Author Archives: Rev. Cleo Graham

Power in Peace

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Park and Pray at 1:11 pm

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” John‬ ‭14:27‬ ‭‬‬

Almighty God, as each day begins, help me to be aware that there is power in the peace that you give me. Help me to hold onto this power and peace. Merciful God, help me to resist any temptation, apathy or tendency, that may cause me to relinquish it. O God, I call you at 1:11 pm and I prayerfully look to you to renew my power, refresh, restore and maintain my peace and my neighbor’s peace. At the end of the day, may I rest and sleep in peace and gratitude for the gift of power and contentment in Your Holy presence. In my Savior’s name. Amen.

Search Me,

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“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

LET’S PARK AND PRAY AT 1:11 pm

Search me, O God – deep within,

Know me – my heart, mind and soul,

Test me – examine me,

Know me – know my anxious thoughts,

See me – see my ways,

Lead me – Your way.

Receive me – my heart, my prayer,

and the prayers of those in need.

Praying in the Savior’s name. Amen

Aretha, Beauty, Virtuous & Excellent

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Dear God, thank you for blessing us with Aretha Franklin. Her gifted voice and powerful spirit continue to edify your name. Your teachings about love, respect, righteousness and more are woven in her songs. Her music represents a tapestry of life. Holy One, thank you for inspiring and equipping Aretha with a powerful voice, an instrument of love, peace, and healing. There’s no sitting still when Aretha, the Queen of Soul’s voice is heard. Her spirit filled voice propels us to rise, hold our heads high, reach beyond the sky. We remember her manner of praise in her life and song as an extravagant and awesome gift!

Thank you Almighty God for Aretha, who experienced your holy presence early and throughout her life. Her music reflected the times in which we live. Times when we shed tears and laughed with her! Aretha, the Queen of Soul, often grounded us in your Supreme Love, a Divine Love. Aretha’s life and her songs are also reflections of our joys and sorrows. Queen Aretha reminded us in her life and in her passing that still waters run deep. In the midst of troubled waters, there is hope. You are One Lord of all who is the Bridge, the Way Maker, the everlasting Savior who gives us Life, Breath, Pulse, and Passion. Aretha means Beauty; Virtuous; and Excellent! She lived her life as the Queen of Soul, who ministered to many souls. Aretha, the Queen of Heart whose music still tugs on our heartstrings. Aretha, gone but never forgotten.
Eternal God, receive her into your everlasting peace. In our Savior’s name. Amen.

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Say a Little Prayer

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I Say A Little Prayer

During the 1980’s I had the esteemed privilege to care for former Prisoners Of War or POWs while employed as a Nurse Practitioner at the VA Medical Center. I admired those POWs who represented less than 10 percent of my panel of 900 veterans. During my encounters with them I saw evidence of their bravery, humility, tolerance and gratitude. I listened as they shared their war stories. I examined their battle scars and assessed their intrinsic vulnerabilities. I found in them the highest form of resilience and perseverance. As we honor Senator John McCain, a former POW, whose life, sacrifices, contributions and legacy remind me of the former POWs in my care. McCain approached his terminal illness and poor prognosis like his military battles. Love for his family, friends, country and service dictated the course of his life. Like the former POWs in my care, John McCain charged into the battlefield of life each day to fulfill a greater mission, chart a more stable course, defend our freedoms and renew our hopes. He will be missed.

Although we are still recovering from the loss of Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, a mighty pillar, powerful spirit and a compelling witness! I imagine her greeting John with an inspirational song of praise and prayer profound enough to rock the heavens. Imagine hearing them sing this prayer. Imagine singing it with them in spirit.

“The moment I wake up. Before I put on my makeup I say a little prayer for you.”.

Imagine singing this prayer and praying for one another.

“I Say A Little Prayer”
The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little prayer for you
While combing my hair now
And wondering what dress to wear now
I say a little prayer for you

Forever and ever, you’ll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever and ever, we never will part
Oh, how I love you
Together, forever, that’s how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me

I run for the bus, dear
While riding I think of us, dear
I say a little prayer for you
At work I just take time
And all through my coffee break time
I say a little prayer for you

Writer(s): BACHARACH BURT F, DAVID HAL

Is It You O God?

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God, it’s me, I need you. Please meet me. I’ll show up at 1:11 pm. by the tree.

A Prayer at 1:11 pm

In the morning when I rise I hear the birds sing, I see sunshine. I feel the dawn of a new day. Is it you O God?

Show your presence in the midst of today’s news. Gracious God where are you when leaders attempt to demean and demoralize your people?

Merciful God make your presence known when displaced children cry for their mother whose trauma is disorienting and unbearable. Almighty God show up in the bureaucratic swamp and rescue those who live in violent prone areas. Set the captives free, release the victims of mass incarceration.

Holy One, grant justice and free the spirit of natives and slave descendants who are still bound to a master. Creator God release new seeds, rain down cleansing water and a fresh anointing of your oil and daily bread. Fill us with your presence in every step, every space, every breath and every heart beat. Loving God, give us a new song that leaves a lasting impression.

May we be like trees, they stand firm against the winds and trying times. O God, settle us down so we may experience your loving presence. Lord hear our prayers.

We Glorify you and we pray without ceasing in our Savior’s Name. Amen

Are You Hot & Thirsty?

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Lately, it has been so hot! Scorching temperatures, hot topics, heated conversations and shifting emotions. We look for relief in cool places. Still, we are hot and thirsty. We call on our Creator to fix it! Oh Lord, soothe our bodies and quench our thirst.

Let’s Park and Pray at 1:11 pm this pray by the Psalmist

“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced.” Psalm‬ ‭63:1-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

http://bible.com/111/psa.63.1-11.niv

Prayer for the elections in Zimbabwe, July 30, 2018 | Gifts in Open Hands

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There is a week until the elections in Zimbabwe. Please pray for this so beautiful, so battered country. The world rejoiced with citizens dancing in the street in Harare last November when Mugabe left office. His near-endless violent incumbency in office did little to change the repressive white-minority-led leadership that preceded it. God’s people live…
— Read on giftsinopenhands.wordpress.com/2018/07/23/prayer-for-the-elections-in-zimbabwe-july-30-2018/

Thank you Maren Tirabassi for this post

It’s 1:11 p.m! Where Are You?

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It’s 1:11 p.m! Where are you praying?

It was a sunny day when I parked under this tree to pray at 1:11 p.m. Here’s what happened.

After praying I looked down and the ground was covered with blackberries!

I looked up at the trees above my head and I snatched a handful of this sweet fruit.

I looked up at the trees above my head and I snatched a handful of this sweet fruit.

I stayed under the covering of these beautiful trees and I enjoyed these gifts.

I embraced the sunlight that pierced through the branches. I stayed and prayed.

Lord, I give thanks with a grateful heart for our time together. Thank you for your grace. Your blessings are unconditional and your love is boundless. Your Fruits of the Spirit nourishes the body, mind and spirit. Lord help your spiritually malnourished children receive you and use your food according to your will. Bless all with a constant flow of compassion for all your children. May serving you with passion be our first and last meal of each day.

Parking and Praying at 1:11 p.m. in our Savior’s name. Amen