Reflection and Prayer

Park and Pray at 1:11 pm

Dear God,

Like a candle that burns all day and night, Rev. Dr. Daehler Hayes’ memory is a beacon of hope that shines bright.

There’s so many stories about Pastor Daehler.

He made us laugh. He gave encouragement and warnings seasoned with Grace. Thank God, for Pastor Hayes, especially for all that he offered the people of Haiti.

Daehler often gave good advice and a lasting impression.

He was God’s Servant, our Friend, a Hero, Leader, Pastor, Shining Star and most of all a Blessing.

Merciful God, comfort his family, and all who grieve.

Thank you Almighty God for the promise of eternal peace.

In our Savior’s Name. Amen

An Interfaith Service of
Remembrance and Thanksgiving
October 26, 2019 at 11:00 am
Central Congregational Church UCC

O God, who will take his place? Who will take the place of one who was wrapped in courage?

Courage cannot be bought or sold

Outgoing friendly, socially confident

Understands issues and remedies

Reliable well grounded, dependable

Attitude feelings, moods are stable

Grateful family legacy, service, living

Empathetic to grassroots’ needs

Let us continue to park and pray.

Dear God, we park and pray giving thanks for Representative Elijah Cummings, his life, his gifts and all that he shared with so many of us. He showed himself as a man with a tremendous amount of courage despite having many hardships and obstacles. He will be sadly missed.

O God, who will take his place?

Send forth one who is willing to give time, talents and treasures.

One willing to work hard for You and in Your name.

One who loves to do justice, loves mercy and who loves to walk humbly with You, Almighty God.

We give thanks. We receive Your grace and mercy knowing Elijah’s work is done. His rest and eternal peace has begun. In Your Holy Name. Amen

“I think now we have to pray for his health,” Ms. Pelosi told reporters afterward. “This was a very serious meltdown on the part of the president.” She said Mr. Trump seemed “very shaken up” by the cascade of criticism.

Mr. Trump said it was the other way around. “Nancy Pelosi needs help fast!” he wrote on Twitter. “She had a total meltdown in the White House today. It was very sad to watch. Pray for her, she is a very sick person!”
(The N.Y. Times, 10/16/19)

Let Us Park and Pray at 1:11

Almighty God, America’s leaders are publicly asking us to pray for their adversary. It seems odd given their tense relationship.

A Call to Pray is an amazing request from our leaders. Surely, God, You inspired them. You’re up to something! It’s always good!

Loving God, we thank you for those leaders who are willing to receive the love, hope, peace and renewal that You offer.

Thank You for Leaders who are faithful and forgiving. Leaders who exercise humility, possess integrity, honor, civility and love for You, our country and humanity.

Merciful God we pray for healing for those who struggle with their ethical, moral, impulsive decisions and behaviors.

We pray for our leaders whose decisions seriously impact lives in detrimental ways.

We pray for those who have meltdowns and who refuse to enter into the places where God may guide them.

Lord, God we pray for our country’s leaders, especially those who occupy the highest offices in our nation. Help them to be truthful and transparent.

Great God, help us make America great for all people. May all recognize Your undeniable power to answer all prayers as we pray:

Our Father who art in heaven. Hallow be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sinned against us. Lead us not into temptation. Deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen

Dear God,

As we prepare for a new school year, may it be a fresh start for all.

We give you thanks for those who have the gifts to teach, preach, reach out, encourage and grow leaders.

We pray for all children, students, teachers, administrators and all who promote and support the learning experience. Keep us safe and bless us with your Peace daily.

We praise you Almighty God, for in the midst of fear and brokenness there is the Light of your presence shining on and through us.

Give us eyes to see your work, ears to hear your still speaking voice, hands and feet to spread your Love, Joy and Peace.

Give us each day our daily bread as a fresh start and renewed strength for our journey.

Receive our prayers O God in our Savior’s name. Amen 🙏🏾.

Drawing by Adelya who hears through her eyes, hands and heart.

Praying the Psalms with Maren

O God, I hear you speak through the message in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24.

You call us to do better and to be better people. To unite in Spirit and to be mindful of your holy presence. Boldly, we lift our eyes to the hills, the heavens, and beyond. Our help comes from you, O God.
O God Help Us!
Recognize those who work hard on our behalf. Those who encourage and guide us to do your will. May we appreciate and share our loving affection for them.
O God Help Us!
Get along with one another. Inspire us to do our part to help our neighbors in need.
O God Help Us!
Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs, and to be careful that we don’t snap at each other. Help us to look for the best in each other, and do our best to bring it out.
O God Help Us!
Pray without ceasing; giving thanks to You, O God in times of troubles and blessings.
O God Help Us!
To embrace your Spirit, Words and Love. To go where You lead us and spread your Peace.
O God, the Almighty One who makes us holy and whole, unite us in body, mind, spirit and soul.
In Christ’s Name. Amen

I found this prayer in my collection and it is a much needed prayer today.

