Thursday, July 30, 2009

spirit of love

Spirit of Love, the same spirit we feel in our hearts, that draws us toward other people in friendship and community; the spirit that awakens our sympathies when we encounter the suffering of any creature, the spirit that calls us to acts of compassion and justice-making.

We feel your presence, here in this room this morning. The touch of your spirit is as warm as the summer air, as gentle as a cool breeze, as refreshing as the welcome greeting from a friend, as healing as a caring word.

We pray this morning for ourselves: for our own fears and for our hopes.
We pray this morning for our friends: that they might achieve the happiness they seek.
We pray this morning for our church: that more of our neighbors might hear our message and join us in the important work of our faith.
We pray for our city: that it might deal justly with all our citizens, and care for the land we inhabit.
We pray for our state: that it may fulfill its mission of caring for the least among us.
We pray for our country: for healthcare for all, for world leadership on climate change, for courage to create a new economy based on sustainability, for peace among the nations.

In all your holy names, we pray.

Amen.