First Light Fellowship

God,
Today feels beautiful and somewhat chaotic already. Help us to show up fully and to keep our eyes aligned with your perspective. Help us to see the people we interact with as you do, as unique individuals trying to figure out how they fit in this world. Help us to strive for connections and to do our best to love well. Help us appreciate others and also ourselves- the efforts made, the growth that has taken place, the journey to come. Let us appreciate the complexity of this day, the beauty and the chaos, and see you with us in the midst of it all. Amen.

God,
You are constant and reliable.
You see beauty in the most ordinary things and people. Show me that beauty.
The chaos of the moment doesn’t phase you. Help me to not be reliant on my circumstances to be happy or find joy, but to be able to see the good and be joyous in all circumstances- even the really challenging ones.
You recognize the gift of each person and through your presence empower them to live their potential. Let me follow your example and treasure those you put in my life this week. Let me inspire them and be inspired by them.
You love without limit and expectation. Let me strive to love people well this week.
God let me see your presence and be more present myself because if it.

Amen.

God, thank you for this amazing web of connection you have blessed me with- for family that love me unconditionally and friends that have become family. For the ways that people show up when life gets challenging- not with answers or shame but with simple presence and commit to existing with me in the discomfort. Thank you for people who let me show up in their lives as well.
God center me this morning as I prepare to face the week, let me remember that I am enough, that you call me to only be myself, and that you (and this web of support) are with me.
God let me be a reflection of your love and peace in the lives of others, so that in the midst of their chaos they know they are not alone.
Thank you for this week and the hope that it brings. Amen.

God,
Thank you for today. Let it be a life giving end to this week and an entry into a time of rejuvenation. Amen

God, thank you for the sounds of my life-- loved ones talking, children giggling, the wind rustling, water splashing, my favorite music available at my finger tips. Help me listen for your voice in the midst of these sounds. Let me be present and appreciate what I hear today. May I add to the sounds of this day in meaningful and life-giving ways for myself and others. Amen

Today for our morning prayer you are invited to practice centering prayer.

Centering prayer is taking a moment to ground yourself and be mindful of God’s presence in your life. You can give it 1 minute or 30, it depends on your day.

To begin, pick a word to focus on that reminds you of God (God, love, grace, ever present,etc).

Then close your eyes, find silence and focus on that word.

Slow your breathing and feel your body.

As your thoughts move away from the word, accept the invitation to return to the word you selected.

Continue in this fashion until your time is up.

God,
Thank you for the way you move me out of my comfort zones. You believe I am capable of being a blessing to others, even if I don’t realize it myself. Help me to embrace your invitation in this season of my life and follow you into the future. Trusting that you know me better than I know myself and that your vision for my life is more life filled than I can imagine. Let me see the challenges as opportunities and trust in you. Amen

God, our lives are a mix of emotions- great joy, pride, thankfulness... and also grief, anxiety, even fear. We bring what feels heavy before you now, confident you know the longing of our hearts and are acting in ways that go un-noticed. Help us to see you at work and know that you hear our prayers.

We pray for:
-friend with cancer that is spreading and will be undergoing spinal surgery to remove tumor and fuse spine
-friend navigating cancer diagnosis and treatment
-international travel
-family grieving loss of father/husband/grandfather
-family grieving the loss of sister/aunt
-financial struggles
-friend after recent breast cancer diagnosis, for her family and friends, praise that they found it early
-husband's recover after heart surgery
-everyone navigating recovery
-daughter and grandkids relocating across the country
-teens and kiddos navigating life
-friend with brain cancer
- family after the death of son/nephew
-teenager diagnosed with hashimotos

We bring our joys as well. We are grateful for:
-for all participating in the Woven ministry
-great news on diabetes tests
-cousin's toddler that has been on our prayer list for leukemia has reached bone marrow milestone
-Moments of connection with people we love

Amen

God,
Throughout the chapters of our lives we have had friends that journey along side us. We are grateful to have not been alone. A friend who was able to turn the monotony into fun, grief into joy, challenges into victories. Thank you for the strength we offered each other and the hope we found in their presence. Thank you for the ways they validated us when others tried to tear us down, and inspired us when the path forward was cloudy. We have been blessed.

Thank you for the people who accompany us now. Those that share the day to day with us and remind us that life is more than the frustrations we face and the sadness we bear- that life is filled with opportunities for joy and awe inspiring beauty. Thank you for the ways they let us challenge and inspire them as well.

Life is better together.

Thank you.

Amen.

God,
Thank you for today.
For the countless moments that unfolded leading to this day.
For how this day is setting the scene for the ones that follow.
For how today holds its own potential and surprises.
Let me be present and appreciate the nuances that make this day different from the others.
Give me hope that if this day doesn’t go as planned or is filled with discomfort, that tomorrow will come.
Thank you for today.
Amen