Father in Heaven,

Hear our prayer for Your children
During this summer season.
May summer not be a prolonged season of isolation,
But one of generous invitation to
Play dates and sleepovers,
Camping trips and day camps,
Pool parties and birthday parties.

Visio Divina is a prayer practice in which God speaks to us through what we see. In Latin, the words “Visio Divina” mean "holy" or "divine" seeing. I have appreciated this prayer practice for several years, using art. However, it can also be applied to everything we see in the created world, whether grand or tiny. Visio Divina can usher us into a new experience of God.

“In Your tender compassion, the morning sun has risen upon us…”— Benedictus

Our Father in Heaven,

May sunrise light
The brilliant beams of Creation’s color:
Pale peach, dusty orange, candy pink, and ruby red
Announce with holy hues
The arrival of this new day.

Creator God,

May those whose work is making theatre
Be seen as valuable and meaningful.
May we hold the art and skill of telling stories
An essential aspect of our society. 

May the stories that unfold on stage
Cultivate empathy for others:
For suffering and solidarity in community,
For the brokenness and brilliance of humanity.

God of delight and wonder,

We lift our gratitude for the joy of winter play
for the rush of sleds speeding down slopes,
for snowballs launched in giddy delight,
for skates that glide and twirl on frozen ponds.

Father in Heaven,

We pray for our neighbors
Whose work is manual labor.
We pray for their body.
Give them the endurance, health, and strength
This hard work requires.

God,
Who created the twinkling stars
And the warmth of the sun,
The mountains majestic
And the turquoise ocean,

May we be good stewards with our home,
And always be grateful for the place You have provided.
May the ways we want to improve our home,
Create new opportunities for hospitality, connection, and invitation.