Prayer of a pastor

Almighty God,
I am learning so very much.  You reveal your presence daily.  And yet, fear can grip me.  There is so much newness and just when I think I know what I am doing, or where you are calling,  I am hit again.  I pray Lord, that you will guide me and I will listen.  I pray the Holy Spirit will embrace us all.  Give all people the words to speak and communicate their feelings, needs, worries, and expectations.  Give us all empathy and understanding as we hear, grace to receive, and strength to move forward.  Sustain me Lord, for this journey.  In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.          

Prayer for Transition

Lord, there is so much happening now.
Let me see you and know you and be aware that you are with me in my every moment, through every decision, and in all my interactions.

You Lord, Have made me.
Your Daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, a pastor.
There are preschool graduations, teacher goodbyes, birthday parties,
funerals, goodbye parties, tears, (waterproof mascara), stories, laughter, songs,
visits, communion, worship, hugs, preaching, bible study, pot lucks, and boxes,
 lots of boxes in our lives now. 

Give me energy Lord, to say goodbye and to meet new people.
In my sadness, let me remember the joys.
In my nervousness for what is new, let me know you are guiding me.
In my excitement let me smile at the joy and possibilities of what is new.
When I hear discouragement, let me lay it at your feet.
When I begin to think, "what if" stop me.
When I worry too much what others may think, let me focus fully on you and the call you have placed in me.
My confidence is in you, my trust is in you Lord, and the strength of my joy is in you.
I will not fear what I do not know, for you Lord are with me.

I pray Lord for my church I am leaving.
May they feel my love for them always.
May they be held in your love which holds us all.  
Heal us and comfort us in our griefs.
Hold us in newness, change, worry, fear, uncertainty. 
May they be open to receiving the new pastor with all the love with which they received me.
You have guided this Lord.
Let us trust.

I pray for the new pastor coming.
You have called, equipped, and prepared her.
Fill her with excitement and joy.
This church is amazing and filled with people of deep faith and love.
She will be a blessing to them.
Lay your hand upon her give her courage, joy, and strength in knowing you are guiding her.
May she find a home here as I have.
May she grow in her call as I have.
May she love these people and feel their love as I have.
Thank you for her and her call.
 
I pray for the pastor of the church where I am going.
Let her grieve with her congregation in the goodbyes.
Let tears be turned to joy for new beginnings.
May this new call for her be filled with joy, learning, and love.
May her call feel renewed and energized.
Fill her with energy in this transition to continue the work of pastoring while preparing to move.
Let her feel your hand on her guiding her in every moment. 

I pray for the church I am going.
Comfort them in all grief they have in this transition.
Wash them in the power of your Holy Spirit,
may excitement, renewal, and new energy come alive.
I pray they will be excited to meet my family.
I pray for the neighborhood, schools, and our new home.
May you prepare the hearts of the congregation and community to love our family. 
May they see me as you see me.
I already love them, Lord.

I pray that your prevenient grace with fall upon us all.
I pray we will see the best, the truest, of one another.
Let us love one another Lord.
Let us see, Lord.
Let us hear, Lord.
Let us listen to the stories of Who we are
and trust together in Whose we are. 
Let us see what and where and how you call us to be church.
Ignite us  all to see possibilities. 

Let all of us, in all places, in any and all transitions and moves and changes, let us together as sisters and brothers think on about these things: whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8) 


I pray in the name of God who calls, equips, prepares, sends, and guides,
Amen.

One of my Favorite Prayers

Last week was a huge week- I guest preached for a friend on the 15th- I worked on the Women's Retreat, I had two funerals, I prepared for the Open House where we invited all the church to come!

 

 I had a horrible asthma attach last Wednesday night and ever since- struggled with breathing and with having a voice.  Went to Dr today- bronchitis ugh! Chest X-ray tomorrow...

Throughout the week everything went together so well.

Today I noticed that there was a typo in our favor we gave out to everyone who came to the Open House (it is small-- but I noticed and thought- why didn't I find this sooner?) Somehow when one thing got moved on our note-- the signature where we said "With Deepest Love and Overflowing Joy" got knocked off-- so it read, "With Deepest Love and Overflow"   Ugh-- It's silly, isn't it? but hopefully they understood the point.  :) If you're reading this and you came to the open house - you can fix your version :).

