experiences of work and rest and table, prayer and neighboring relationships, we offer prayers for one another and our neighbors—those as close as next door, across the hall, across the street, around the corner, across the next field, or two villages away. We also pray for those neighbors who live in other lands. Show us how to follow Jesus into the neighborhoods of our lives.
Sending Forth Prayer
May you go out with joy and be led forth in peace as you trust God for good provisions for you this day: meaningful work, daily bread, neighboring friendships, and opportunities for partnering in care for one another and care for the earth.
Daily Prayer for Spring Forest Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
to God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen.
Daily Lectionary Texts: Psalm 99; 1 Samuel 2:11-17; Romans 9:19-29; Psalm 78:1-4, 52-72; Ex 16:13-26
Tuesday, June 4, 2024
NEIGHBOR as a Rule of Life
Opening Sentence
Let them praise your great and awesome name!
Holy is God!
Extol the Lord, our God and worship at God’s holy mountain,
for the Lord, our God, is Holy! (Psalm 99: 3, 9)
Silence
Be still and aware of God’s Holy presence within you and among this gathered community.
No matter the gathering space—virtual or shared location—God is here! God is with us!
Prayers of Gratitude
O Holy One, You ARE here! YOU are HERE! Among us! Within us!
What a wonder!
We lift your name high and shout for joy!
We move into quiet inner spaces, and we are hushed into wordless awe.
What a wonder!
Holy One! You are here! Amen.
Let us give our thanks for the wonderous, awe-inspiring, breath-taking and life-giving moments we are experiencing this week, especially those shared with our neighbors.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Acts 15: 22-35
Reflection Suggestions
Reflect on the text and relational dynamics in the story. What insights does Spirit prompt for you regarding essential practices for healthy neighboring and thriving communities? What other thoughts or questions does the reading inspire today?
Intercessions
Open our eyes to see your Spirit at work in all of our neighborhoods.
Open our ears to listen well for the deeper joys and unspoken sorrows of our neighbors.
Fill our hearts with compassion and grace to learn their stories well, and to better understand our stories and those of our neighbors are all a part of Your One, Great Story.
Open our minds to new possibilities, new opportunities
for loving you and each other more authentically
when varied gifts are joined together in your holy work.
Strengthen our arms and hands for laboring together in nurturing your Beloved Community.
Help us step out of their way,
and get out of our own way
so that there is room to receive wisdom, to share power,
to work for justice and to walk humbly with you.
Guide our feet on your good road as we journey with our neighbors,
together “marching up to freedom’s land.” Amen.
Sending Forth Prayer
Go into this day in the power of the Spirit,
walking the good road with God and your neighbors.
A Daily Prayer for Spring Forest Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
to God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen.
Daily Lections: Psalm 99; 1 Samuel 2:18-21; Acts 15:1-5, 22-35; Psalm 78:1-4, 52-72; Exodus 16:27-36
Wednesday, June 5, 2024
NEIGHBOR as a Rule of Life
Opening
O God, you heard and answered Moses, Aaron and Samuel
when they cried to you on behalf of your people.
You were and are a forgiving God.
So, we come, as they did, to praise your great and awesome name. Keep speaking to us as you did to them, and have to others of your children across the generations upon generations.
You are holy, holy, holy! ( inspired by Psalm 99: 5-9)
Silence
As the community enters into silence, delight in the sweetness of God’s ever present,
ever-healing love for you and for this unique gathering of God’s children in prayer.
Prayers of Gratitude
Holy, God, the Psalmist declares over and over: You are holy!
You are the one who not only listens to us, but you answer us.
You speak to us in the silence, through creation, in the words of prophets and priests,
in the actions and wonder of little ones,
through the wisdom of young ones, middle ones and older ones.
You have given us families of our birth, families of choice, and the Family of our hearts.
You call all of us-- all of us--your children.
You have given us friends and neighbors who reflect your light and love; and, you shine your light through us so that we all share in the ever-expanding nature of your glory!
