Seasonal Prayers

Spring arrives in Northern Michigan bit by bit, the snowy skies give way to more and more sunshine. As the days begin to grow in length, the temperatures inch upward and our spirits are lifted along with the breeze. Awakening from the winter's slumber, the grass and trees begin to perk and green up. Flowers peek from their underground beds and reach their heads toward heaven - a lesson for us all! Let us rejoice in the rebirth of our Lord, in the rebirth of our world, in Spring and all it's glory!

A RAINBOW PRAYER—A BLESSING PRAYER AFTER A STORM OR A TIME OF DANGER

Lord and Divine Protector, when Your trustful servant Noah came forth from the ark, after a long and difficult storm, he built an altar where he and his family gave praise to You, their God, for saving them.

Your holy rainbow was both a sign and a shrine for that prayer of gratitude.

We, like Noah and his family, come now to thank You for protecting us in a time of danger. That danger has now passed, and we prayerfully give thanks that You, our Lord, have heard our prayers and have kept us safe within Your holy hands.

Our sacrifice will be this lifting up of our hearts in gratitude and in praise of You.

We thank You not only for safety from harm but for this opportunity to place all our trust in You, our Lord and Savior. This peril, even with its dark danger, has been for us a source of renewed devotion and of dedication to each other and to You.

Lord, You are a God who brings forth good things from the dark times of life. From that which is bad and ugly, You create a rainbow of the good and the beautiful. We pause, and, in silence, thank You for Your protection and blessings in this danger that has passed.

pause for silent prayer

Blessed are You, Lord our God, who saves those who trust in You.

Amen+

BLESSING PRAYER FOR FARM ANIMALS

O Supreme Spirit of Creation, from Your divine heart has come forth a parade of pastoral animals — sheep, cows, horses, pigs, chickens, fish and foul — in such variety and is such beauty that we daily marvel at Your creative imagination.

We praise You, that even these creatures have been blessed by You with a purpose in Your plan of the universe. You have blessed them with beauty and with instincts that obey Your natural law. May these creatures be protected from all disease and harm. May they grow to completion and maturity so as to serve the needs of others.

As some will soon surrender their life that we might have food and support, may they call forth from us a desire to share our life for others. As we, with gentleness and love, care for these Your creatures, may the food that they will provide be free of all that is harmful and nourish us in mind, body and spirit.

Help us to be patient, Lord, when they are slow to follow our instructions. Help us never to treat them as dumb animals or as mere objects for trade and profit.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, who did give us these creatures as companions, as a source of feasting and celebrating and also to provide us with daily food.

May Your holy care be upon these creatures which we bless in Your name: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen+

BLESSING PRAYER FOR A GARDEN

Lord of Creation, who planted Your own garden called Eden, come and bless this soil which is to be our garden.

All that dies becomes earth, and so it lives again. May this garden soil be both womb and tomb, a home for death and life, so that seeds of living things—of plants, of food and flowers—may die and resurrect here in our garden.

Ancient earth, our mystical mother, teach us, your children, that all things die to nourish life.

Gentle earth, be blessed with our love as we work in you. Make us mindful that one day you will be our final bed of love and ecstasy.

Amen+