Gold and Purple

The *sunsets* declare the glory of God;

The sky proclaims its builder's craft. 

One day to the next conveys that message;

one night to the next imparts that knowledge. 

There is no word or sound;

no voice is heard;

Yet their report goes forth through all the earth,

their message, to the ends of the world.

Psalm 19:2-5

Lord, thank you for infusing our life 

with your light. 

When night time comes, 

allow the memory of your light

to still our souls like a weaned child

on its mother's lap,

confident that sunrise will come again;

confident that your presence is there,

even behind cloudy skies and rainy weather.

Have mercy on us when we tremble in the dark.

Help us to remember:

You are king over all the earth.

You are king over our lives.

You are in charge. 

There is nothing to fear.

You are the king of mercy. 

We trust in you.

B&W

Source: The Tablet, May 10, 2014 issue

Merciful God, please give us the strength

to get through our tribulations 

and overcome temptation. 

Deliver us from evil. Amen. 

Dappled

Last Friday, as we were doing a Jericho Walk,

the beauty of the sun shining through the trees

struck us all. However much I wanted to capture

the moment, we were in the middle of a prayer-- 

and I had no camera to boot... 

Today, however, I did have a camera.

So praise and glory be to you,

Lord God, creator of the universe...

giver of all things good... 

master artist who creates a different sunset

every day... This is today's sunset...

dappled sunshine through forest green,

proclaiming the greatness of its creator.

Hallelujah! 

A muted purple

God, grant us the serenity 

to accept the things we cannot change,

courage to change the things we can,

and the wisdom to know the difference.

White 2

Even out of decay, life grows.

Even in the midst of darkness,

the hope for light prevails.

Even in the midst of sorrow,

there is a promise of a joyful tomorrow.

Lord, we offer up endings and beginnings,

our tears and pain, 

our mistakes and regrets.

We know all things work together for the good of 

those who love you and are called

according to your purpose. 

Though we don't understand everything,

we trust your love. Your will be done. Amen.

Orange 2

Psalm 113:3 

From the rising of the sun 

to its setting 

the name of the LORD 

is to be praised.

Black and white 2

Lord, grant that the "hopeless romantic" in me

might be crucified on the cross with you 

that I might resurrect as a person

capable of loving as you do...

Wrote this prayer around October 2011.

In God's perfect time, I think He is 

answering the first part of the prayer

right now... 

I look forward to the next part being answered...

Today might be the season for sorrow...

there will be a season of joy for another day...

Lord, bahala ka na. 

Grant me the grace to trust

in times of darkness...

Hindi mo pa ko pinabayaan...

Kaya ko ito basta kasama kita.
Thank you po.

Gray

The quality of mercy is not strain'd.

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven.

Portia in The Merchant of Venice

by William Shakespeare

Father, forgive me for my lack of words...

for being unable to advocate for mercy...

Please refresh the good memories of the past

in the hearts and minds of those 

angry over recent offenses.

Help heal present wounds

and allow reconciliation and reparation 

to begin today.

This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Rainbow

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; 

the whole earth is full of his glory." 

Isa 6:3

God has been impressing on me the image of walking with him... On this walk to work one morning, there was so much beauty. When you try to walk with God, then your eyes are opened to the glory that fills the earth he has made... 

Enoch walked with God; 

then he was no more, 

because God took him. 

Gen 5:24

Noah was a righteous man, 

blameless in his generation; 

Noah walked with God. 

Gen 6:9

If you hold back your foot on the Sabbath from following your own pursuits on my holy day; If you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord's holy day honorable...

If you honor it by not following your ways, seeking your own interests, or speaking with malice--

Then you shall delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth. Isa 58:13-14

Lord, grant that our hearts may be open to your holy will and our feet quick to follow the path you set. May we walk with you always in humility and kindness. This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Purple

1 Corinthians 11:25 

In the same way he took the cup also, 

after supper, saying, 

"This cup is the new covenant 

in my blood. 

Do this, as often as you drink it, 

in remembrance of me."

Today marks the first day of the Lenten season.

Lord, we offer what little acts of love and sacrifice

we can make during this season.

Grant us a new heart O God

so we may stop offending you

and love you more and more each day.

Continue the work you have begun

in us; we trust that you will be

faithful to complete it. 

This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

P.S. Please bless H and 

thank her for the gift of grapes.

Black and white

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I'm gonna let it shine

let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!*

Lord, thank you for generous, thoughtful friends.

Please bless them with whatever they need.

Please continue purifying these friendships

so our light may shine true,  

and mutually draw us closer to you.

This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

*by Harry Dixon Loes

Orange

"You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 

No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, 

but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, 

so that they may see your good works 

and give glory to your Father in heaven." 

Matt 5:14-16

Lord, please allow us to be your salt and light...

not living for its own sake but

for whatever purpose you intend... 

to be like salt... 

to preserve and enhance the good in the world

through authentic Christian living... 

to be like light...

and to illuminate and cast out the darkness,

through works of justice and charity.

This we ask in Jesus' name. Amen.

Yellow 2

Lord, you're my sunshine

My only sunshine

You make me happy 

when skies are grey

You always know this

how much I love you

Please don't take my sunshine away*

Lord, you know how little I love you also...

how often I fail and, instead of looking 

toward the real source of light,

allow imitation sunshine to eclipse you in my heart...

Grant me the grace to be faithful

and, like the sunflower looks to the sun, 

to look only toward you as the true 

light of the world.

May we shine your light faithfully

and help others to stay faithful as well.

This we pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

*Music and lyrics by Oliver Hood/ Charles Mitchell and Jimmie Davis 

Green 2

Had the opportunity to join 

Fazenda da Esperanca

in their Tacloban mission...

Saw this tiny pineapple growing

in the backyard of the person

whose roof we were repairing...

Thank you for your mercy, Lord,

that allows for new beginnings

in the midst of debris and devastation.

Please continue to strengthen 

those affected by disasters in their life.

Allow them to restart their lives

and stand on their own two feet 

with dignity and restored confidence.