A Prayer for Light-Bearers

Posted on February 2, 2023 by revlisad

You are the Light of the World by Robbie Quinn

Matthew 5:14 – Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.”

Creating Light, Redeeming Light, Sustaining Light

We seek your presence and your love this day. We come from many places, from many backgrounds, from many stories. And now, drawn by your light, we gather together with you here. In our joy and in our sorrow, your embracing light meets us, holds us, and calls us beloved.

What are you grateful for? Take a moment to name your gratitude today.

Thank you, Lord, for your light.

What is heavy on your heart? Take a moment to name the needs of our world, our community, and ourselves.

Thank you, Lord, for your light.

Drawn by the light of God, may we open ourselves to be filled with a love that transforms, that makes whole, that inspires, so that we may carry light and love where there is sorrow and pain.

You have called us to be light-bearers. Let us not hide it or hoard it. A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. Tend in us hearts that give with passion.

Thank you Holy One, Light of the World, Word made flesh, Jesus our Savior, who taught us to pray, saying:
Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer

A huge thank you for Rev. Macon Armistead for permission to post his prayer.
Matthew 5:13-20 is read on Year A — Epiphany — Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

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A Prayer for Light-Bearers © 2023 Macon Armistead
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting without asking permission. It’s always a treat to hear from you if you’re using it. Leave a comment for information and permission to publish this work in a book, blog,, etc.

Dear Rummage Sale Volunteers

Posted on January 21, 2016 by revlisad

rummage sale stock photo Dear rummage sale volunteers,
Thank you for your service and sacrifice for this event. You are making blessings possible.

Thank you for welcoming our community with peace and grace even when you are tired or they are tired, when you are stressed or they are stressed, when you are cranky or they are cranky. Be Jesus. Many have never met him.

Thank you for helping us to live simpler lives, for helping us share, for meeting the needs of many who shop this way all the time. Be Jesus. Many have never met him.

Thank you for being present to what’s going on around you- to noticing the look in someone’s eyes, the shuttered sigh, the weariness, the distraction, the grasping. Take time for conversation. How may I help you today? How may I pray for you today? Take your time. Let it be a different experience. They may think they’ve come for a bargain, but God has other plans. You are a part of that plan. Be Jesus. Many have never met him.

You being human, being grace, being Christ, will be a surprise and a healing balm to all who come here. Your prayers and presence have opened the doors to the very presence of God. Make space in you for others to sense it and be drawn to Jesus through it.

The joy of the Lord is your strength.
The hope of Jesus is your purpose.

Thanks be to God and thank you my dear sisters and brothers. – Lisa <><

The 2016 TED Talk Experiment – Week 1

Posted on January 2, 2016 by revlisad

I’m trying an experiment in 2016. Maybe you’d like to try it with me.

Here’s where I am
I’m tired of the spin. I’m tired of ideas, news, and entertainment really being one long sales pitch for profit or power.

I’m longing for creativity, curiosity, and inspiration. I’m in search of passionate people willing to speak to the truth and complexity of living with a heart of hope. I want to hear from authentic humans who are in the trenches working for the greater good.

I think I’ve found them in the TED community.

“TED is a global community, welcoming people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world. We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. On TED.com, we’re building a clearinghouse of free knowledge from the world’s most inspired thinkers — and a community of curious souls to engage with ideas and each other, both online and at TED and TEDx events around the world, all year long.”

TED’s been around for 30 years. I’ve heard about them and even watched a couple of talks, but I’ve never spent any concentrated time mining the good stuff. So….

Here’s the plan
Watch 5 enthusiastic, inspiring TED Talk presenters a week for a year.
Apply and share the goodness.

Here’s what I chose for week 1

How I’m Preparing to Get Alzheimer’s
Alanna Shaikh
TEDGlobal, June 2012
My dad has Alzheimer’s. I clicked this link via a Facebook post. The idea for the experiment came from the goodness and vulnerability of this speaker.

How to Stay Calm When You Know You’ll be Stressed
Daniel Levitin
TEDGlobal, September 2015
Ok talk. They won’t all rock my world.

Looks aren’t everything. Believe me, I’m a model.
Cameron Russell
TEDxMidAtlantic, October 2012
Where was this talk when I was a teenager! So much more than a talk on body image. Cameron Russell calls out the legacy of privilege.

How to Make Stress Your Friend
Kelly McGonigal
TEDGlobal, June 2013
Game changing talk for me. How you view stress changes everything and I had a destructive view. Will be watching this one again.

The Transformative Power of Classical Music
Benjamin Zander
TED2008, February 2008
Benjamin Zander’s enthusiasm and joy are infectious. His talk is a parable for so many other aspects of life, including leadership, perspective, and renewal efforts.

Release and Rest, a Prayer for the Stressed

Posted on October 26, 2015 by revlisad

For yourself…
Merciful God,
our Peace and our Hope
Shelter me, your beloved, beneath your healing wings
Raise me to the safety of your breast
so I may hear your heart
Hold me
Hide me
Help me to release and rest
release and rest
release and rest

Offered for another…
Merciful God,
our Peace and our Hope
Shelter your beloved NAME beneath your healing wings
Raise NAME to the safety of your breast
so she may hear your heart
Hold her
Hide her
Help her to release and rest
release and rest
release and rest

Release and Rest © 2015 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

Prayer: Jesus, Help Me Breathe

Posted on September 2, 2014 by revlisad

Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust by Cheesysteele

Matthew 6:27 NRSV
Jesus said, “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life?”

Jesus, help me breathe
My flimsy barricades of control are failing
Again
Worries pressing in
Closer
Closer
Closer
Stifling
Searing
I’m suffocating in ashen dreams
Help me breathe

Help me believe
All my failure and foolishness
Brokenness and indulgence
Are made whole in your greater grace
Help me breathe

Help me trust you Jesus
And help me trust all you provide
New Life
Perspective
Truth
Hope
Peace
Breathe

What is your will?
What is your desire?
You make the way
You are The Way
Breathe
Breathe
Breathe

John 20:19-22 NRSV
Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

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Jesus, Help Me Breathe © 2014 Lisa Ann Moss Degrenia
You are welcome to use this work in a worship setting with proper attribution.
Please contact Lisa for information and permission to publish this work in any form.

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