How can we not praise You!
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
John 5: 1-18
Reflection Suggestions
Reflect on the Gospel and the relationships between various groups/persons in this healing story. What is the nature of their relationships to one another? To Jesus? What can we learn about neighboring in the way of Jesus? What do you think of this idea: neighboring like Jesus may not always be nice and tidy: rather, it may require following Jesus into the neighborhoods of our lives, and stirring up “good trouble!” (John Lewis’s expression).
Intercessions
Pray for discernment regarding the good trouble needing to be stirred up
in your neighborhood, and to which the Spirit may be calling you.
Pray for neighbors whose different embodiment of God’s Spirit
can mean we may not be listening and learning from them about
God’s radical vision for fullness of life and fullness of inclusion in the Kin-dom of God.
Pray that we listen, learn and grow in love with God and all of our neighbors.
Sending Forth Prayer
Hear the question: Do you want to be made well?
Receive the call to faith in action: Stand up, take your mat; and walk!
Recognize the voice and the One who speaks healing and truth into your very being.
Go in peace to love God and your neighbor; to partner with your neighbor.
Freely you have received. Freely give.
Daily Prayer for Spring Forest Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
to God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen.
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 99; 1 Samuel 2:22-36; John 5:1-18
Thursday, June 6, 2024
NEIGHBOR as a Rule of Life
Opening
Though we walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve us against the wrath of our enemies; you stretch your hand, and your right hand delivers us. (Psalm 138:7)
Silence
Attend to the gift your breath, the steadfastness of your heartbeat. May the harmony of rhythmic natures of breathing and heartbeat create awareness of God’s presence with you and in you bring deepening peace and stillness.
Prayers of Gratitude
Among the many thanksgivings that spring to our lips at the beginning of morning prayer, give thanks for experiences this week of God’s presence and strength with you and/or evidenced in your neighborhood in the midst of trouble.
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
I Peter 4: 7-11
Reflection Suggestions
Constant love for one another. Hospitality without complaining.
Good stewards of incalculable experiences of grace upon grace upon grace.
Serving one another and together with gifts received from God.
Speaking as if we’re speaking God’s words.
Serving with the strength God supplies…
All of this guidance was given to folks who were dealing with
extraordinary experiences of personal and family loss, communal conflict, worries,
national and global challenges, threats?!
How do these encouragements and instructions to followers of Jesus
in a different place and time speak to us, who also
seek to generously and genuinely neighbor like Jesus in our day and time?
Intercessions
Pray for those who walk in the midst of trouble today,
and for those who willing follow Jesus and get into “good trouble.”
Sending Forth Prayer
Walk boldly into this new day,
empowered by hope and faith in this trustworthy promise:
The Lord will fulfill God’s purpose for you because
God’s steadfast love for you endures forever! (Psalm 138:8).
Daily Prayer for Spring Forest Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
to God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen.
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 138; 1 Samuel 4:1-22; 1 Peter 4:7-19
Friday, June 7, 2024
NEIGHBOR as a Rule of Life
Opening
We give you thanks, O Lord, with our whole hearts. We sing your praise.
We give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness;
for you have exalted your word and you name above everything.
On the day we called, you answered… (Psalm 138:1-3)
Silence
In the stillness, be aware of God’s steadfast love for you;
And through you, God’s steadfast love for your neighbor.
Prayers of Gratitude
O God, for your faithfulness;
your constant and unchanging love…
How could our response be anything other than praise and wonder?
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
2 Corinthians 4:7-11; 16-17; and 5:1-5
Reflection Suggestions
C.S .Lewis wrote about this concept in his book, The Weight of Glory,
a collection of essays addresses and sermons. (Various publication formats in 1941, 1942, 1949 and 1980)
Quotes retrieved from https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/1629232-the-weight-of-glory on May 27, 2024.
“It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship it…
All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to… one of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics.