Please join me. Park and Pray at 1:11 pm.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

Today is my birthday! I wonder about my birth day. You know, the day that I was born. So, I Call the Almighty One who was present at my birth.
O God, You are Great! You are Good! You are here!
All the time and everywhere!
Gracious God, I park and pray early this morning before the birds awaken, spread their wings and utter their first breath tones. O God, I am in awe of your presence and power as I hear rhythmic pulsations.

It’s my birth day, my first breath, the Ruah breath that breathed life within me. Loving God, your breath is like a slow wind entering my nose and moving down to the soles of my feet. I am awakened by the fresh sounds of a primal cry and joyful musical strings. I see a bright light. I feel my life awaken to your presence and welcoming me to this new day. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made!” I am a nameless baby girl until someone said, “Cleo,” and I smiled.

Today, O God, I give thanks for the blessings of a new day as I celebrate my birthday. I eat Your daily bread. I drink from Your cup of blessings made from pressed grapes. Its the salvation that quenches my spiritual thirst. I bear witness to Your presence and glorify You in word and deed. Still, I am a work in progress. I celebrate the gift of prayer each day at 1:11 pm. I thank You O God, for Your grace, love, Spirit and so much more. Your grace is the gas in my tank. Your love is the life blood flowing through my body. Your Spirit is the seed of my contentment. Thank God, for another birthday celebration of life!

O God, You are Great! You are Good! You are here! All the time and everywhere! Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow! Amen.

May, our spirit rise, walk and pray each day while carrying our cross, enduring its burden until injustice and oppression are dismantled, righteousness, peace, equity, and prosperity are real for all..

May we embrace the Light of God’s Holy presence, Christ’s ways, redemption and salvation, and the power of the Holy Spirit that inspires us to declare and share love. In our Savior’s Name. Amen

Park and Pray at 1:11 for the New Zealand Community. Join us in the spirit of Love, Peace, Justice and Unity. Shine a Light 💡 in the midst of darkness. Lift up your face and call on God who overcomes darkness. Then, Pray at 1:11 pm:

Great God, Magnificent Savior, Holy Spirit Come! Your children are crying for your people are in a spiritual battle. We are struggling to share our love with one another. But, evil comes to turn off our Light even while we pray. Come Holy Spirit, shine your light 💡 on us right now. Renew our strength, heal our brokenness and mend our wounded hearts. Inspire us with unbending faith and power to overcome evil. Strengthen our ability to end hatred through our own acts of love. We Pray for Healing. Holy One make your presence known especially during the aftermath of the storm of hatred in Christchurch, New Zealand. Comfort the broken-hearted and dry our tears. Bless us with the Light of your Holy presence. “Give us this day our daily Bread 🍞 and deliver us from evil. For you are the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.”

“Stay close to our lawmakers. Remind them to trust always in the multitude of your mercy. Deliver them from the mire of division and despair as you lead them to your desired destination,” U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry C. Black

Chaplain Black prays, inspires, advises and leads a weekly Bible Study with a diverse group of U.S Senators and Representatives. He authored several books that speak about the power of prayer. He holds impeccable credentials. He is admired by many as one who is truly God anointed and blessed.

I met him at a recent event where he was the guest speaker.

He spoke candidly about prayer, his spiritual practice since childhood. I invited Chaplain Black and others to Park and Pray at 1:11 pm with us.

Yes, somebody is praying in the U.S. Congress. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Representative Cicillini and others agreed to Park and Pray at 1:11 pm.

The Bible reminds us to go to God in prayer. “You have not because you ask not.” James 4:2

Let’s park, stop and pray at 1::11 pm together:

Holy One, Father and Mother to us all. We thank you for being present with us. You are our Light, our source of Strength, Purpose and Reason for being. Help us to walk in your ways and Your will. In Our Savior’s name. Amen

https://www.courier-tribune.com/news/20181227/congress-trump-basically-give-up-on-ending-partial-shutdown-until-2019

I am convinced there is a God somewhere, everywhere and always present.
Prayer for the New Year 2019

