RevJSS's Evening Prayers

So, thank you for the interruptions that end up being net positives. And thank you for the beauty of your creation. Amen.

There’s been something on my mind all day, God. It’s that one thing that’s been sticking with me from Bible study yesterday, that didn’t start sticking until several hours later, and now is making me wonder all day. And, while I’m still very much in the “wondering” stage, I have a feeling that it’s the thing that Sunday’s sermon is going to be about. Thank you for the Bible study. Thank you for the wondering. Thank you for still speaking to me, and so often through engagement with the scriptures. Amen.

I’m thankful for today’s Bible study, God. And I’m thankful for a productive meeting tonight. And, really, what I’m most thankful for today is that I could be there for a few people. None of it was perfect, yet all of it was worthwhile, and that is good enough reason to give you thanks. Amen.

Well, God, I’m done for the day. It was a great day, but I’m so tired that I’m having trouble forming thoughtful sentences. Thanks for a great sermon. Thanks for an informative presentation during coffee hour. Thanks for a wonderful concert. Thanks that I get to go do bed now. Amen.

I hope that you know how deeply grateful I am for all of these gifts that are different manifestations of community. Amen.

Thank you for a better night’s sleep than I’ve had for a while, God. And thank you for a lazy morning and for a great chat with my dad this afternoon. Amen.

Thank you, God, for being with me through the day—as I sat with people and listened (and maybe talked too much), as I prepared for worship, as I took care of administrative things, as I enjoyed my meals, as I marveled at the beauty of the blue sky and the warmth of the air. Amen.

My heart is full tonight, God. My heart is filled with compassion, for there are many who are hurting, with love, for there are many who care, with hope, for there are many who are acting, and with gratitude, for your love permeates all that is and I often notice it. Amen.

[I think silence is the appropriate way to hold my gratitude for today, God.]

For these holy moments today, and for so many more, thank you. Amen.

Gracious One, I do love it when things align—like they did today with my sermon seeming to be a response to a church book discussion group that met last night. And I love it when my sermon reminds me of your good news in a way that I needed to hear, and it works the same way for others—like it did today. And I love it when the table is spread at a church potluck and there is an abundance of healthful food and treats and everyone has enough to eat—like happened today. It was all so delightful. Thank you. Amen.

Loving One, thank you for all the pieces that have gone into tomorrow’s worship service—Bible study, music rehearsal, conversations, reading, and a whole bunch of volunteer hours. May the service honor you, draw us together as a community, and encourage us to embrace a ‘hope beyond hope’ that is grounded in love. Amen.

Thank you, God, for the people who work behind the scenes to make the technology work—the technology we rely on and use to draw us together and build community. Amen.

In the moment, God, I’m not always aware of your presence, though here at the end of the day, looking back at all that happened, I realize you were there, sometimes making space for me, sometimes speaking to me though other people, sometimes encouraging me to speak up or sing out—and sometimes to shut up. Thank you for your steadfastness. Amen.

It was a good day, God. Maybe not listening to much news on the radio helped. Maybe the beauty of the weather where I live helped. Maybe the chance to talk with a few people who are going through some stuff and finding out that they are doing okay or better helped. Maybe getting several things done helped. I’m not sure what all goes into the mix that lets me, at the end of the day, conclude, “It was a good day.” I just know it was, and I’m grateful. Amen.

Thank you, Loving One, for a day that had a slow pace, that allowed for self-care, and that was filled with good people and great music. Amen.

There was proof tonight that church committee meetings can be a delight. Thank you, Holy One, for hard working volunteers. Thank you for openness to new ideas. Thank you for creative minds that feed off of each other. Thank you for can-do attitudes and a willingness to try. Thank you for church committee meetings. Amen.