Tag: Open

Open ending


 
 

This final post for 2023 has an intriguing title, something to chew on, and features a prayer of reflection by Tim Watson for the end of a day … or year …

 

Reflection at the end of a day

 
In the silence
we hold before God the day now passing into history
and we give thanks

silence

Lord, for this day
we give you thanks.
Lord, for the moments when we encountered grace and beauty
we give you thanks.
Lord, for conversations that have made an impact on our lives
we give you thanks.
Lord, for the times when we have seen you at work
we give you thanks.
 
In the silence we hold before God the hurts of the past day

silence

Lord, we remember the times
when we have not shown love
through our thoughts, words and actions.
We seek forgiveness.
Lord, we remember the times
when we have been hurt by the words and actions of others.
Help us to forgive.
Lord, we remember the times
when we have been distracted from seeking after you.
Lord, make yourself known to us,
help us to see you
in the midst of the noise and clamour of this world
 
In the silence we hold before God tomorrow
and the opportunities it bears

silence

Lord, we pray that your Holy Spirit would guide us
into the ways of righteousness
that you would give us strength for the journey.
Lord, you know the shape of our lives at this time,
you know the delights we enjoy and the pressures we endure.
Guide us and give us wisdom to know your will,
strengthen our resolve to discern your call.
Lord, make yourself known to us in the daily pattern of our lives.
Help us to see the fruit borne out of small actions.
Lord, help us to live faithfully amidst uncertainty.
Fortify us to be followers in your Way.
Lord, help us to not live as autonomous units,
but as fellow travellers on a journey.
Lord, build up the community of which we are part,
and shape it around the cross of your Son Jesus Christ.
Lord, as we sleep tonight,
may we rest in the knowledge of your relentless love.
When we wake tomorrow,
may we be prepared for all that lies ahead.
 

~ written by Tim Watson, posted on Lighting Beacons Liturgy.

From the blog
Pause for breath …
3 Prayers for endings and beginnings
People of the way
 

Open gates

 
David Adam writes,
 
“Every now and again ‘our eyes are opened’ and we see beyond the narrowness of our day-to-day vision. This was expressed by Jacob when he awoke out of sleep, a sleep he felt he had been in all his life up to that point: ‘Jacob awoke out of sleep and said, “How aweful is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!”‘ (Genesis 28:16-17). Jacob had not been looking for his experience, it had suddenly opened before him. I believe that such experiences are offered to all of us at one time or another in our lives. But we in our turn have to be open enough to receive them. … If we face the unfamiliar it may open all sorts of gates for us.”
 
from The Open Gate: Celtic Prayers for Growing Spiritually
by David Adam, p.2
 

Prayer

O Lord,
    Open our eyes to your Presence
    Open our minds to your grace
    Open our lips to your praises
    Open our hearts to your love
    Open our lives to your healing
    And be found among us.

 
by David Adam,
from The Book of a Thousand Prayers by Angela Ashwin, #15
 

From the blog
Turn to the light
Holy moment beneath the stars
Slow learners and bright ideas
 

Open confession


 

Advent Confession

inspired by Isaiah 61: 1-4, 8-11

Holy God,
open our eyes to the presence of your Spirit
upon us, within us, among us.

For our apathy in the presence of oppression,
Forgive us.

If we have contributed to the brokenheartedness of anyone,
Forgive us.

For our participation in systems that enslave,
Forgive us.

When we are deaf to your good news,
Have mercy and open our ears.

When our mouths remain too tightly closed,
Loosen our lips with songs of praise.

Hear our prayer, O God, and forgive our sins.
Hold us in your mercy, now and forever. Amen.

 
~ author unknown, posted on re:worship

From the blog
Theme: God makes all things new  [prayer sheet]
3 Prayers for Advent
Hard of hearing
 

Open to wonder


View of the Depot from the Chabot Museum, Rotterdam

 

Open my eyes that I may see
  wonderful things in your law.

 

 

Prayer

Father, we praise you for the gift of words:
the words we hear and read,
the words we speak and write.
As we handle and use the Holy Scriptures,
make us more sensitive to what they say,
more appreciative of the life and truth in these pages,
and of the love and courage of those who wrote them;
and open our ears to your voice,
and our lives to yourself,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 
Source unknown,
from The Book of a Thousand Prayers by Angela Ashwin, #170
 

From the blog
Word study: Shema
Treasure for our times
Circle me, Lord