Gracious God, as I look upon 2018, I’m thankful for your spiritual hand that guided me to and fro. You never you let go of me. There were times when I was troubled by some of the things I heard and saw in the world you created. I was saddened by those who passed and yet, your presence and promises gave me hope. Some of my choices stole my joy and made me weary. There were times when I couldn’t complete what you inspired me to do in 2018.
O God, I parked and prayed at 1:11 pm and throughout the day. You reminded me to “Be Still and know that You are God.”
Almighty God, thank you for carrying me, holding and comforting me while I regained my strength. Thank you for your Peace as I remember those who have passed. Thank you for your Grace, your Gift of unmerited favor. Without question, you Almighty God are life and love in its fullest and untampered form.
Help me to see your Light through the darkest clouds, beyond the walls of injustice and over the tattered bridges, built to join all God’s children as one body. Help me to make better choices, to be a better steward of time and resources that you have graciously given me. At the end of each day, lead me to restful sleep. For this past year, filled with tests, trials, and triumphs I thank you. For blessings in the new year full of mysteries and promises, I thank you. For life, love, and presence, I thank you. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.

WAITING back stage. WATCHING televised show. SINGING on stage at Trinity Repertory Theatre. ADVENT! We Wait, Watch, and Share the story. He’s coming! The CHRIST CHILD comes again. He awakens our spirit! O Come, O Come Emmanuel, God with us.

When you sing you pray twice!

Let us sing and Park and Pray at 1:11

O come, O come, Emmanuel

And ransom captive Israel

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appear

Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel

 

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan’s tyranny

From depths of Hell Thy people save

And give them victory o’er the grave

Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, o Israel

 

O come, Thou Day-Spring

Come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night

And death’s dark shadows put to flight

Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, o Israel.

“Sometimes the sun, unkindly hot, My garden makes a desert spot, Sometimes a blight upon the tree Takes all my fruit away from me; And then with throes of bitter pain Rebellious passions rise and swell; And so I sing and all is well.” — Paul Laurence Dunbar.L

Almighty God,

Thank you for coming when my heart aches from my swelling desires, my heart feels pressed, distressed, burdened by inflated needs. But God, Thank you for answering prayers and blessing me. I will praise you in song, I will thank you in deed, and I will praise and thank you no matter what I need.

God, we thank you for Light, water, seeds and a harvest of earthly blessings. We thank you for challenging us to trust you as we experience growing pains. We thank you for your Word and your promises. Help us to be steadfast as good stewards caring for your creation. Help us to be strong and wise, patient and faithful as your servants who trust you to fulfill your plan for us. God of justice, love and mercy, may we walk humbly with you today and always. In your Holy Name, Amen.

Let us Park and Pray at 1:11 pm daily

“God of all wholeness and peace, our world yearns for your presence.  We call out to you day after day, wondering why we do not see you and why we feel so abandoned.  And yet, time and time again, you remind us that we only need to look around us to find you.  Help us to look with clarity and compassion into the faces of your children, no matter how unimportant they might seem, so that we might find you there.

Help us to see you in the faces of those who mourn.  As news breaks of the deaths of seven children and many others suffering from a virus outbreak at a health center in New Jersey, United States, remind us of the deep pain of those around the world who have experienced the loss of a child.  Open our ears to listen and open our arms to comfort.

Help us to see you in the faces of those who suffer.  As we hear about inhumane conditions in the prisons of Madagascar and the forced “re-education” of Uighur Muslims in China, fill us with a thirst for justice for all people who are abused due to poverty, gender identity, and all other vulnerabilities.

Help us to see you in the faces of those who are being affected by disasters.  As a major hurricane makes landfall in Mexico keep survivors of all disasters, both natural and human-made, safe from harm, and help us to keep them in our hearts.

Help us to see you in the faces of those we consider our enemies.  As the President of the United States threatens to withdraw aid from countries that allow refugees and asylum seekers to travel across their borders toward the United States, remind us of the humanity of all people, regardless of their skin color, language, and country of origin.  Remind us that everyone, from the most powerful leader of a nation to the most vulnerable and impoverished of refugees, is a beloved child of God.

Help us to see you in the faces of all who are grief stricken, discouraged and ambivalent by the recent Pittsburgh Synagogue Massacre, where hatred dominated. You remind us we are all made in the image of God.  Remind us of our connection to all of your children as members of your universal family.  Fill us with your love and compassion, so that we might act as your hands, feet, and voices in the world.  Make your presence known and felt in all places, so that your kingdom might grow to the ends of the earth.”

Amen.

“World In Prayer” Adapted

http://worldinprayer.org/

It was 1:11pm when Rev. Dr. Kathy Henry prayed a blessing for our meal at my Sacred Heart Academy High School Reunion. It was amazing, unplanned and timely.

