OPENING PRAYER
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Phillipians 1:2
THE REFRAIN
My grace is sufficient for thee: For my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9a
THE WORD OF GOD/A READING
Psalm 69 Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill
Come to my aid, O Beloved!
For my fears threaten to drown me.
I sink in the mire of confusion, where there is no foothold; I have entered deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.
I am exhausted from weeping; I thirst as in a desert.
I no longer see the path while waiting for your return.
More in number than the hairs of my head are the fears that I carry; So mighty are they, the walls that I built can no longer withstand them.
What must I do, O Merciful One, to be at peace once again?
O, Life of my life, You know my pretenses, the wrongs I have done are not hidden from You.
Let those who search for You not use me as a guide, O Heart of all hearts; Let those who seek to do your Will abandon themselves into your keeping, O Loving Counselor.
For in turning from You have I borne the consequences, so that doubt and loneliness now companion me. I have become as a stranger in my own home, an alien to my inner being.
O, that zeal for your Word might consume me, that persecutions assailing me might be for your sake.
Let me humble my soul with mind-fasting; O Beloved, create within me a clean heart!
Let me live simply, sharing what I have with those in need, that the abundance of your creation might be reflected!
Let me speak out of the Silence, that through the words given, others will praise your Name!
Come to my aid, Gentle Healer, for my prayer is to You.
In your perfect timing, Beloved, in the abundance of your Love, answer my cry.
With your strength, O Rock, lift me up, let me not sink in the mire; Let me be delivered from my fears as from deep waters.
Let not the flood sweep over me, or the deep swallow me up, or the abyss overwhelm me.
Answer me, O Beloved, for I know of your compassion; in your abundant mercy, turn toward me.
Do not hide yourself from your wayward child.
Draw near to me as in days gone by, redeem me, set me free from my fears as I repent of my erring ways.
For You know how I have strayed, You know my guilt and my regret; my fears also are known to You.
How small I feel when I turn to You.
You who were insulted and spit upon, whose Heart was pierced with no one to comfort You.
They gave you no food of understanding, and for your thirst, they gave You vinegar to drink.
Let me come once again to your Table, Beloved, forgive all that separates me from You, that I might be made whole.
Let me see with the heart’s eye; let me hear through the heart’s ear.
Give me the sensitivity to hear your Word, and the courage to speak it.
May my home become a house of prayer, that others might come to bask in your Presence.
May those who have been oppressed and persecuted come and find safety and solace within its doors.
Increase my faith as You draw near, Loving Companion Presence.
May many come to know You within their hearts!
Surprise them with the Spirit of Joy, that they might be glad and rejoice!
Take heed of my afflictions and pain; let your saving grace, O Beloved, set me on high!
I will praise your Name with son; I will magnify You with thanksgiving.
For I know this pleases You more than complaints, or false promises made under duress.
Let the oppressed see and be glad; you who seek the Beloved, let your hearts be renewed.
For the Heart of all hearts hears those in need, and pours out Compassion to those in bondage.
Let heaven and earth praise the Creator, the seas and all that dwell therein.
For in the Most High lies our salvation, the healing of the nations; And we, the people of the Eternal One, are invited, we are called, to co-creation, to co-operation; thus will future generations inherit the planet renewed, and those who live the way of Love shall dwell with Love forever. Amen.
THE REFRAIN
My grace is sufficient for thee: For my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9a
PRAYER
Lord give me the strength to care well for my baby this evening and into the night. I ask you for peace and calm, for me and my little one. Help me be creative in the ways that I’m mothering. Help me not give in to feeling inadequate or unprepared as a mom. Help me know how deeply loved I am even as I love him. Give me patience and strength. Give me resiliency. Give me rest. Fill our home with peace. Fill our home with love. Amen. – Rachel
CONCLUSION
The Early Evening Collect (BCP, p 120)
Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.