There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. … it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”
This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously - no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.”
What are your reflections, inspired by these extraordinary words/phrases (NRSV):
“an eternal weight of glory, beyond all measure; guaranteed by the Spirit.”?
How might this metaphor influence practices toward ourselves and our neighbors as each of us belonging to God, reflecting the Light of Christ?
Intercessions
Creating, loving God, you are ever-making all things new, including us.
We ask for new eyes for seeing ourselves—our pasts, our present and our futures-
in the light of your grace and goodness.
May we see and celebrate how you are changing us,
“little by little, every day; little by little in every way…”
Give us new eyes for seeing our neighbors, friends, family and community members
in that same new light of your steadfast love.
May we honor one another as those are even now being invested by your Spirit,
with an eternal weight of glory, and all of it,
every single aspect of this transformation, bring glory to your name. Amen.
Sending Forth Prayer
Step into this new day with confidence,
a heart full of gratitude and the humility of Christ Jesus.
We and our neighbors are, by the Spirit’s guarantee,
being transformed from one degree of glory,
more and more and more and more
Into the likeness of Christ!
Go in Joy!
Daily Prayer for Spring Forest Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
to God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen.
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 138; 1 Samuel 5:1-12; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5; Deuteronomy 1:34-40
Saturday, June 7, 2024
NEIGHBOR as a Rule of Life
Opening
We wait for You, O Lord; our souls wait.
In Your word, we hope.
Our souls wait for the Lord …
more than those who watch for the morning…
More than those who watch for the morning!
With you, O Lord there is steadfast love;
With you, there is great power to redeem us. (from Psalm 130: 5-6)
Silence
Prayers of Gratitude
We draw near to you, O God and offer thanksgivings with our whole hearts.
For the gifts of life, your presence with us throughout each day;
For each experience of grace this past week, we say, “Thank you.”
You have responded to our cries of “Help!” You have been our strength and redeemer.
You have guided us, nudged us, forgiven us, comforted and sustained us.
Through our neighbors, through readings and prayers, time with you,
and seeing you at work in the world, we have been encouraged.
Blessings--more numerous than stars in the sky, sand on the shore or seeds of grain sown in the field have filled our days!
You have planted new seeds for fruits of the Spirit
to be cultivated, ripened and shared with our communities.
Your Spirit has led us to places of wonder, and all we can say now, is “Wow!”
We love you, Lord!
The Lord’s Prayer
A Reading
Luke 8: 4-15
Reflection Suggestions
Reflect on the Gospel and consider these questions among others you may have:
Where and what kind of seeds are being sown in your neighborhood and by whom?
What kind of seeds are being sown into your life, and what kind are you sowing?
What’s the quality of the soil? How might it be nourished?
What actions might help the seeds to yield fruit that will last?
What might this familiar parable suggest about neighboring practices and relationships with fields, forests, water, plants and other living creatures with whom we share this tiny planet?
Intercessions
Different aspects of neighboring as a rule of life have been suggested
by the readings and prayers this week. What is one of the insights, questions or practices
you will be taking with you from this week’s prayers? For whom in the neighborhood of morning prayers might you offer a prayer of thanksgiving and intercession today?
Sending Forth Prayer
Go into the world in peace, and in the name of the Holy One,
May you attentive to God’s presence in all you meet this day—
neighbors, created in the image of God,
bearers of God’s light,
sacred companions on this holy journey.
Daily Prayer for Spring Forest Rule of Life
May our lives be a prayer
May God work through our prayers
May our work be an answer
to God’s will working through us
May we rest in God’s love
May God’s rest feed our souls
May our table be open
May we welcome friends and foes
May the poor be our neighbors
May our neighbors be blessed. Amen.
Daily Lectionary Readings: Psalm 138; 1 Samuel 6:1-18; Luke 8:4-15; Psalm 130; Genesis 2:4b-14
Go in Peace.
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