 I went to Church Council tonight and as I shared what is coming up for me in May - it just feels like the next two months are really coming down fast.  I cannot believe we are moving and I am excited and joyful and sad all at the same time.  The Open House was pretty essential for me to say thank you to our church for the joy of serving as their pastor.  It was a wonderful day!  And thankfully my voice held up - through Sunday Worship and 2 baptisms, and stopped working as I taught Sunday School.

As I prepare to move-- I think of Thomas Merton's prayer.  While I do "know" where I am going- I don't "know" how it will be-- I know God will be with me.  I know I am called there.  I know God is sending me there.  Just as God called and sent me here to Messiah 6 years ago.

I really dislike feeling less energy than normal- I really feel frustrated whenever I am ill.  I really hate asthma.  I have so much to do- and not sure how it will all get done. So this prayer is good- this prayer is what I need. 

"My Lord, My God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone."

- Thomas Merton, "Thoughts in Solitude"
© Abbey of Gethsemani

Getting Shoes On

This morning I yelled at my 5 year old for not listening and Not  getting her socks and shoes on.

 It was not my best moment.


I had asked her about five times.
 She had them in her hand and I had likely gotten distracted.
I was in a hurry.
 I wanted to get things done.

Why do I do this?  Why do I let chronos time dictate?
 Why can't I be more gentle?
Why can't I be like the moms who always speak gently, with full patience?
  Please I am hoping that even perfect moms lose it every now and then....

 I apologized.  I asked her to forgive me - that I was sorry I yelled and I needed to work on my patience and I asked her to please work on her listening.

 I'm not sure if its helpful, but I said, "Gracie, when your teachers ask you to do something, do you do it?"  Yes
So, let's do that with Mommy and Daddy too.

This morning I got the karios time right- the perfect and wonderful snuggling the whispers of I love you!

But then the rush and rush and rush, and then the thinking
- if I had gotten up earlier, if I had packed lunches last night, If I had done... all these other wonderful organized things.

It has felt like a more stressful week than usual.
I've dealt with some things and some folks that has required a little extra grace.
The week feels pretty stacked...

But I know that God is breathing in me, that God is creating in and out of the chaos, I know that all will be well.
I know that it may not be perfect.
But in the midst of it all- may God help me remember and know that
what is more important than being on time,  
more important than the house looking nice, 
more important than anything anything in the world
- is that I am gentle with my children's souls.

 I don't want them to remember me and be afraid.
I don't want them to stop listening because they tune out of someone sounding constantly demanding- pick up your toys, do this, don't do that, stop that....

I really love bathtime and bedtime-- for some reason I let go of rushing then- not always but way better.
I just BE with them.
I did have hopes of getting things done when they got to bed... but somehow my agenda didn't get in the way. 

During bathtime we sang everything- like a musical.
I made games of-- who can wash their tummies, their arms, their feet, legs, etc.
And they got it done- and we had fun.

I pray that I can be more focused on the joy of being with them,
the joy of being in the moment, 
I pray that I may delight in them.
I pray that I will not seek to make them regimented, soldier like.
I pray that they will be joyful, silly, kind, peace pulsating, children of God's kingdom.
I pray that I may be a beacon of light - that is calm, warm, peaceful, loving, affirming, encouraging.
May I be filled with the fruits of the spirit,
Love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control!
 May I embody these fruits, so that my children may know my love and know your love God. 
God, make me the kind of Mom you call me to be,
Amen.

 More on this

A Prayer for Tax Day

 

Today some may grumble… but today I am thankful.  

Lord, I am thankful for our country.  

 Especially on this day, as tax day nears, 

I am thankful for its citizens and for the part we all play to work together as one nation so that we may live in this freedom.   

Today I am grateful for programs that allow hungry children to eat, 

I am thankful for roads- for interstates , and highways, for streets and avenues.  

I am thankful for bridges and damns, and, waterways.  

I am thankful for National Parks, State Parks, Local Parks. 

I am thankful for Rangers who help protect wildlife and teach us about nature and conservation.  

I am thankful for National treasures, and historical places, and art that nurtures the soul of our nation. 

I am thankful for Police officers, Firefighters, EMTs who protect us and keep us safe. 

