Adventure Awaits

Adventure awaits.
I have some plans for today,
Very good plans if I must say so myself.
But, life will not go as I expect it.
I’m pretty sure of that.
I will be presented with unexpected twists and turns.
Some won’t be to my liking.
Some I will be awfully peeved about.
But there will be others that are pretty cool,
Ones that make me feel truly blessed.
There might even be some that are wondrous.
Without the unexpected, how could miracles happen?
Anyway, good morning Universe.
I am ready to start my day.
Adventure awaits.

Intermal vs. External Source of Solutions (Prayer)

Dear Divine Source,
I encounter so many different types of situations, major and minor challenges, where I am not clear when to act alone, when to rely on others, and when to work in partnership with others. Guide me to the right and perfect helpers. Provide me with the means and knowledge to fairly compensate them. Help me to know how and when to take responsibility for my own life, whether simply to manage my own thoughts and reactions, or whether to take physical action. Help me to know when to go it alone, being mindful that I am never really alone, that you are always with me. Help me to know when to collaborate with others, and guide us to work with right hearts and mutual respect.

You are my Source. You are the solution to every challenge I can possibly face. Yet, the earthly medium for the solutions in my life come through a dance of independence, interdependence, and dependence. Moment by moment, beyond a shadow of a doubt, help me to know which means is the best. Help me to know your true answers in my heart.

As always, thank you for all the blessing in my life and all the blessings to come.
A-men

Holiday Blessings 2014

In this season of miracles, may you be blessed with moments of wonder.
May you feel a peace that transcends all human understanding.
May you know great joy.

Prayer for Ebola Crisis

Dear God,
We admit to being scared and perhaps a bit angry about the recent spread of Ebola. Be with those directly affected by Ebola. Infuse the patients with your life and heal their bodies. Surround the health professionals and caregivers with your protection. Give them strength and wisdom as they care for patients.
 
We know that the answer to a prayer can come through many channels. Be with all those who will bring a stop to the spread of Ebola and who will help find a cure, including those working in hospitals and universities, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies. Guide, inspire, and encourage them. Help everyone to work together in ways that will bring about a quick solution.
 
We know that you are also with those of us not directly involved with this challenge and who hope to never be affected. Gently guide us away from any urge we may have to get caught up in the drama. Help us to instead think rightly: sending our love and strength to the patients, healthcare professionals, and those helping to bring about a cure. Help us to remember all the once terrifying diseases that you have taught us to cure. Help us to be grateful for our lives and the lives of those we care about. Help us to remember with you all thing are possible.
 
As always thank you for all the blessings in our lives and all the blessings yet to come.
 
A-men

Autumn Blessings

I wish you the blessings of Autumn
And of an abundant Harvest.

May you experience the satisfying results of the talents you have cultivated.
May you now feel ease in your life from the hard-fought lessons you have learned.
May you know the joy of the friendships that you have nurtured.
May you experience the answers to the heartfelt prayers you have said.

May this be a time that your innermost heart sings:
 “Yes, I have been truly blessed, and my life is good.”

Working Retail

You want to scream:
“Once I was a person.”
“Once my life mattered to someone.”
But you know one will hear.
Just a meaningless sound, like the traffic passing by
Or the yappy dog in the corner house.
Worse you begin to believe.
Only faintly remembering:
“Once I was a human being.”

Prayer for Earth Day 2014

Dear God,
What a wild ride this past winter has been! Many of us couldn’t stop talking about it. We complained, but underneath it all we were scared. How were we going to go about our daily lives? Is this the beginning of something new and terrible? What will our children and grandchildren face?

On this Earth Day we turn to you. We thank you for this Earth that is so necessary for our existence. We are grateful for its beauty. We are grateful for the air and water. We are grateful for its ability to grow food. We are grateful for the temperature that is still within a range where we can live.

We believe in your power and love to help keep this Earth as a good place for us to live. We also know that you expect us to be good stewards. Guide us to do those things that will nurture the Earth and help restore it to a healthy equilibrium. Guide our day to day actions as individuals to live in harmony with the Earth. Guide the actions of the leaders of companies and countries to help create a world where all people can thrive.

Thank you for all the blessings in our lives and all the blessings yet to come.

Prayer for Flood Victims in Germany and the Rest of Europe

I have both a cousin and a student in Germany. This prayer is for them, their families, and all the people in Europe who are being affected by the flooding.

Dear God, Spread your loving arms around the people of Germany and the rest of Europe who are being affected by the flooding. Protect them. Comfort them. Help the waters to quickly and safely recede. Help the people to continue to create good lives for themselves and their families. 

Thank you, God, for all the blessings in all our lives and all the multitude of blessings yet to come. 
A-men

New Year 2013 Blessing Poem

To 2012 we say good bye. 
It had moments that made us laugh 
Moments that made us cry. 

