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dreamprayact

~ Reflections of a preacher, poet, and contemplative activist

dreamprayact

Tag Archives: newness

Let us not grow weary

10 Thursday Nov 2016

Posted by mark lloyd richardson in Justice, Peace with justice, Prayers

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

better angels, faith as a mustard seed, God's promise, grace, hope, justice, Listening, newness, peace, prayer, reconciliation, welcome

flame

When our days feel precarious,
and our hearts are worn down
with the fatigue of worry,
the unsettledness of concern,
your promise, O God, remains with us.
Indeed it resides within us,
burning at the center of our beings,
a flame of hope that will not be extinguished.

You are always leading us into the new.
You are continually remaking us
into a people formed in your love.
You invite us each morning to yield our hearts
to the work of justice, peace, and reconciliation.
In all times, you call forth our better angels.

Give us, we pray, the grace we need for this day
as we rise to meet the challenges before us.
May we live today from our deepest humanity,
granting to a neighbor the gift of humble listening,
extending to a stranger a smile of recognition,
offering to the other a gesture of welcome,
being gentle with ourselves and those near to us.

The little things are the big things in your realm.
The least are not forgotten,
the last become first,
the lost are surely found.
So help us believe that even the mustard seed
of our small faith makes a difference.
Let us not grow weary in doing good.
Let us rise to meet this day knowing
that your promise remains with us and within us,
indeed it burns with a hope that will not go out.

In your holy love we pray. Amen.

(c) 2016 Mark Lloyd Richardson

Newness

01 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by mark lloyd richardson in Prayers

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

beauty of creation, compassion, creative presence, goodwill, kindness, New Year, newness, peace, prayer, spiritual wholeness

Douglas Family Preserve, Santa Barbara, CA

Douglas Family Preserve, Santa Barbara, CA

Create in us, dear God,
minds that appreciate truth wherever it is found,
hearts that revel in the beauty of this world,
spirits that sing of peace and goodwill for all.

Challenge us to see the problems of our day
and not be overcome by them.

Encourage us to begin one new endeavor,
open one new chapter,
relate to one new person,
learn one new skill,
trust one new intuition,
bless one new relationship,
with our whole selves.

We may not solve the world’s problems,
but we will become part of the answer.

We will be compassionate.
We will be kind.
We will be open.
We will be your children
with and for one another.

Words (c)2015 Mark Lloyd Richardson

Kneeling in Adoration

06 Friday Jan 2012

Posted by mark lloyd richardson in Uncategorized

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

adoration, beauty, Epiphany, God's grace, holy love, newness, truth, wise men

Epiphany is an annual Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles – who are represented by the Magi or wise men from the East (see Matthew 2:1-12). I’ve written a few brief reflections below on the meaning of this day.

Epiphany

To see with new eyes illumined by truth,
To drink in moments of divine surprise,
To discover joy in life’s brave search,
be it for love, beauty, or newness,
To accept this one startling life as sacred gift,
To bring whatever treasures one possesses,
humble as they are,
and lay them before the newborn Messiah.

This Epiphany…
Will you kneel down in adoration with the wise ones?
Will you bow before the angel-announced Child?
Will you see in his countenance God’s infinite grace?
Will you dream a world invaded by Holy Love?
Will you dare to be changed?

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