I am thankful for schools –for preschool for poor children,  for principals, teachers, teacher assistants, cafeteria workers, guidance counselors, social workers, janitors, volunteers and for their dedication to instill a joy of learning in our children. 

I am thankful for libraries and librarians and for books and space to learn and grow in knowledge.   

I am thankful for my mailman Matt, and for all who work at the Post Office.  

I am thankful for all who serve in the military- and their families (who equally serve) – I am thankful for them and their sacrifice to keep our country from harm.   

I am thankful for people who work in and for the government who work very hard to do things we rarely see, but because of them things run smoothly.  Many of these people are my parishioners.  They are hard workers who care about this country.  I thank God for all of these people and the work they do, I thank God for their love our nation, their integrity and their dedication.  May God continually fill them with pride for our nation and the patience and fortitude to do the work for which they have been called.  
I am thankful for those who are able to pay their taxes, and for those who are too poor to pay taxes and everyone in between,  Lord, be with all of us.  
I am thankful for those who volunteer to help others prepare taxes with the utmost honesty, giving of their time, and helping others.  

There is very little we can look at and not be thankful for. 

I am thankful for you and everyone who takes part in what it means to be One Nation and not just a collection of states.   

We are One—Yes, and we are One Nation under God and,

I thank God for our nation and I thank God for you.    

Amen.  

Joy Robber Prayer

Lord, When I feel hurt.  Let me look to you.
Hold me.
Hold me so tight that my loneliness disappears-
Hold me so tight that the dismissive words, the forsaken feelings, the isolation is gone.
Your presence is so big- it can fill any void.

I am tired and I am weary.
You are strong.

When joy feels ripped from me.
Ignite gratitude to flame in me
so that I may still see the beauty of your grace
and be flooded in joy once again.

Let me not be robbed of joy.
Let the darkness be overshadowed by your brilliant light.

I am not stronger than this.
Lord, you are.

When the joy robber comes,
Let me lean stronger into your arms.

Armor me in the kingdom way of seeing.
Turn what is ugly into beauty.


I am tired and weary.
I feel like all I can do is curl into a womb of your love.


Wash me, Hold me,
Take deep breaths in me, 
Until this is gone and I can be born into your freedom again.
Freedom to stand.
Standing strong, Beholding you.

In Awe once again.

I pray in the name of the One who has come and is here and is still coming.  Amen.

Prayer for Today

It's painful and sad how much words can hurt others. We hurt others with our thoughtlessness, we let anger rule our hearts, we allow sin and shame and the shadows of this world to chain us. Lord, have mercy. Christ have mercy. Forgive us. Heal those we have selfishly hurt. Unite us to be One in your love and grace. Christ has Risen! Amazing grace, our chains are gone! May we live this as truth! May we truly be the Body of Christ!

Prayer at the Post Office

I just came back from the Post Office.
This morning I made visits and took communion to home-bound folks.
I had some lunch.
Came back returned calls and emails.
Had a message from a couple coming for counseling needing to reschedule.
Confirmed that 6 families are participating in the Baptism Class I am teaching tonight.
And then I walked across the street to the Post Office to mail a prayer shawl to someone whose father just died.

(I'm usually horrible at mailing things-- It's something I really want to improve on).

Usually when I go to the post office, I'm worried it will feel like this:


A long line and grumpiness all around.

There was not a very long line. A had a pen and let a man borrow it.
I got my stuff together.
I saw one of my church members, Sally* whose husband died a few months ago and said hello.
A woman near me asked if I made the shawl I was sending.
I pulled it out - to reveal the label "Made by Messiah Prayer Shawl Ministry." (Messiah had given out 1040 prayer shawls to share God's love and comfort.)

I shared that this was a ministry that folks from the church did to share their love and God's comfort. "You're from the church just over there?" she pointed across the street. "Yes." She shared that a friend had given her a prayer shawl when she recently had a surgery.
"Is that a thing Methodist Churches do?" She asked.
"I know many do - but I think lots of different churches do this too."

I was called up and made my purchase. The Post Office attendant - Linda-asked if this was a gift for someone. "Someone's birthday?" No, this is for a woman whose father passed away. It is a prayer shawl. "Did you make it?" No- its a ministry of my church to tangibly feel God's comfort.
"That is really nice," Linda the attendant said.
We finished up and I said, "Thank you Linda- Have a wonderful day!"

