Pastoral Prayer for October 29, 2023

Our Prayer today is by Ted Loder.  Please allow his words to become your own.

Holy One,

     untamed

          by the names

               I give you,

in the silence

     name me,

that I may know

     who I am,

hear the truth

     you have put into me,

trust the love

     you have for me,

          which you call me to live out

               with my sisters and brothers

                    in your human family.

Loving God,

I hear and say so many words,

yet yours is the word I need.

Speak now,

and help me listen;

and, if what I hear is silence,

     let it quiet me,

          let it disturb me,

               let it touch my need,

                    let it break my pride,

                         let it shrink my certainties,

                              let it enlarge my wonder.

Now,

O Lord,

calm me into a quietness

     that heals

          and listens,

and molds my longings

     and passions,

          my wounds

               and wonderings

into a more holy

     and human

          shape.

Amen.