Day 188 | Wednesday, 23 September 2020

Day 188 - Audio Version

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Day 188, September 23, 2020
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This is the first full day of fall.  Noon prayer time.

 A Beginning: “Now is the moment of grace.  This is a day of blessing.  Today is the day of salvation.  Here is the path to new life.  Already joy is abounding, and love is flowing.  For this is the day God is making.  Let us rejoice in it.”

 An Invocation:
“O Lord God, you fill heaven and earth with your presence, and your eyes have watched over all from the foundation of the earth.  We have heard the distant sound of your voice in prophets and apostles from long ago.  But we are hard of hearing, so hard of hearing.  Our eyes are dim and cannot see.  Come nearer, Lord, and touch us with your presence.  Lay your hand upon our hearts to bring forth your praise.  Amen.”

 A Litany for the Earth:

“For the beauty of the earth, brilliant in design, exquisite in detail,

We thank you, great Creator.

For the reliable patterns of sun and shadow, warmth and cold,

We praise you for the cycles that sustain life.

For the wonder of birth and the reverent return of all things to the earth,

We wonder at the mystery and majesty of your ways.

For the blossoming abundance by which we are fed, clothed and sheltered,

Accept our grateful hearts.

For sparkling waters and refreshing rain,

We bless you and rejoice.

For places of wildness and solitude that restore our souls,

We thank you with all our heart and strength.

For challenging heights, hidden depths and mysteries that motivates us to search and to stretch our abilities.

We thank you with all our wit and wisdom.

For pure light, clear colors, striking contrasts,

We thank you with joy in our eyes.

For all beckoning paths and the hope of tomorrow,

We thank you and praise you, now and forever, Amen.”

 A Prayer of Devotion to God
Lord, we often walk either carelessly or with too much care, through our daily duties and diversions, so that we lose sight of the path you have set before us that leads straight to you.  As your Son said to Martha, who was occupied in so many things, ‘one thing is needful.’  Help us to remember our true calling, to serve and glorify you.  You call us to come apart and rest awhile, to sit at your feet in quietness.  We think now of the one commandment that you called the greatest, that we should love God with all our heats, minds and strength.  With our whole beings, and with everything that is in us, let us praise your holy name,  As Mary Magdalene poured upon your head that sweet perfume of devotion, so let us pour upon you the essence of our devotion, to the glory of your name.  Amen.”

 A Blessing: “May your day know God’s surprising grace, Christ’s incredible peace, and the Spirit’s unquenchable joy.”