Prayer

Prayer for MLK Sunday

Rev. Douglas Taylor

Eternal Spirit, from Whom all things come and to Whom all things return

We gather this hour as a community of people

committed to the principles of freedom, justice, truth and goodness.

We gather as a people of faith, recognizing the innate dignity of every soul,

celebrating our connectedness and common kinship with all life

despite differences and apparent divisions

We are a people of many beliefs together as one faith.

We take a moment in silence now to give thanks together.

For the blessings of this day, the gathering of these good people,

and the simple joys of life: we give thanks.

For the resurgence of faith and trust in the face of the tides of life,

we raise our voices in great thanksgiving.

And for the shining dream of a better world that leads us to work

for equality and compassion for all – we offer indeed all gratitude.

In this moment of silence and gratitude, let us also lift up our need.

Each of us carries burdens and sufferings of a personal nature;

each of us is in need of gentle care to some degree.

Grant that we may learn more kindness and compassion in our days.

For the vision of a better day dawning, may we heed that twinge of conscience

that calls us to respond to the inequality and injustice in our world

with civility, compassion and grace.

And grant that we have to courage to face the challenges of today and tomorrow.

Give us faith to believe a better day is possible

and may we find, kindled anew in our hearts,

the power and the promise of our faith.

May we join the mighty chorus of those working to realize the true dream

of a beloved community on earth

with justice and compassion for all people.

This we ask in the name of all that is holy

May it be so.

Invocation for the naturalization of citizens

11:00 September 20, 2019; Broome County Court house, 92 Court st, 2^nd floor

by Rev. Douglas Taylor

Gracious and loving God, from Whom all things come and to Whom all things return

We gather this morning from many countries and may faith traditions, from many cultures and ways of naming you, O God. We gather this morning to join together as members of one country: one country that welcomes many traditions, many cultures, and many ways of naming you, O God.

We gather to enact the deep truth that we are all one human family. Help us to see our diversity and variety as a gift and a source of beauty as we work toward unity and common fellowship.

We gather to declare an allegiance to the deep values the anchor our living. Do we not all share the same longing to be free and live in peace? Do we not all reach for the opportunities of a better life, a better world, a better chance for those we love? Help us each of us this morning to welcome the stranger in our midst; to reach out to others that they may be transformed from strangers into brothers and sisters, siblings of one human family.

As we recognize those here gathered to pledge themselves to be citizens of our community. Help us to see that the beautiful tapestry of unity can be woven from our variety only through our common efforts to share our community with all who would take part.

Be with each of us, O God, in this act of citizenship as we join together as one people; remembering that we already are one human family. Move us, O God, from this moment onward to live with more lovingkindess, peace and justice.

In the name of all that is holy

May it be so. Amen

Prayer for Love and Justice

Rev. Douglas Taylor

Eternal Spirit

From whom all things come and to whom all things return.

We gather this morning as a community of faith,

seeking to tap into the strength found in community

We seek for ourselves and for our world

the light of truth to see with clarity

the warmth and companionship of community

the fire of commitment to stay true to our deep principles

the beacon of justice that leads us to care for those in need

We seek for ourselves and for the world a full measure of love and justice.

We lift up our gratitude for the blessings of this day,

for the blessings of these and other people who are our support,

for the blessings of thy presence in our lives.

O thou who has dwelt in the hearts of women and men,

hear us in our times of need

Where there is difficulty grant us strength

Where there is adversity grant us courage

Where there is suffering grant us meaning,

that we may grow not bitter for the road we travel

Be thou an ever present strength to guide

to the future of this congregation and to all those among us in need

This we pray in the name of all that is holy

May it be so.

Prayer for another week Rev. Douglas Taylor

Eternal Spirit

From Whom all things come and to Whom all things return.

We who gather give thanks for every gift of life which leads us further into the thickness of life. We gather this hour searching for richer connections and deeper understandings.

Some here today yearn for insights for the mind;

some, for the comfort of regular friends;

some, for encouragement in moral fortitude;

and still yet some, for the peace that passes understanding.

We who gather this hour do so for many reasons.

May all find in this worship experience the resources needed for another week.

Grant that we might be renewed in strength, courage and faithfulness.

Grant that this hour establishes for us and all the world a greater abundance of goodwill and life giving truth.

This we pray in the name of all that is holy

In a world without end,

May it be so.

Prayer for Letting Go

Rev. Douglas Taylor

Eternal Spirit

From Whom all things come and to Whom all things return

We gather this hour in recognition of the flow of time.  We pause before the festive celebration to honor the old year and acknowledge the coming of the new.  With reverence we stop to breath in a moment of peace and enact a ritual of release – of letting go.

We begin by letting go.  On the cusp of the New Year, we begin by letting go.

Beginnings are usually marked by picking something up:

            when we accept a request or an assignment

            when we choose to step forward or respond to a call

            when we begin by putting the first word on the paper,

turning the key, opening the door, or reaching out again

But really, in every case, we begin by letting go 

We let go of who we were, of our expectations of how this is supposed to be, of where this will all lead us.  We release our past – be it filled with suffering and grievances or with joys and plenty.  We cast it all behind and let go, releasing ourselves to embrace the coming year.

And what shall we embrace in the New Year?  May we embrace the call to be better people, may we reach out to those around us and offer them peace and comfort, may we heartily respond “yes!” to the challenges before us to make our communities more just and equitable, may we do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.  May we let go of our anger and our past injuries, and face the beckoning future with an open heart.

Truly, when we let go in this way, we will be free to begin the deeper journey of peace and understanding.  Truly, when we let go we will begin.

Be Thou, O God, an ever-present strength on our journey.

In a world without end, may it be so.

Amen.