Awesome and disturbing God, you breathed life into us, and each day you fill us with the power of your Spirit. We are given your courage and yet act with caution and timidity. We know your intentions for justice, yet too often keep silent or yield to the complexity of issues and do nothing. We are overwhelmed with your love, yet are hesitant to mention your name to another. We have been forgiven much, yet we harbor old resentments, hold on to past hurts and turn away from reconciliation.

Wondrous God, restore us to clear thinking, give us compassionate hearts, and lead us to bold actions. Let your forgiving love cleanse fear and timidity for us. Set us on your path with your Spirit in our minds. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

 Wondrous God, forever seeking us, willingly forgiving us, we should be amzed at your grace. Yet how often we ignore your presence. We focus on keeping life in control, in balance, and get angry at the interruptions, the problems that ruin our plans, mess up our days. We never entertain the thought that you may be speaking to us in the turmoil, in the messiness of life. We are so bent on our desires and our plans that we squeeze you out.

Holy God, you are there in all the circumstances of life. Open our eyes; help us come to our senses and trust your guiding hand. Amen.

  God of all people, you have placed us in a world of relationships where we weave in and out of daily contact with those around us. Yet how often we end up frayed and unraveled and others end up torn and tattered. We slip from our good intentions and too easily throw the stinging word or go along with the belittling joke. We bruise the ones we love, cling to our own hurts and stumble over forgiveness.

God of all people and every relationship, weave your will into all the patterns of our relating.. Let our words be graced with respect and be abundant in affirmation. Give us an unhurried way with each other and grant us the courage to say, "I'm sorry. I forgive you. I love you." In the name of the Redeemer of every relationship, Jesus Christ, our Companion and Savior. Amen.

Prayer by Winnie Sandel

Father in Heaven, we praise You for Your love, Your mercy and Your grace. You are the great provider and we stand in awe of You. We sing praises to Your name when we remember your promises that are ours in You. We are thankful for the gift of spending time with You in prayer, and for the scriptures that tell the stories of Your people. Lord, as we talk with You through prayer, may our relationship with God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit grow stronger as we walk in Your light. We pray in Jesus name, Amen!

 Moments of Meditation by Winnie Sandel here and in the Newsletters.