I then went to follow up with my church member Sally and see how she was doing. She and I caught up - I learned some prayer concerns about her family and wrote them down.

Then I realized the woman I had chatted with earlier was standing and waiting for me. I looked up and Betty said goodbye. The woman- Paula was standing there with a note she had written. Betty said hello to her and then goodbye and Paul went on to share some prayer concerns for members of her family with me. We were standing just on the side out of the way.
She came to herself and asked for prayer. She had just undergone chemo for Lukemia and is remission. She just had her wisdom teeth out and was black and blue. She would soon have a bone marrow transplant. She is musician and had heard of our church's music ministry and hoped to play someday with us. I said, "Paula, would you like to pray now?" Yes she said.
And we did.
I prayed that God would continue to comfort her and wrap her in peace that passes all understanding. I prayed for continued healing and wholeness and that she would feel God's strength in her and know and feel the presence of Christ walking with her and know that Messiah UMC would hold her in prayer as well.

Amen.

I looked up and tears were welled in her eyes and mine. I invited her to church and invited her to dinner tonight and our organ concert tonight. She offered to drive me across the street to the church. I thanked her but needed the walk.

I left with her prayer concerns to add to the prayer list.
I left knowing that God was at the Post Office.
I left wondering how many times I had stood at the Post Office, the Costco, the Giant, the playground, any number of places and there had been people with heavy hearts seeking prayer.

In all of these places, in all of these lines we stand in- let us pray:

Almighty God,
I pray for the strangers around me, who are sisters and brothers in the Body of Christ.
I may not know them, but you do.
I may not know what they are worried about or joyful about.
But you do.
I may not know what feels broken right now for them, what they are searching for,
but I know that you do.
I pray Lord that they will know your love, feel your presence.
I pray that You may shine in them and through me now to offer comfort and peace.
I pray that they may experience your love and grace through a smile, a kind word, and that when we leave our brief meeting, we will be closer to knowing and seeing that You are Here.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.


I'll never forget Robert Bondi teaching me about the early church father Dortheus:

Dorotheus wrote:
“Imagine that the world is a circle, that God is the center, and that the radii are the different ways human beings live. When those who wish to come closer to God walk towards the center of the circle, they come closer to one another at the same time as to God. The closer they come to God, the closer they come to one another. And the closer they come to one another, the closer they come to God.” (Instructions VI.)

Thanks be to God for

Growing Closer to God and one another at the Post Office

*All names are changed always :)

Prayer for Bullies and those they bully

Lord, soften the hardened hearts of bullies. Tame their harsh tounges when they threaten and puff themselves up. Restrain them in their haste to tear others down. I cry out and wonder why they are the way they are? Help me Lord to be strong, make me a fortress in their assault. I do not know why they do what they do. I do not understand why others follow them. I am hurt and angry by their weapons of intimidation, fear, and manipulation. I teach my children, “Bullies have a hurt in their heart and that is why they hurt others. Maybe we can show them love. Maybe we will teach their hearts to be kind.” And yet, Lord, often” killing them with kindness”, only seems to fuel their agenda. This is too big for me. I give you the pain. I am too small to handle them. I feel too small to shine your light in their darkness. I do not feel equipped. I cannot teach their hearts to be kind. Thank you for your Son, who came for all. Your love came down on Christmas to save us all. Let the love of your Son Jesus Christ dwell in the hearts of all your children. Let bullies cease their desire for a control which creates chaos and disunity. Let your love rule over our hearts, let us let Jesus be our Lord who guides us, let your love unite us all. Amen.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, abide with us and in us.
Inspire all our thoughts, pervade our imaginations, suggest all our decisions and order all our doings.
Be with us in our silence, and in our speech.
Guide us in our haste and in our leisure, in company and in solitude.
Awaken and fill us with awareness in the freshness of the morning and in the weariness of the evening.
Give us grace at all times humbly to rejoice in your mysterious companionship. Give us courage and energy to cultivate relationships so that the isolated are invited, the wounded are welcomed, and your people made whole in your grace and salvation.
We pray in the name of Jesus our Savior who lives and reigns forever, Amen.

(Half taken from the 1945 Methodist Book of Worship)