Lord of life,
Lord of breeze, of warmth and softest light
Lord of song and answered cries
Lord of long days and sleepless nights

Lord of rest
Lord of this sacred space to reflect
Lord of this gifted stillness
I confess you caught my breath

Lord of promise
Lord who gifted this anointed child
Lord of mercy, of goodness
I weep in the sheen of this just-fed smile

I breathe a quiet celebration (lest they waken)
and marvel at this wondrous sight
I wonder at this crowning moment
and whisper thanks for this new life

I pledge my life to raise my child
to teach the wonders of your kingdom
I surrender now, done and done
and pray they grow in strength and wisdom

I thank you, Lord, for this new life
and wonder again in mid-elation
how Mary contained her cradled delight
while swaddling the first-born of your new creation

I like to forgive people
even if they do me wrong
because what right do I have not forgiving,
when my Father knows every single thing that I have done wrong,
but yet has forgiven me for all of them?

In my prayers I ask God to release me from my anger
my anger towards people,
my anger towards the world.
Because to be frank,
I don't want to live an angry life.
I don't want to live a life full of anger and hate.
I want to live in a perfect world, but I know that is not possible, for mankind makes all kinds of different mistakes.
So instead I trust God, I trust his plan, and because I have that trust, I know that everything will be okay.
Life will be okay with those different mistakes, as long as I trust.

Look back and thank God.
Look Forward and trust God.

Where do our prayers go,
When we put breath 
to our hopes and woes?
Do they float up to Heaven,
Or become a bereft flow,
never to be enlightened?

Asking faithfully so,
with lists full of prayers,
going back decades low.
Some answered joyfully,
but many more not, leaving me wondering...

Why must they take my Lord from me?
Why, oh why, can they not see
What it is they have really done?
They have killed God's only son.
I know he came to suffer and die
But I hold him in my arms, and I cry:
"Abba, my father, why must this be true
For Jesus, he was my son too.
Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.
Father, my father, if only they knew"
Let these tears that fall be as sweet perfume
As I lay our son in a borrowed tomb
Father, my father, cleanse them from their sin
Father, I beg you, don't let Satan win.
In my heart I knew this day would come,
But part of me, to this fact, was numb.
I am pierced by sorrow so deep and wide
Your cousin and I alone stand at your side.
My heart is broken on the altar of love
As my tears mix with the rain from above.
In an instant, I would trade my life for his.
I would die so that he might live.
But may it be done according to Your Will
You were my God, and you are still
My faith remains steadfast even in this darkest night
I believe that we will once again see your Holy Light

Amen

Lord God, you are the author of life and creator of all good things. Everything is yours and yours alone. But I don't always (or often) act like it. I try to rely on myself to find success, to find my worth, to overcome challenges, to have control over my life as if I don't or can't trust you to provide what I need. I'm sorry. I have a hard time letting go. Letting go of hurt, pain, sadness, anger, jealousy, and I miss the times that were beautiful and filled with joy and love, laughter and peace. I'm sorry. Help me, Lord, to surrender my control to you. Help me learn to let go and give you all of me, keeping nothing back from you. Take the good and the bad Lord, and through your great grace, blanket me in your love and bless my heart and soul with a profound peace that comes only from you. I don't pray as often as I should and, many times, I talk too much and listen too little. Help me be patient Lord and give you a little time as you have given me this time that I have.

When I pray Lord, take me away to the secret place. Take me to where you are, take me into your most sacred heart. When life is just too much to bear, show me just how much you care. When life is simply too demanding, bless me with peace that surpasses all understanding. When the winds are fair and the seas are still, my soul as well is mirror tranquil. When the storm is swirling mad with rage, you will hold me and my fears you will assuage.

Thank you for this Peace.

Amen

Come enter into this sanctuary
Come to the place of bended knee
Approach the inner courts humbly
You come before the God the Lord of Host
Before Him who loved us the most
Come into the most sacred place
Where we meet Jesus face to face
The sanctuary is a safe place, a haven
A place to go when you need savin'
In the shadow of the cross
Life is found in what once was lost
In the shelter of His wings
We find peace, hope, and holy things
Come enter into the secret hideaway
Where all your troubles just melt away
Take a few minutes of each day
To enter the sanctuary, to stay and pray

Tonight I find myself so grateful that things work out this way
Tonight I reflect upon the real power of those who pray
I was so convinced that things were looking quite grim
My trust in God on the other hand was looking a little thin
But God is with us and God does provide
Even when we're in the middle of a very wild ride
Divine Intervention led me to the place where I was
And God will use such things as only God does
And I truly believe in Divine Intercession: the power of prayer
Thank you for taking the time to show how much you care
But God has proved to me one more time
Who is in control. It will all work out just fine.

When the path before you is hard to see
And the air is so thick that you cannot breathe
In the chasm of silence, soft words are spoken
And the embers of life are reawakened

The Spirit that slumbers so deep within
Is released and in final victory over death and sin
Like the sun rises on the wings of dawn
Like the wind in the trees fills you with song
Like the water: freely and gently flowing
Like the flame of a candle: so warmly glowing
Like the mountains reaches to heights untold
Like the oceans: mystery and treasure we hold
Like the lighthouse shines a bright beacon
Like the wand'ring star: we follow to find what we are seekin'
Like the rainbow: a promise of faith, hope, and love
Like the trees: stretching toward the Son up above
We are bearers of the Spirit's great Holy Light
Commissioned to go forth and banish the night
To all the ends of the earth we are sent
To share the good news with loving intent

The spirit is willing to hear your every word
But my body says, this is right now, absurd
For sleep comes welcome to the weary worn
But I have made a covenant that will not be torn
Give me strength Lord for my lids are as stone
Give me light for my sight grows dim
Give me your promise I won’t go through life alone
Give me your heart afire from within
The struggle is real Lord and the fight is long
The spirit remains, but strength is gone
Tomorrow is a new day full of promise and vigor
And I’ll be there with strength and a heart that is bigger

I find myself dreaming even when I am awake.
Of life and death and what they'll celebrate at my wake.
Of every death I've seen before and know what it is to feel
I cannot be, it can only be dreams, it's not real.
But what can I say but, "I hear and obey."?

There was once a priestess in the time before Exodus who spoke in defense of Israel before Pharaoh and did not cease speaking even as she was walked deep into the desert.
I know what it is to thirst.

There was once a child who loved winter and who fell through the ice.
I know what it is to drown.

There was once an elder who was learned of medicine, who had no children but saved orphans of warring towns.
I know what it is to live with purpose and die fulfilled.

So when I dream and in prayer I hear Him say
To speak as I have spoken,
To go forward without fear,
And to hear His calling to purpose.
What can I say but, "I hear and obey."?