OPENING PRAYER
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me. Bless his holy name! Psalm 103:1-2
THE REFRAIN
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8 ESV
THE WORD OF GOD/A READING
Psalm 104:24-35 Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill
O You, who know all hearts, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom You have created them all;
The earth is filled with your creatures.
We look to the seas, great and wide, which teem with life innumerable, helping to maintain the balance.
O, that we might receive your gifts, taking only what is needed with grateful hearts.
All of creation looks to You, to give them food in due season.
When we are in harmony with You, the earth provides; yes, a bountiful harvest to be shared with all.
When we misuse what You have created for us, we blame You for the famine and destruction that ensues, and feel alienated from You.
Even so, You continue to send forth your Spirit, and the earth, though not without turmoil, is renewed.
The glory of the Radiant One endures forever, for the works of Love are sure.
You are ever-present to us, even as the earth trembles, even as the mountains spew forth ashes and smoke!
I will abandon myself into your hands as long as I live;
I will sing praise to You while I have breath.
May my meditations be pleasing to You, for I rejoice and am glad in You.
May all who feel separated from You open their hearts to new Life!
Praise the Creator of the Universe!
Bless the Heart of my heart, O my soul! Amen.
THE REFRAIN
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. Psalm 103:8 ESV
PRAYER
[Lord, you are with me.]
I welcome your godly holiness upon earth.
I welcome your complete humanness upon my life world.
I welcome you, yourself, into my life and self.
I thank you that I may embrace humanity and find myself embracing you.
-Ignatian Exercises prayer
CONCLUSION
The Collect of the Day (BCP, p 89)
Heavenly Father, send your Holy Spirit into our hearts, to direct and rule us according to your will, to comfort us in all our afflictions, to defend us from all error, and to lead us into the truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.