sacred gesture
I lift up my heart to you, Creator God of heaven and earth and of all seasons. In your cyclic design the earth now leans away from the fire of the sun in this season we call winter.
Although the sun's light weakens as the earth tilts away, I ask in this time alone with you that your light not lessen within me. May I, with your assistance, not turn away from the truth when it visits me, even the truth about myself. I desire rather that I turn toward the light in all I say and do, in all I think and dream. Guided by your light I now enter the cave of my heart to be alone with you in stillness.
period of silent prayer or meditation
I rejoice, O Blessed One, that you have placed within my small heart not only your divine seed but the essence of all that you have created. I now express my joy in your being, as I invest these words with love for you.
a psalm, spiritual reading or personal prayer
Today, Sunday, is a day of prayer and worship for your children who follow Christ. May my morning prayer be in harmony with all the prayers, songs and acts of devotion that rise up to you from churches and places of worship.
May I also be one with all who fail to worship you, with all who reject you and your dream because those of us who profess to be Jesus' disciples have failed to be living examples of your love and justice. Instill in me this Sunday the fiery heat of the sun- and of the Son- so that ablaze with devotion for you, I may enflesh your love and kindness in all I do and with everyone I meet on this first day of the week.
Mindful of the needs of those I love, I pause to lift up into your sacred heart the special intentions of:_______. Care for them and for all the children of this planet as it journeys through the winter of endless space.
Blessed and beautiful are you, my God.
May your light be my sun this winter day.
sacred gesture
sacred gesture
I bow before you this night, Beloved One, my heart overflowing with gratitude for all that this first day of the week has held for me. May the thanksgiving of my heart give glory to you and enrich this time of silent prayer. One with the far distant stars of the winter night sky, one with all the earth, I now enter into silence.
period of silent prayer or meditation
Holy is this night, holy is the earth and the heavens, for all is filled with your glory. May my prayer glisten with a star's brilliance as I now proclaim my love for you.
a psalm, spiritual reading or personal prayer
As I prepare for sleep, may I join the seeds of plants that sleep in the long night of winter as they await the sunrise of spring. May I let go of this day with faith, in the conviction that with unconditional love you watch over all that you have created. May I enter into sleep in a lover's surrender to your will, mindful that you embrace all living beings with a mother's love.
I lift up to you who never sleeps, the special needs of my family and friends:_______. May those who will pass this night through the doorway of death be reunited with you for whom their hearts have hungered throughout their lives.
May the hunger in my heart for goodness, for truth and for love remind me that you, and you alone, are the Feast that satisfies. As I soon will let go of this day and will surrender to sleep, may I fall asleep by falling into you.
O Guardian of galaxies,
Mother of the cosmos and
Father of stars beyond counting,
may I sleep in you tonight.
sacred gesture
