Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. — Collect for Proper 22
A respected priest friend of mine once offered that if someone was looking to develop a prayer practice, an easy way to start would be to simply take the collect of the week from the Book of Common prayer and pray it each day. There is such a rich theology contained in these compact offerings. We describe the God we long for, we ask for specific things we need, we remind ourselves that this is mediated through our understanding of God’s saving power, and then turn it over at the end by saying Amen — or so be it.
This week there is much afoot in our world, locally and globally. We are discerning who might be called to be the next Bishop Suffragan of our diocese. We are reeling from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. We are looking to November elections and what those might portend for the future of our country. We are seeing disturbing and escalating reports from the Middle East, which has already been a cause of anxiety and concern. And that is before we even begin to list what might be the proximate concerns of our daily life. Our relationships with family, friends, colleagues or stresses small and large that might keep us up at night.
At times, I’m great about doubling down in this midst of these swirling times to commit to my prayer practices, eating well, exercising, or whatever else helps keep me grounded. And other times, not so much. That is when the grace of a collect, like the one above for this week, enters my practice. It reminds me that my relationship with God is not dependent on my fidelity but is initiated and supported by the One who loves me unconditionally. Mercy is available so I may let go of whatever self-flagellating tendencies get in the way of creating space for prayer. I can park my fear and doubt at the door and enter the space where God awaits me with compassion and love.
If you’re having trouble remembering what that kind of love looks like, I offer our annual pet blessing as a tangible reminder. When I bless pets each year, I usually begin with a prayer of thanksgiving for our pets. I give thanks that they serve as reminders of God’s unconditional love in our lives. They are happy to see us no matter what. Whether we’ve been gone all day or just stepped outside for a moment. Let those wagging tails offer you a glimpse of lightheartedness amidst so many serious and real concerns in our world. I’ll be at Mike’s Dog store on Saturday from 10:00 am - noon. I hope you’ll bring your dear pets by for a moment of blessing and joy!
Peace, Beth +