|
Earth Day Prayer
April 22, 2021 Beloved Creator, Heartbeat of Life, Ground of our being - On this day set apart to honour Earth, open our ears to hear the cries of our neighbours in the community of creation. The wetlands are groaning under the pressures of development - Are we listening? The forests are groaning from the introduction of invasive species - Are we listening? The lakes are groaning from chemical runoff - Are we listening? The hills are groaning from the removal of their ancient trees - Are we listening? Open our ears to heed the cries of Earth and our fellow creatures. Open our eyes to the wonder and beauty of this most amazing universe. Open our hearts to love the world as You love. Open our minds to imagine a reciprocal future, where we give back as much as we take. Open our lives to new ways of being earthkeepers, companions, advocates, and champions of justice and mercy for all beings. Amen. - Wendy Janzen, 2021
0 Comments
Prayer for Easter Sunday 2021
I awaken from sleep to a day of celebration. In the pre-dawn birds are singing and so is my spirit. Buds are swelling, and so is my heart. Roots are deepening, and so is my faith. Flowers are blossoming, And so is my joy. The sun is rising, and so is my hope. Wild Christ, alive among us, on this resurrection day may we follow the lead of all creation in praise and celebration. May we, too, trust in the promise of new life. May we, too, live each day fully, our lives a testament to your Presence shining in the world. Amen. - Wendy Janzen God of all creatures,
today we praise you for groundhogs, unassuming rodents who carry the tradition and mystery of forecasting spring. From their elaborate burrows they rise, half dead: groggy from hibernation, hungry, alone, stressed; awakened by an inner clock synchronized with the rhythms of the seasons that tells them it is time to explore and prepare for the next generation. We pray for all creatures who count the days until the weather changes, until winter loosens its grip, until they can reconnect with others. We pray for all who are tired, who are hungry or dissatisfied, who are lonely or isolated. In this time between solstice and equinox reassure us that sooner or later spring will come. Grant us patience to see the gifts of this particular time, and to savour the stillness. In our exhaustion release us from stress so that we might find rest. In moments of hunger or dissatisfaction remind us that there is enough. In our isolation be a comforting presence. We pray that whether the sun shines or the sky is grey, we will count each day as a gift with moments of wonder. Let hope rise up in us, as we align our bodies and spirits to your greater purposes beyond what we see this day. Amen. - Wendy Janzen O God:
Bearer of mystery, Lover of life, Presence born of Earth and Spirit; In these short days and long nights of the New Year we cautiously seek signs of hope despite the unmooring we've experienced in the past days and months. As we venture tentatively forward, guide us with your gentle hand. In our uncertainty, be our grounding. When we are overwhelmed, let us find solace in the cycles of creation and the seasons. Remind us that winter is always followed by spring, and death is followed by new life. Help us to see you in the everyday beauty of sunshine, kindness, and compassion. Expand our vision and our hearts. Amen. -Wendy Janzen First published in The Unmooring journal. Holy Radiance,
Your light reflects glory, inspires grace. Shimmering, revealing, holding nothing back, guiding forth, bold and brave to ignite hope for what lies ahead; to love everything without condition; to embrace all the Earth with compassion. Sacred Light, Illuminate us. Amen - Wendy Janzen Mother Earth,
You are our home Nest, burrow, hollow log, web, reef, den... Condo, farmhouse, shack, mcmansion... You shelter us, Water us, Provide for us, Sustain us, and Hold us in your care. May we, in loving turn, Hold you and touch you with tenderness. May we tread lightly, Respectfully, With awe. We celebrate and give thanks, We lament and ask forgiveness. We rise up as actors and advocates Voices for the voiceless, As homes and habitats sit on the brink, As temperature rises, And plastic chokes. You are our one precious home. Help us clean up our act. Amen - Wendy Janzen Written for World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, September 1, which kicks of the Season of Creation for many liturgical churches around the world. few evening prayers, some used at our August sunset service, another inspired by an evening walk through my local cemetery.
O Gracious Giver of the Day, Like the earth circling the sun, Blessings have circled our day. Our eyes scan the horizons Of your goodness. Standing tall with thanksgiving We praise you with grateful hearts. O Mystery within Mystery, Touch the paradoxes of this day With your healing breath. Let your mantle of peace Clothe us in this evening hour... All shall be well; all shall be well. Amen. - Macrina Wiederkehr, excerpts Sunset Prayer I’ll let you in on a secret About how one should pray The sunset prayer. It’s a juicy bit of praying, Like strolling on grass, Nobody’s chasing you, Nobody hurries you. You walk toward your Creator With gifts in pure, empty hands. The words are golden, Their meaning is transparent, It’s as though you’re saying them For the first time. The day is departing with a quiet kiss. It lies open at your feet While you stand saying the blessings. You can’t create anything yourself, But you can lead the day to its end And see clearly the smile Of its going down. - Jacob Glatstein, excerpts In the great lights of the night sky And its unbounded stretches of space We glimpse the shinings of your presence, O God. In the universe of our soul And its boundless depths We look for emanations of your light. Bless us this night And enfold us in your darkness. Amen. - John Philip Newell, adapted I move with expectation Into the dusk Longing to see the foxes Who have been spotted Playing among gravestones. The western sky Glows faint pink as Darkness descends. Moon rises through trees Bats loop erratically overhead Cicadas and crickets sing Their breathless song. This is evening prayer To the great Oneness: Here, present, incarnate. Connecting, Reaching out, Paying attention, Belonging, Lamenting and Celebrating It all. - Wendy Janzen Spirit of fullness,
On this Pentecost morning Filled with miracles Of wind, flame and Spirit, Animate us. Enliven us. Transform us. Comfort us, And lead us from our fears And our fears for the world, That we might rise with Hope, Joy, Wonder, And amazement On this expansive New day. Amen. - Wendy Janzen You are a conversation between heaven and earth, soil and sky. A sacred reciprocity living in each cell, and stretching beyond yourself to a world equally alive. You eat, and are eaten. You breathe, and are breathed. You touch, and are touched. You see, and are seen. You bless, and are blessed: Share the sacred gift of your being as you receive the gifts of life. - Wendy Janzen O Great Love, Divine Presence, We rejoice in Our Mother Earth, Who births us, Nurtures us, Sustains us, And collects us Back into her bosom When our life Is done. Forgive us for our Greediness, our Selfishness, our Short-sightedness, our Messiness. For we have made a Mess beyond measure. Let the energy of The sunrise, The mystery of A butterfly, The beauty of Spring flowers, The fragility of Endangered species, The toxicity of Polluted waterways, The barrenness of Scorched earth Bring us to our knees. And there, on Our knees, May we be humbled To see the earth With new eyes. May we be humbled To see ourselves As humus. May we be humbled To recognize we Are but part of a Intricate web of creation, A sacred reciprocity Of belonging. Break open Our hearts To love as you love. Amen. ~ Wendy Janzen |
AuthorReflections, poetry, prayers, photos, and resources written by Wendy Janzen unless otherwise noted. Archives
October 2024
categories
All
|
RSS Feed