We now look to the coming year 
With feelings of optimism 
And perhaps a touch of fear 

May the coming year see harmony increase 
Brothers and sisters on all sides 
Work together for abundance and peace. 

Let’s welcome in 2013 
Wonders will soon be seen.

End of the Mayan Calendar (Prayer)

Dear God, 
We are ready for the beginning of a new cycle of our humanity, knowing that whatever may happen you will still be with us. Your love and peace will continue to surround us. Your wisdom will continue to guide us. Your life will continue to flow through us. Help us to gently release what no longer works in our lives. Help us to embrace new ways of being as individuals, as members of communities, as members of the human family, and as parts of the complex web of life on the planet. Help us to release our fears and embrace the wonders you have in store for us. Thank you for all the blessings in our lives and all the blessings yet to come. 
A-men.

Sandy Hook School in Connecticut Prayer

Dear God, 
We know that we are all your children. Today, we ask you to be with those affected by the school shooting at Sandy Hook School in Connecticut. Comfort those who have lost loved ones. Help us honor the beauty of the lives that have been lost. Heal the hearts and minds of those touched by the violence. Help them and all of us in the larger community to feel safe and know that there is a prevailing good that surrounds us. Help us to feel the power of your peace and love. 
A-men

Hurricane Sandy

My prayers today are for all those affected by Hurricane Sandy. Even here in Wisconsin, we are feeling some of the effects.

Dear God, 
How can our lives go on so routinely for so long and then suddenly turn into so much chaos? We turn to you today in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. Be with those who have made a commitment to protect us. Protect them, guide them, and give them strength as they do their jobs. Heal those who have suffered emotional and physical injuries. Comfort those who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and a sense of security. Be with everyone as they rebuild their lives in the weeks to come. Lighten their burdens, guide them, encourage them and help them feel your love. Thank you for all the blessings in our lives and all the blessings yet to come. A-men.

Blessings from Kata

May you be healthy in body and mind. 
May each day you experience moments of joy. 
May you look at life with childlike wonder. 
May you find inner peace, no matter what is happening in your outer world. 
May you feel surrounded by a love that transcends human understanding. 
May you feel blessed.

Very, Very Short Self-Esteem Prayer

Last week, my inner critic was being fed well. My self-esteem was just shredded. This morning, I said this very brief prayer:

Dear God, 

Please, 

Ease 

All 

Cruel 

Emotions

Sikh Temple Shooting (Prayer)

Each year Unity has a World Day of Prayer. Our Church includes a service where leaders of different religions, including Sikhs, are invited to offer up a prayer. The victims of the recent shooting, their loved ones, and the entire Sikh community are in our prayers today. Here is my personal prayer:

Dear God, today we are trying to understand why such a peaceful community has been the target of such awful violence. Enfold the community in your love and peace. Comfort those who have lost loved ones. Heal the bodies of those who have sustained physical injuries. Heal the hearts of the victims, their families, and friends. Guide us all to create a world of peace, love, respect, and mutual support. A-men

Prayer for Colorado Shooting Victims

Dear God, please be with the victims of the Colorado Theater Shooting and their loved ones. Heal their bodies and their emotions. Comfort those who have lost loved ones. Help us all to know that you are still a God of love and peace. A-men.

Prayer for Syria

Dear God, I feel so powerless as I read about the events in Syria, but I know that I am not alone. Today, I add my voice and my thoughts to the force of all the other people throughout the world praying for the people of Syria. We recognize you as the ultimate power in the world. Spread your protection over the Syrian people. Renew their lives and bring them your perfect peace. Guide the leaders of the world to make wise decisions to help them. We thank you for our answered prayers. A-men.

Extreme Summer Weather (Prayer)

Dear God, during this extreme weather, we recognize just how vulnerable we are. We are dependent upon you and the earth. Help us to stay at temperatures that are safe for our bodies. Supply us with the perfect amounts of water for our bodies and our crops. Open our hearts so that we help those who are especially at risk during this time: the elderly, children, pets, and the physically and emotionally fragile. Guide us to take whatever steps necessary so that we and future generations can continue to grow and thrive in your world. Thank you for all the blessing we enjoy. A-men

Heat Wave (Affirmative Prayer)

I felt I needed to write a prayer in response to the record hot weather we have been having.

Dear God, we recognize your perfection everywhere and in everything, including the weather. Your love envelops us like a cool, refreshing breeze. Your wisdom sends the right and perfect temperatures to us, our crops, our gardens, and our animal friends. Your life giving rains fall in the perfect amounts to help us to thrive. We thank you for all the blessings we have and all the blessings yet to come. A-men.

Prayer for Those Affected by Tornadoes

 

Dear God,
Please, enfold in your loving presence all those affected by the recent tornadoes. Comfort those who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses, and a sense of security. Heal those who have suffered physical or emotional trauma. Send courage and wisdom to help everyone rebuild their lives. In the midst of incredible devastation, help them to know that there is still something they can depend upon. A-men