sacred gesture
How quickly, O Creator of wintry ice and snow, has this week passed. May any chill within my heart be melted by your Spirit, as a summer sun would melt a field of snow. I begin this morning prayer mindful that my life passes as quickly as the days of this winter week. This morning the temple of my body rises from sleep, seeking to enter into prayer. May I do so in communion with all who pray to you this Saturday in synagogues and who worship by study of the Torah. In that unity, I now descend into the bottomless well of your presence within the cave of my heart.
period of silent prayer or meditation
As all lovers long to sing the praises of their beloved, I desire to express my love for you. May I fill each of these words with my very self. May each letter of each word dance with devotion, so that this prayer will be pleasing to you, Yahweh, my God.
a psalm, spiritual reading or personal prayer
As this winter day begins, may I see your glory in the heavens and in all the earth. Grant, O Blessed One, that I may look with love upon every person, object and event that I will encounter this Saturday.
Long ago you called Moses to spend this day in restful pleasure in your presence. May I use whatever this day holds for me to refresh my body and rest my soul, and so give great pleasure to you. I pray for all who must work this day as well as those who have no work and must struggle for the bare essentials of life. Look with favor upon the needs of all who petition you in their need, especially:_______. May this day lead me to trust more fully in your great care for all the earth and her children. And may I grow in the capacity to care as you do.
Blessed and beautiful are you, my God.
May your light be my sun this winter day.
sacred gesture
sacred gesture
O my Beloved, your heart is wider than the whole universe whose great black starlit eye stares down on me this winter night. I bow before you, whose glory fills the heavens and all the earth. Tonight is a sacred wedding night that unites the Sabbaths of the first and second testaments and makes all peoples chosen.
As a bride and groom long for their wedding night, I long to be joined with you, as I now enter the shrine of my heart to begin my silent prayer.
period of silent prayer or meditation
Awesome and full of power are you, my God, who finds delight not in poetic words or long hours of vigil, but only in the passion of love that prompts your children to pray. May your Spirit, who prays continuously within my heart, now fan the flames of devotion into a living fire in the words of this prayer.
a psalm, spiritual reading or personal prayer
How quickly have these past seven winter days slipped a through my fingers. I pause now to recall in gratitude all the numerous gifts of this week that you have given me....
My heart overflowing with thanksgiving, I ask another gift from you. Watch over those I love, especially:_______. Smile upon all who relax and enjoy themselves on this Saturday night after a long week of work. And bless our earth and all who dwell upon it.
Tomorrow, Sunday, is the memorial of the resurrection of your Son. May my sleep this night be filled with hope in the fullness of life that has been given to me through him. And when death closes my eyes in a final sleep, may I awaken to the splendor of an eternal Sunday, my resurrection and eternal life in you.
O Guardian of galaxies
Mother of the cosmos and
Father of stars beyond counting,
may I sleep in you tonight.
sacred gesture
