A Prayer 

Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus
Finally, brothers and sisters,
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…
and give thanks.

What are you thankful for today?

Daniel 5:1-17; Daniel 3:62-67; Luke 21:12-10

letting go
of all that possesses us
we do not fear
and persevere
in our given faith
enduring to the end
as all that is true
blesses God
sun and moon
stars of heaven
every shower and dew
all the winds
fire and heat
cold and chill
give glory
and praise
to God

How do you give glory and praise to God?
How do you count your blessings?

Daniel 2:31-45; Daniel 3:57-61; Luke 21:5-11

Jesus says
many will come
and say
“I am he”
but do not follow
although
the earth will quake
and nation
will rise
against nation
we will stay
with His voice
of love
and for peace
enduring
to God’s end
for justice–
revealing
God’s love
of All

How will you know His voice?
Do you see justice as God’s love for All?

Luke 21:1-4

from our wealth
and poverty
we give everything
withholding
nothing
from the God
who gives us
All
knowing
that all we have
is for something
greater
than our own
a Love
a Light
for All

Do you give all of yourself to God?
What do you hold back?
Do you hear the hymn of pure love?

2 Samuel 5:1–3; Psalm 122:1–5; Col 1:12–20; Luke 23:35–43

bone of our bone
flesh of our flesh
the One who is
firstborn of all creation
moves within us—
making us new
in Him

things visible
and invisible
the thrones we fear
the dominations that crush
the principalities and powers
that haunt our world
are gathered in His arms
and reconciled

we enter the house
of the Lord
not with fear
but rejoicing—
for violence is not our story
mocking is not our truth
death is not our destiny

we are remembered
by the Crucified
whose blood carries peace
like a river through the world
through our wounds
through our days
through everything that aches
to be made whole

in this remembering
we rise
we receive
we enter paradise
even now
with Him
who holds all things together

Can you see peace flow through the cross?
Can you see your being through Him?
Can you see with His light?

1Mc 6:1-13; Psalm 9:2-6, 16,19; Luke 20: 27-40

from our grief
we cry out
and are touched
and saved
by a Love
greater
than our imaginings
a Love
that makes us
worthy
in the God
of the living
we give thanks
we give praise
we sing
a song of joy

What makes you worthy? What makes you feel you belong?

Luke 19:45-48

where
is truth
to be found
in these days
of story spinners
and money changers
cluttering
the sacred temples
of our minds
and hearts
changing
the sweetness
of God’s word
into bitter prophecy–

in the stillness
we wait
in a cloud of unknowing
our soul
begging the silence
for the voice
of Truth

Who will clear our hearts and minds and soul for Truth?
Where is Truth?

1Mc 2:15-29; Psalm 50:1-2, 5-7, 14-15; Luke 19:41-44

we are
weeping
with you
Jesus
as you look
over the city
that cannot find
its way
to peace
that does not see
the hour
of its visitation
calling harm
upon itself
with war
and division-

yet we wait
standing our ground
with you
in God’s enduring love
with songs
of praise
and hope
and faith
undiminished

Do you weep with Jesus over the city?
Do you stand in God’s love with hope and fai

2Mc 7:1,20-31; Psalm 17:1-15; Luke 19:11-28

the hidden coin
a talent
not our own
we hide
in fear of him
cruel
and unjust
knowing
he reaps
where he does not sow
knowing only
the wrath
that is to come
we stand firm
even as we fear
and proclaim
we will not trade
in his greed
and deceptions
accepting our fate
our soul is free

Do you stand firm in truth?
Do you deny the king his power?
Do you accept your fate?

2Mc6:18-31; Psalm 3: 2-3,4-5,6-7; Luke 19:1-10

lost
and afraid
we come
to meet the One
who is full
of Wisdom
and healing
for our soul
She calls us
coming into
our heart
and home
to save us
by facing
the darkness
within us
that can overtake
and destroy-
shining the Light
of Truth
of God’s
immeasurable Love

What wisdom and light has come into your darkness?