Afternoon Prayer for Ordinary Time
Daily Prayer for All Seasons
As the day lengthens, we are filled by the day’s encounters; now, more than ever, we accept the depth and breadth of God’s grace.
Opening
As you have loved us,
may we love one another.
Prayer
O Tree of Calvary, send your roots deep into my soul. Gather together my frailties — my soiled heart, my sandy instability and my muddy desires — and entwine them with the strong roots of your arboreal love. Amen.
Praise
Lord God, we praise you for those riches of our creation
that we will never see:
For stars whose light will never reach the earth;
For species of living things that were born,
that flourished and perished before humankind appeared in the world;
For patterns and colors in the flowers,
which only insect eyes are able to see;
For strange, high music that humans can never hear.
Lord God, you see everything that you have made
and behold that it is very good.
Scripture
Psalm 107: Part II Posuit flumina
33 The Lord changed rivers into deserts, *
and water-springs into thirsty ground,
34 A fruitful land into salt flats, *
because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
35 He changed deserts into pools of water *
and dry land into water-springs.
36 He settled the hungry there, *
and they founded a city to dwell in.
37 They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, *
and brought in a fruitful harvest.
38 He blessed them, so that they increased greatly; *
he did not let their herds decrease.
39 Yet when they were diminished and brought low, *
through stress of adversity and sorrow,
40 (He pours contempt on princes *
and makes them wander in trackless wastes)
41 He lifted up the poor out of misery *
and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.
42 The upright will see this and rejoice, *
but all wickedness will shut its mouth.
43 Whoever is wise will ponder these things, *
and consider well the mercies of the Lord.
Meditation:
“Isn’t that what friendship is all about: giving to each other the gift of our belovedness?”
— Henri Nouwen
Where do we need to offer and receive the gift of our belovedness?
How can we treat the earth as beloved?
Prayers
As the day lengthens, O Christ,
Teach us to walk in your love.
While we strive to be faithful in word and deed,
Teach us to love one another.
While we live as part of your creation,
Teach us to love this good earth.
While we offer our prayers this hour:
{name silently or aloud the intercessions and thanksgivings of our lives}
With grateful hearts,
Teach us to trust in your love.
Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, the air sings with songs of glory, water flashes silver with creation, and the forests bloom with leaves for healing nations: May your light and love fill our hearts and souls and minds, that we may share your love with the world. Amen.
Closing
As you have loved us,
may we love one another.
Virtual Chapel of St. Phoebe 