2. A Prayer of Confession

(For a time of ending and regret)

This is not an easy day
to sit with friends and wonder
at a heaviness of heart.
It is not an easy time
for experiencing the fullness of life
and the story of your grace…
not with the knowledge of failure
and the regret of work incomplete, not with mistakes made and forgiveness withheld…

So we ask, merciful God,
for your forgiveness, so that we might learn to forgive,
for your blessing, so that we might bless,
for your gifts, that we might become generous.
Heal our wounds,
that we might live wholly and holy for you.

Words of Assurance

God loved us before we knew how to pray.
God loves us even as we pray.
God will love us beyond our prayers and our dreamings.

It is Jesus who says to us,
“Your sins are forgiven!”
Thanks be to God!

(C) 2017, A.Koh-Butler

1. A Spirit Psalm of Confession

So much goodness promised
in the single grain of rice,
or wheat, or barley…

Yet, in times of drought
we are deceived by the potential,
mistaking it for a reality…
The tall stalk pretends to contain life
but may in fact only offer empty husks,
useful only as fibre to clean out our systems,
good only to carry out,
discard and waste.

We feel the betrayal of our own hopes.
We regret taking the time to dream.
The joy of past promises
turns to anger and frustration.
Why did we dare to have faith?
Why did we commit our steps for uncertain miracles?
Yet, O Divine Friend, I yearn for another promise.
I wait upon your next possibility.
I wonder what you will ask of us next.

I ask, even as I fear your answers,
not because I do not trust you,
but because I do.
You ask me to become more than I am.
You call us to be a community beyond ourselves.
You make us and remake us
and stretch us and challenge us.
I recognise the growing pains
and I know there are more to come.

So I ask, for myself, that your Spirit
measures my breath, my heart, my soul.
So we ask, for one another, that your Spirit
rests upon this community
and gentles us into your ways.

And may your will be done on earth
as it is in heaven,
And may we be on earth
as it will be evermore.
Amen.


(C) 2017, A.Koh-Butler

Blessing for Confinement

“Fat-ladies” all over the world…
be proud and stand tall,
despite the aches and swelling feet.
May they know that all life is held within them.
May we all grow in love as they grow love.
May they carry well and deliver safely.
Amen.

(C) 2017, A.Koh-Butler

Prayer for Widows

This community of memory and grief…
See us and give us breath for whatever life is given to us.
This crazy bunch of knitters and bakers…
Give us fresh creativity to sustain the world.

(C) 2017, A.Koh-Butler

Prayer for women behind walls

O God – how shall your daughters survive?
Have mercy upon them as they seek ways for their families.
Honour their risk-taking faith.
Give them places of sanctuary
and courage when they offer sanctuary to others.
May they be blest with your inheritance – your promise of Heaven.
Amen.

(C) 2017, A.Koh-Butler

Dancing Prayer

Take the rhythm tapping from my toes
and make it a song of praise.
Take the extension of my fingers, stretching forth,
to reach the world.
Take the music in limbs’ embrace,
to offer blessing.
Amen.

(C) 2017, A.Koh-Butler

Prayer for my sister (for JAB)

For my little sister, O God, I pray.
I pray for her safety and comfort when she is low.
I pray for her home – far away from mine.
I pray that she finds peace – when conflict and disruptions arise.
I pray for her beloved – that he may honour and love her well.
I pray for her work – may she encourage and raise up others…
So they feel better about themselves.
I pray for her children – may motherhood rest well on her shoulders…
So they can become the wonderful creatures You imagine into being.
I pray for her past – that it be healed.
I pray for her present – that You are with her now.
I pray for her future – that Heaven may be real for her.
Amen.

(C) 2017, A.Koh-Butler