FIRST LILACS OF 09

Thank you, Lord, for the smell of new Spring and the flowers that appear each in their own turn. Today I bless the luxurious lilacs which scent my garden - their color and extravagant beauty fill me with hope and reassurance that Spring comes again and again. We are new and the same in the flowers. Thank you for this blessed Lent of self-examination and springing hope for new life in your son our brother, Jesus, as we look beyond the grave with love. Amen.

It helps, now and then, to step backand take the long view.The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts,it is beyond our vision. We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction ofthe magnificent enterprise that is God's work.Nothing we do is complete,which is another way of sayingthat the kingdom always lies beyond us. No statement says all that could be said.No prayer fully expresses our faith.No confession brings perfection.No pastoral visit brings wholeness.No programme accomplishes the church's mission.No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about:We plant seeds that one day will grow.We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise.We lay foundations that will need further development.We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities. We cannot do everythingand there is a sense of liberation in realizing that.This enables us to do something,and to do it very well.It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way,an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest. We may never see the end results,but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker.We are workers, not master builders,ministers, not messiahs.We are prophets of a future not our own.
—A prayer/poem by Archbishop Oscar Romero

The Power of Water

God of Heaven and Sky, Earth and Water - Bless our depths that we have not plumbed and our deeps that are known only to You. Show us the beauties that we might not have imagined and help us to keep the whole world safe and healthy which you have given us as a miracle of love and presence. Comfort the family members and friends of the football players who were lost at sea. Help us all learn to respect the power of water in it's natural state so that we may learn to use all of your resources for the good of all people. Thank you for surrounding us in water at birth, at baptism, and in our living every day. May water remind us that you are everywhere always. Amen.

Double Rainbow over Highway 37 at dusk...

Dear Lord, In this time of national and worldly crisis it is Lent. I have no choice but to examine my own sins and failures, fears and terrors. I offer my own sadness, grief and suffering to you in the deep hope that you will change me in the way best to guide me in doing your will. Thank you for the beautiful world we live in, which you love and gave to us as your gift. Help us to protect and love the world as you do. Thank you for your angels who keep me going and help me to be an angel to others. Bless us in this season of Lent as we seek to know you more and live in deeper relationship with you on the Way. In Jesus name amen.

Your Grace is Sufficient for me.

Dear Lord I pray for deeper understanding of the work and role you have given me in this world. I ask for sufficient grace to do your will and compassion to share with the people I meet on the Way. On my own I make a mess of things and with your love I can do the good you need me to do. Please bless my hands, heart, head and tongue (!) and give me words to help and heal. In Jesus name and for his sake, Amen.

Strength from Weakness and Failure

Dearest Lord Jesus, give me the courage to be real about the good and not-so-good within me. Help me learn and grow from my mistakes and damage. Give me courage to keep moving forward in the hope that my efforts and desires are in your service and may be useful to others in the world of hurt we live in now. Forgive me for the hurt I have created and all damage that has been done on my behalf. Let me take my strength from those around me who care enough to help. I pray that I may find joy and love at the core of my being with You. In your name I pray. Amen


"Courage allows the successful woman to fail — and to learn powerful lessons from the failure — so that in the end, she didn't fail at all."
—Maya Angelou

All You Need Is Love...

Dear Lord,

Give me the love to bring you close to those who fear the future. Give me the love to break down barriers of tradition and attitude of scarcity. Help me find the love I need to move forward with grace and hope. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.