July 10, 2016 – Time After Pentecost
The following prayers have been adapted for congregational use by Rebecca Garber
click here to download a copy of the prayers
(The prayer petitions come from Native America tradition as captured by Jose Hobday. It would be in keeping with native tradition to face in the direction being addressed. You might point that out, and lead worshippers in doing so.)
With the words, God of hope and healing, you are invited to respond Hear our prayer.
As newcomers to the lands of indigenous peoples, we pray for our church, for those in need, and for all of creation.
a brief silence
Your Spirit has been upon Canadian lands for millennia, and we call upon you to enable us to carry forth the work of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Bind us together with native brothers and sisters, especially together with our partner Anglican Church of Canada, Bishop Logan, Bishop Greg and the congregations of our synod. We pray especially today for Christ in Kelowna and Pastor Patricia Giannelia and St. Peter’s Shared Ministry, Hudson’s Hope
God of hope and healing
Hear our prayer.
Oh Great Spirit of the East, we face you to understand birth and new beginnings. We look to you bringing forth a new day and are reminded that life is about birth–of babies, puppies, new seasons, new ways of doing things. Teach us the mysteries of beginnings.
God of hope and healing
Hear our prayer.
Oh Great Spirit of the South, we look to you to understand abundance, fertility, warmth and the extravagance, and colours of creation. Come to our minds, and lead us into the adventures of the south.
God of hope and healing
Hear our prayer.
Oh Spirit of the West, we turn to you to understand dying. As the sun goes down each day, we are reminded of many deaths: friends, generations, seasons, and old ways of doing things. Let the sunset remind us that, like the sun, we too shall arise in a new life and colour.
God of hope and healing
Hear our prayer.
Oh Strong, Powerful North, we face you to remember that life sometimes comes to us in cold and harshness. Not only do the days grow cold, but people may turn cold toward us. Give us the strength of the buffalo, that we may stand in blizzards with our face toward the North without being blown down or overwhelmed. We pray especially for those we name aloud or in the depths of our being. Bless those who have requested your care and strength (name those on the prayer list)
God of hope and healing
Hear our prayer.
(Face East Again)
Oh Great Spirit of all that is Up, all that soars, all that floats or flies above us, all that comes to us from on high to enlighten us, we cherish this direction. Give us visions and let our minds walk among the stars and moon, and in the daylight of the sun. Oh, sweet power of Up, light us high to our Father, the sky.
God of hope and healing
Hear our prayer.
Oh Great Spirit of all that is Down, we thank you for our Mother, the earth. We ask to be humble, to be simple, to never consider ourselves above all our relatives in creation. And may we walk with such respect upon the earth, that when it is time for us to go to her, she may receive us sweetly to her heart.
God of hope and healing
Hear our prayer.
Oh Wondrous Direction of In, we put our hands on our hearts to remind us of the mysteries, the unknowns that lie within me. Teach us to guard the simpler beauties. To walk closely with the circle of our God in our hearts. Let us share only with those who can be loyal to our secrets.
In your name–God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–we pray.
Amen
