Monday 5 September 2022

Pray the Story Volume 2

Out now!

A new collection prayer and poetry for the breadth of the Christian year, and the depth of our lived experience. New hymns and new versions of Sarah's 'Story Eucharist' also feature in this new volume. 


Pray the Story offers evocative and provocative invitations into prayer for the individual and the community. 


 

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Sunday 20 February 2022

it is good for us to be here


Luke 9:28–36 

Oh, Holy One,
may our communion with you
change us so others see 
us shining with your light 

Oh Holy One, 
may your presence with us
envelop us close as a cloud 
so we drip with your holiness 

Oh, Holy One, 
may we listen to Jesus,
your son, your chosen,
and become more like him 

Amen. 


Sunday 13 February 2022

to be merciful, like God


Luke 6:27–38

We pray for those who oppose us,
who hurl hate our way,
who curse our name,
who hurt, who attack, who abuse. 

We pray for the inner turmoil
that lies behind such harm,
self-loathing turned on others,
insecurities turned to venom,
pain, sorrow, abuse suffered themselves. 

We pray for those who cause harm,
for all in pain, not knowing how
to heal or to forgive. 

May we, your people,
be agents of love that heals,
living your grace that restores. 

We pray for those who act
with violence towards others,
with disrespect for property and person,
with greed, entitlement, selfish disdain. 

We pray for victims of violence
who learn no other way,
for poverty's angry outcomes,
wealth's insatiable appetite for more. 

We pray for those who cause harm,
for all in pain, not knowing how
to heal or to forgive. 

May we, your people,
be agents of love that heals,
living your grace that restores. 

We pray for those who pass judgement,
and for our own tendencies
toward self-congratulation. 

We pray from and for the messiness
of life lived alongside others
different and sometimes oh, too, similar
to ourselves. 

We pray for those who cause harm,
for all in pain, not knowing how
to heal or to forgive. 

May we, your people,
be agents of love that heals,
living your grace that restores. 

Hear our prayers, Holy One; 
may we live love for each other
that will transform enemies
into friends. 
Amen. 

Saturday 5 February 2022

Jesus begins


Three haikus with the story in Luke 

throw him back

Luke 4:14–30 

the valley would not 
receive him, returned, mountain
prophet home no more 


gather them in 

Luke 5:1–11 

he calls: fish sink boats
we fall to knees unworthy
then rise – gasp – he calls! 


come to the light

Luke 6:17–26 

he warms, he restores, 
riddles blessings into woes, 
woeful become blessed 




Sunday 19 December 2021

Song of the ages

Psalm 148 and John 1 

This One commanded
This One created
This One now here with us 

We praise the Word
We praise You, Wisdom,
Jesus, we praise Your Holy being 

Sun and moon and shining stars
Heavens and waters and earth
praise You, present through all creation 

Promise and presence
Prophet and Messiah
Your song is sung through time 






Sunday 12 December 2021

the Word became flesh

Christmas Blessing with John 1:1–14 

Word at the beginning,
Word without end;
Light in the darkness,
Light that God sent; 
born among us long ago,
born again, anew, now! 

This Jesus is born in you,
today/tonight, new life again and always: 
may his light guide your way,
beginnings, new beginnings, 
to the end. Amen. 











Sunday 5 December 2021

a multitude of the heavenly host

Christmas Praise with Luke 2:8–20 

angels fill our sky with gold:
our eyes blink with wonder! 

angels fill the air with music:
our hearts sing a song long awaited! 

angels fill the sky with light:
our souls dance, amazed! 

angels fill the air with life:
our lungs expand and – sigh! 

Praise to You, our Holy One,
Source of Life and Love,

born again in the wondrous story,
born again in us tonight / today!