As we enter into this new week, I invite you to take a deep breath. That's right- one big breath in (hold for three seconds) and out (hold for three seconds). Maybe throw in a couple more for good measure. I know many of us are tired. Some are also joyous and/or frustrated; but, I think the majority of us are tired.
Many of us gather on Sunday mornings for worship. Last Sunday, November 1st, the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church and Washington National Cathedral hosted a "National Service for Healing and Wholeness." I found this summary of worship helpful:
"Worship lies at the heart of the life of faith. Through encountering God in worship—online and in-person— we are formed and transformed as the people of God. We give thanks, confess, lament, and share our deep hopes for the world and for ourselves, and trust that God receives and blesses that which we have offered. Worship makes a difference.
Especially today, in the midst of pandemic and racial reckoning... we acknowledge three urgent and deep needs in our national life:
• the need to Confess and reckon with the hurtful things we have done and that have been done on our behalf
• the need to Lament and grieve the wounds we and others have suffered and the lives lost to pandemic and violence
• the need to Hope and faithfully serve God’s dream for healing, wholeness, justice, and love throughout the land."
Worship models for us how we are called to live our lives. We are called to give glory to God- through prayer and petition; song and praise; confession and adoration. We come together as unique individuals who collectively gather as the Body of Christ- as a community of believers- a priesthood of all believers. We are then sent back into this world inspired, encouraged, and yes, sometimes still tired.
Yesterday at St. Paul's, we prayed the following prayers during Sunday morning worship. I invite you to pray and/or meditate on one or all of these today and throughout this week.
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The Suffrages
Save your people, Lord, and bless your inheritance; govern and uphold them, now and always. Amen.
Day by day we bless you; we praise your Name for ever. Amen.
Lord, keep us from all sin today; have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy. Amen.
Lord, show us your love and mercy; for we put our trust in you. Amen.
In you, Lord, is our hope; and we shall never hope in vain. Amen.
The Collects
For Guidance: Heavenly Father in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Times of Conflict: O God, you have bound us together in a common life. Help us in the midst of our struggles for justice and truth, to confront one another without hatred or bitterness, and to work together with mutual forbearance and respect; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the President and all in Civil Authority: O Lord, our Creator, whose glory is in all the world: We commend this nation to your merciful care. Grant to the President of the United States, the Governor of this Commonwealth, and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do you will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in your fear; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For those in the Armed Forces of our Country: Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces and all those who have served in times past. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Sick: Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those whom we name now may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
For the Departed: Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no longer, especially those we name now. Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them and, in your loving wisdom, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
