Loving God, Creator and Sustainer, You open Your hand,
and satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing.
And so we look to You whenever we are in need,
trusting in Your love and Your abundant goodness.
As trees planted by flowing streams, Your waters of grace nourish us
that we may bear fruits of love and peace, generosity and goodness,
kindness and compassion. May our roots go deep as we drink deeply from your life-giving stream.
God of mystery, deepen our awareness to untapped potential of buds forming within and grant us strength to risk blossoming, individually and congregationally.
Grant us the courage to release, in order for new life to emerge –
Grant us stillness to sit with you, open to what you long for us to see and to hear.
May your grace abound as we seek to live and move in the gentle current of spiritual growth.
Listening God, today we hear your invitation to come away and rest while,
to be attentive to mind, body, and spirit;
To attend to our relationship with You, creation, with others, and ourself.
We confess many things distract us – productivity, perfectionism….
Draw near to us as we draw nearer to you. Spirit of the Living God all afresh upon us and grant us rest.
Lord Jesus as You once fed the hungry crowds with five loaves and two small fish,
we ask that You would again fill those who are empty this day.
Pour out Your Spirit on all who hunger and thirst.
We pray for those who are physically hungry—whose stomachs are empty.
We think especially of the people who are facing critical food shortages;
who are suffering the effects of malnutrition and starvation;
and watching helplessly as loved ones die.
We pray for those who are empty emotionally—
who are lonely and long for companionship and love,
who are caught in the grip of depression,
or overwhelmed with grief.
May warm memories and the love and compassion of family and friends hold all who grieve.
Hear our prayer for those who are spiritually empty—
who are troubled, but don’t know where to turn;
who long for purpose and meaning, but don’t know where to look;
who need You, but do not yet know You.
Hear our prayer who stand in need of the flow of your healing.
God, we praise You for Your abundant gifts in our lives.
Pour out Your Spirit on us as we engage in important conversation today.
May we listen deeply and attentively to you and to one anther.
May our conversation be seasoned with grace and love.
We thank you and praise you, O God, that however we may thirst,
whatever we may need to satisfy our souls, You offer it freely and abundantly in Christ;
So we drink deep of the living water and, as we draw from your wells, we seek to pass the cup to others
who, like us, are thirsty for your grace. We offer our prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen