|
Dear Covenant Family,
I stopped by the orchid show at the Cleveland Botanical Garden recently and it lifted my spirits to see the colorful flowers on display while it is still winter in Cleveland. I learned that white orchids are particularly attractive to moths at night, who are drawn by their brightness and fragrance. It reminded me of the story of Nicodemus (John 3:1-17), who approached Jesus in the shadows of the night with questions of faith, drawn by the miracles he had heard and seen, the fragrance of holiness. I used the phrase “faith seeking understanding” to denote an approach to God that includes wonder, curiosity, and even doubt. Blessed are the curious, who can be truly born again.
We also heard Psalm 121 spoken and sung, which is a traditional pilgrimage song for ancient Israel as well as a cherished prayer for today’s journeys. We shared communion together and the joy of a baptism, reminding us all that we are beloved by God. Here are a few prayers for morning and evening which can help ground us in faith seeking understanding at the beginning and ending of each day.
Household Prayer: Morning
Loving God, you have given me the gift of this new day,
and you send me out to live it fully and well.
Help me to be attentive to your direction and leading.
If you should call me to go in some direction,
give me courage to try this new thing.
If you present me with a mysterious truth or grace,
help me to understand, or to seek understanding,
with a sense of wonder and faith.
Whatever this day may hold,
I trust that you will keep me in all my comings and goings.
In your Son’s name, I pray. Amen.
Household Prayer: Evening
Gracious God, as the evening comes and the light fades,
I look for you even in the shadows.
Your love and protection stay with me through the night hours,
and I rest in your promises.
For the day as it has been, I give you thanks.
For the gift of rest, I offer a hymn of praise.
You love me and the whole world so greatly that you offer us salvation.
After a night of rest, bring me into the light of a new day.
In gratitude, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
I hope to see you Sunday in worship, don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead by an hour!
| 
