Write a Prayer-a-Day Project

There is no prayer other than to say Thank You.

There is no prayer other than to say I Hurt.

There is no prayer other than to say I’m Frightened.

There is no prayer other than to say Congratulations.

There is no prayer other than to say That is Beautiful.

There is no prayer other than to say I’m Sorry.

There is no prayer other than to say I Love You.

Prayer is the authenticity we practice sharing with each other.  We are grateful for prayer.  Blessed Be, and Amen.

Prayer is the sound of the collective breath of all humanity.  It is the pulse of our synchronized beating heart.  It is the river of our shed tears.  Prayer is deafening when it is the sum of all our laughter.  It is passionate as we make love to one another.  It is sublimely melodic when we sing together.  It is intimate when we greet each other.  All day, every day, we pray.  Our prayer is whispered: I am here, and that is a mystery and a miracle, and I want to share that with you. For organic prayer we give thanks.  Blessed Be, and Amen.

May today unfold in mystery and wonder.  We never know what challenges will present themselves, or whether delight or devastation are on our path.  We do know that the way is shared, that others have gone before, and still more are following.  May we practice humility in whatever awaits.  May we be grounded in our common humanity.  May we find strength in each other.  We will find that allies are more abundant than foes, and for this we are thankful.  Blessed Be, and Amen.

Today we continue, for that is what we are called to do.  Our procession may not be particularly regal.  We may be, as the poet says, slouching towards Bethlehem.  Whatever our posture, as we greet the day, may we continue to be open to revelation and to wonder.  May we see the world with our wide and grateful eyes.  May we receive our neighbor with our open and compassionate hearts.  This day need not be noteworthy for anything other than it was lived genuinely, with integrity and grace.  For the simple road we give thanks.  Blessed Be, and Amen.

Prayer is call and response: we ask how, and the universe answers.  We ask why, and soon the reason is apparent.  We ask when, and suddenly realize it is now.  Prayer is less about ‘give it to me’ than it is about it is about ‘may we find it together.’  Prayer does not guarantee answers, but it does promise hope.  Prayer does not insure healing, but it will breed compassion.  Prayer is Gratitude for the simplicity and the complexity of Be-ing.  May we never forget to pray.  We are thankful.  Blessed Be, and Amen.

Step into the fresh morning air and breathe deeply: this is our prayer.

Jump into the cold mountain river and feel every capillary constrict: this is our prayer.

Enter the child’s room and gently wake them to begin their day; this is our prayer.

Catch yourself before giving harsh criticism and re-imagine your response: this is our prayer.

See the sun setting bold and crimson and notice your breath has gotten lost: this is our prayer.

Volunteer some small amount of time for the greater good: this is our prayer.

Tell others how much you love them, then show them: this is our prayer.

May our prayers be heard.  May our prayers be felt.  May our prayers find action.  May our prayers be manifest.  We are grateful.  Blessed Be, and Amen.

Let us seek to live directionaly, rather than randomly.  An uncharted life may find us dashed upon the rocks, our vessel smashed, leaving us marooned.  To live an intentional life does not mean we need to know what the plan is at any given moment; rather, when we live with intention our choices become more clear, our decisions more informed.  Let us set our moral compass not to judge others but instead to judge ourselves.  Instead of asking ‘what would Jesus/Mohammed/Buddha do?’, let us ask ‘what would I do?’  The answers become clear when we’re grounded and aware.  This is to live with intention, and for this we are thankful.  Blessed Be, and Amen.

Life is to be cherished, and yet often it is easy to take for granted or worse.  There is much to cause us angst, making us lament our living experience.  It is in these times that our prayers must focus on our relationships with each other.  Through the eyes of another, we gain a fresh perspective on the world.  Through the heart of another, we are reminded that we are worthy and we are loved.  We are not meant to go it alone in this vast human pageant; we share these experiences both in companionship and in compassion.  We suffer the same tribulations so that we can help each other, through our empathy.  May we, in our dark times, remember to reach out, to expose our heart, and lay ourselves bear before each other.  And may we gladly take up the burdens of another, listening to each other’s fears, and offer what comfort we can.  Together we not only make it through, we make it in wholeness and with Grace.  For compassion and connection we give thanks.  Blessed Be, and Amen.

May ‘hopeful’ be not ‘wishful,’ where hope is active and wishing is passive.  Hope implies forward motion and positive action.  Hope is an optimistic state of mind.  Hope breeds encouragement.  Hope springs from promising circumstances.  Ancient wisdom reminds us that Faith, Hope, and Love abide: those three attributes are not joined coincidentally.  They are the foundation of Excellent Living.  May we be excellent to each other!  For Hope we give thanks.  Blessed Be, and Amen.