A Prayer of Trust

 Just a simple prayer of trust based on Psalm 46.

O God our refuge and strength,

We need you.

When the mountain that we have built our lives upon

Crumbles

We need you.

 

When the seas that once stretched out far and wide

Begin to foam and swirl tightly around us

We need you.

 

Life has felt like a crumbling mountain 

Under our feet.

A seasick sea foaming at the mouth.

 

But, like the Psalmist writes,

There is a river.

There is a river.

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God.”

 

And on that river

We know that you carry us.

We see your reflection in the soft water

And we trust.

 

We trust in your goodness

We trust in the fullness of your love.

And we strive to be still and know.

Know that you are God. 

And we are not.

 

Though the mountains crumble and the sea shakes,

Though the nations fuss and fight,

You, O God, are in the dawn. 

You make all things right.

 

Amen.

Ash Wednesday Prayer

 I've been silent on here for a really long time.  I've let all the challenges of pandemic life come over me and, in some ways, I've surrendered my writing to my stresses, worries, and fears.  I am not completely proud of that fact. 

Several years ago, I challenged myself to write a prayer for every day in Lent.  And today I thought - well, why not?  I don't know how faithful I can be to this in 2021, but I am hopeful that the "dry bones" within me might wake up a bit if I but try.

As I prepare to gather virtually with my congregation for tonight's Ash Wednesday service, I can't help but reflect upon this day and past services, as Ash Wednesday is one of my favorite worship experiences.  One of the things I like the most about Ash Wednesday is the way the ashes get under my fingernails.  It reminds me that even though our Lenten journeys are often individual treks, and though our bodies are individual bodies that one day will die, we are still connected to one other. As the ash for each person I have the honor to mark leaves traces under my fingernails, I am reminded of the great body of Christ that I get to travel this road with.

This prayer is based on the dry bones story of Ezekiel, chapter 37, verses 1-3.

Yesterday bleeds into today.

Last Lent bleeds into this Lent.

And I fall to my knees.

And humbly ask, O Lord,

Help me.  Help us.

Breathe into us 

And awaken the dead places of our spirits

To sing again for Spring.

To sing again for Life.

To sing again for You.

 

May the ash under my fingernails

Leave traces upon my heart.

Amen.