I have been indoors, outdoors, in stores, restaurants, in the pool, and even overseas in a ship.

I’ve been blessed to be with some of you in body and spirit at 1:11 pm. Thank you for being a prayer partner.

The other day, Earnest Cox, a spiritually gifted musician, educator, administrator and I prayed at 1:11 pm.

Sometimes, I happened to pray at incredible places such as a 111 address.

One day, I was in a hurry to find a parking space on a crowded street. I pulled into the last space. An amazing thing happened.

Friends! I “Parked and Prayed at 1:11pm.” and I was behind a 111 car! As I caught my breath, I expressed my thanks for signs of God’s presence and nudges.

Please, Pray with me.

Dear Lord, thank you! Your Gracious Loving Spirit, watches over our going out, our coming, our joys, frustrations, sorrows and victories. Bless our intentions and hear our prayers when we Park and Pray at 1:11 pm, whenever and wherever we pray. In our Savior’s name. Amen

Are you tongue tied or uncertain about what or how to pray. Try this Prayer prompt calendar. There’s a difference Prayer theme each day. Remember, Prayer is about your heart, your intentions and your desire to have a relationship with Spirit.

Prayer is about PEACE

Presence with God

Entering God’s presence

Asking, Answering and Allowing God

Calling, Connecting & Communicating God

Expecting God

Seek God’s Guidance so you may.

Let us pray.

God help me to

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 *

In my Savior’s Name. Amen

Thai cave rescue: 8 boys rescued on Monday, still inside 4 more boys and 1 coach.

A river baptism in the South, depicted in a postcard that was mailed in 1912. Source: Black Postcards

“When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”” Luke‬ ‭3:21-22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let Us Pray

Lord we thank you for the opportunity to bathe in the beauty of your holiness. We thank you for Mother Earth, her rich fragrance, her cleansing and soothing waters that refreshes and renews us.

We thank you Almighty God for washing our stains and pouring out blessings we hope to receive. Yet, we hardly conceive and believe that we will achieve these gifts. For we are blessed by your presence and blessed because of your loving grace.

Thank you Father for sheltering us from the storms that threaten to drown us and overtake our hope. Thank Merciful God for carrying us through murky waters when our fear is high and our confidence is low.

O Lord baptize us in the spiritual waters that are present and part our life journey. Fresh water, still water that sits on the waste and rubble that weighs us down.

Holy One, restore our faith and trust in the unseen Divine Spirit that parts the seas, hems the high tides and guides us above the turbulent waves in our lives. Gracious God we pray for all who are grieving, all who are fearful and all who need assurances that we are not drowning. Just as we are lowered into unknown waters, we rise drenched, we rise with fresh eyes and we rise as if out of the womb.

We open our mouths and cry out ABBA! MaMa! ABBA! We cry Alleluia!

Through our tears we awaken as drenched souls ready to live for your glory. With our wet bodies we claim our purpose and connect with Your will. We are determined to live as your servants. Servants of the Most High God!

Glory to God! Glory to God! To God Be the Glory! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

 Heaven & Earth Declare the Glory of God

Prayer Partner &  Artist: Barbara Whatmough

Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone? And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NASB)

Reflection:

I can’t imagine my life without prayer. I would feel spiritually naked. Appearing naked in public is not on my bucket list of things to do. Prayer offers an invisible layer of protection. It is an anchor and a parachute especially during unexpected times in my life. Imagine feeling like a flat tire or a deflated balloon. Prayer lifts, fills, strengthens and relieves burdens that weigh us down. Praying is a way to seek divine help, give thanks and celebrate God’s goodness. 

Jesus often prayed, in solitude and with others. Having a prayer partner may strengthen one’s prayer time and relationship with God. Imagine driving driving a car. One foot controls the pedal, the other foot controls the brake while God’s hands rest on the stirring wheel. It’s like a cord of  three strands that is not broken.

Let us pray: God, we thank you for the opportunity to call on you anytime and any place. You hear our prayers and answer us. Thank you for being with us and keeping us in your loving care. Your wisdom and guidance is a shield of protection. You bless us with your constant presence. You prepare us as your servants. You mend our brokenness and repair the tangled relationships in our lives. You soothe our pain and give us peace. You make us unmoveable, steadfast, faithful and faith filled. You ask us to love you, love one another, pray and live as your servant children. Loving God, thank you for calling us to partner with you like one of three strands bound together as a cord. Help us to answer your call daily and rejoice. The heavens declare the glory of God! In Your Holy Name. Amen.