The Human Agenda

Morning Prayer - February 9, 2022 9 am on Zoom

Morning Prayer February 5, 2022, 9 am
The Martyrs of Japan
Zoom Meeting ID: 833 4666 6852
Passcode: 105732

1540s Jesuit and Franciscan missionaries introduce Christianity to Japan
1597 in Nagasaki, first martyrdoms by crucifixion of 26 Christians (February 5th)
1630 Christianity officially outlawed in Japan
1850 missionaries returning to Japan discover the “Hidden Christians”

Opening Litany
God of all people and the whole of creation, make us into who you have created us to be. Make us your hands, your feet, your eyes, your lips, your body in the world. Spirit of Peace, reconcile us, connect us to yourself, to each other. You are the source of our healing and hope, for if one is hurt, all of us are hurt. Clothe us, your body in the world, with your love, mercy and grace. Amen

God of Faithfulness, you bless those who are persecuted. Strengthen those who suffer for the sake of conscience. When they are accused, save them from speaking in hate; when they are rejected, save them from bitterness; when they are imprisoned, save them from despair. Give grace to respect their witness and to discern the truth, that our society may be cleansed and strengthened, for the sake of our merciful and righteous judge, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather (ELW 530)
Here, O Lord, your servants gather, hand we link with hand;
Looking toward our Savior’s cross, joined in love we stand.
As we seek the realm of God, we unite to pray:
Jesus, savior, guide our steps, for you are the Way.

Many are the tongues we speak, scattered are the lands,
yet our hearts are one in God, one in love’s demands.
Even in darkness hope appears, calling age and youth:
Jesus, teacher, dwell with us, for you are the Truth.

Nature’s secrets open wide, changes never cease.
Where, oh where, can weary souls find the source of peace?
Unto all those sore distressed, torn by endless strife:
Jesus, healer, bring your balm, for you are the Life.

Grant, O God, an age renewed, filled with deathless love;
help us as we work and pray, send us from above
truth and courage, faith and pow’r, needed in our strife:
Jesus, master, be our Way, be our Truth, our Life.

(The tune recalls traditional court music,
and the text written by a Japanese Methodist minister.)
Reading
“To me death is purification Godward. The life after death I leave entirely to God. I do not trouble myself much about the question as to whether the soul is mortal or immortal. If only God lives I am content to die. If life is God’s gift, is not death, which is one of the variations of life, also the work of His hand? Death cannot be a victor over me. Through death I am a victor Godward. Nay, God is ever victorious over death. He tramples it under His feet.”
---Toyohiko Kagawa
Comments about Christianity in Japan
Silence for three minutes
Reflective Conversation

Prayer
With the whole people of God in all places on this planet, let us pray for the entire human family, especially those in need, and for all God’s creation. When one part of the body of Christ hurts, the whole-body hurts. As we listen to people who are harmed by racism, we call to you, open our hearts, O God. As we reflect on our daily interactions with people and communities of color, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
For Afghan refugees arriving in the United States and for all persons struggling to find a secure home. we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
For all affected by flooding and landslides in Brazil; for the displaced, the grieving, and all providing assistance and support, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
For the work of the United Nations Security Council and for all who work for peaceful relationships between nations, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
For the safety and wellbeing of all Olympic athletes; for the host city, Beijing, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
For peace and security among Historically Black Colleges and Universities, communities facing bomb threats this past week, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
For equitable distribution and effective use of N95 masks and COVID-19 home tests, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
For those who celebrate the Lunar New Year around the world, may peace and kindness expand, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
During Black History month may we all open our minds and our hearts to better understand the truth about the past and recommit to our vision of a more beloved community today and tomorrow, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
Sovereign God, your Son Jesus lived within the structures of society even as he spoke truth to those in power and challenged systems of oppression. Empower us to be courageous disciples and responsible citizens. Grant that our life in the public realm be grounded in love for our neighbors, care for the most vulnerable in our midst, and respect for the common life we share, we call to you, open our hearts, O God.
Holy and merciful God, as your people we recommit ourselves to loving one another as you have loved us. Prepare us for this time of listening and discovery. We pray in the name of the one who has made us one, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, we are bold to pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.
Blessing
Let us bless the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Almighty God, the Father, the + Son, and the Holy Spirit bless and preserve us.
Amen
This liturgy is adapted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship
Copyright 2006 ELCA. Published by Augsburg Fortress
Adapted by David E. Nelson D.Min.

Crazy Horse

Morning Prayer Crazy Horse – 1840-September 5, 1877 September 4, 2021

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Meeting ID: 833 4666 6852
Passcode: 105732

I am a beloved child of God.
Your mercies are new every morning.

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light. Give thanks for your life and your strength. Give thanks for your food and give thanks for the joy of living. And if you see no reason for giving thanks, rest assured the fault is in yourself.” Native American Sioux Indian

A Psalm by Ed Hays
O Divine Gift-giver, I stand beneath the endless waterfall
of your abundant gifts to me.
I thank you especially for the blessings of life,
the most precious of all your gifts to me.
I thank you, Ever-generous One,
for clothing to wear,
for food and drink to nourish my body,
for all the talents and skills
that you have bestowed upon me.
I thank you for the many joys of my life,
for family and friends,
for work that gives to me a sense of purpose
and invests my life with meaning.
I thank you as well
for the sufferings and trails of my life,
which are also gifts
and which together with my mistakes
are among my most important teachers.
Grant that I may never greet a new day
without the awareness of some gift
for which to give thanks.
And may constant thanksgiving
be my song of perpetual praise to you.

“Ten Learnings From Crazy Horse” – Written and Shared by David Nelson
Silence for three minutes
Reflective conversation

Then pray these intercessions:
A brief silence.

God of grace and God of glory, for all houses of worship; sustain all volunteers during these autumn months; inspire our worship; and teach us how to pray.
Our hope is in you, O God:
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Creator of the stars of night, for the earth we pray: lower global temperatures; provide a healthy harvest; protect the habitats of wild animals; and train us to care for your creation.
Our hope is in you, O God:
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Mighty Fortress, for the nations we pray: protect the world from tyranny and violence; guide our elected officials; look with mercy on the people of Afghanistan; lead our nation toward the right use of our military; and bring peace to all.
Our hope is in you, O God:
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Hope of the world, in this time of pervasive adversity we pray: preserve us from storms and wildfires; protect us from terrorists; and wean us from the ways of prejudice.
Our hope is in you, O God:
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Rock of ages, for laborers we pray: grant a just wage to the employed and meaningful jobs to the unemployed; and shape our society to honor all residents of our land.
Our hope is in you, O God:
O Lord, hear my prayer.
O God of love, for those who are poor, we pray: feed the hungry; house all without homes; assist the powerless; and form us into habits of generosity.
Our hope is in you, O God:
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Healer of our every ill, for those who are suffering we pray: heal those who have contracted COVID-19; embrace those with mental illness; open up opportunities for persons who are deaf; and hear our cries for those we name here:
Our hope is in you, O God:
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Mothering God, for ourselves we pray: take away our fears; and come to save us.
Our hope is in you, O God:
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Eternal Father, strong to save, for the grace shown to our ancestors in the faith, we praise you. For life at the end of time in your presence with all the saints, we pray.
Our hope is in you, O God:
O Lord, hear my prayer.
Receive our prayers, O God, for the sake of our beautiful Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever.
Amen.

Then speak the Blessing:
Almighty God bless us,
defend us from all evil,
and bring us to everlasting life.