Summer Breaks

June 24, 2019

 O Lord, the help of the helpless,
the hope of the hopeless,
the savior of the storm-tossed,
the harbor of voyagers,
the physician of the sick;
We pray to you.
O Lord, you became all things to all men;
you know each of us and our petitions;
you know each house and its needs;
Receive us all into your kingdom;
Make us children of light,
And bestow your peace and love upon us.

(Basil: c.330-79) 

Summer Breaks

 Last week’s newsletter introduced you to our latest version of Prayers for Deck & Dock. I entitled it Rainy Day Prayers to give you some options when the sun isn’t shining but your inner life can use some refreshment.

 I’m taking my normal break for the summer to give you a break from my spiritual perambulations but I’m leaving you with a couple of additional prayers I have found enriching this year.

 Enjoy the summer and we will see you again in the Fall the Lord willing and the creek don’t rise. Feel free to explore our podcasts and other resources for prayer and friendship at www.touchstone.ca.

 A Prayer

An Earth Redeemed

When we partake of the living bread and the living vine, our triune God,
help us to know ourselves to have part in an earth redeemed;
help us to know ourselves to have part in new lifeblood for the world:
to cling together as branches to the vine,
to give both shade and refreshment to the world.
Help us to be Thy healing spirit in the world
till all be pervaded.
So shall we freshly partake:
So shall we freshly purvey:
So shall we freshly be Thy life of love
till Thou shalt come to judge.

God the Creator, Thou hast made the bread.
Christ the Redeemer, Thou hast changed it.
Holy Spirit the Binder, Thou dost convey it:
bread for our touching, food for our souls:
Even as lives are bound together in Thee.  

God the Creator, Thou hast made the Vine.
Christ the Redeemer, Thou hast changed it.
Holy Spirit the Binder, Thou dost convey it:
the cup from hand to hand, the lifeblood from heart to heart:
Even as our lives are bound together in Thee.

God the Creator, Thou hast changed us.
Christ the Redeemer, Thou hast changed us.
Holy Spirit the Binder, Thou dost keep us changed:
Even as our lives are bound together in Thee.

(The Whole Earth Shall Cry Glory        George Macleod)