Monday Meditation

Monday Meditation: 
God of infinite love and grace,
we come to you ever thankful
for this place of worship
and this time of prayer.
We acknowledge that
our faith binds us to each other,
and to that which is holy.
 
[silent meditation]
 
Yet we confess that
there are some people
to whom we do not feel bound.
There are times when
we build walls
instead of opening doors.
We turn a deaf ear
to those in pain
or in need of our counsel,
because we are too busy
to open the doors of our hearts.
And sometimes when we listen,
we listen poorly.
We talk when we should be silent,
and we become mute
when we should use our voices
to break down barriers.
 
[silent meditation]
 
Break down the barriers
of our apathy
and reluctant resistance, O God.
Help us catch a vision
of who we are to be,
and what we are called to become.
Open our hearts
to the strengthening presence of all who love us
in this life and beyond.
 
Make our church
a positive force in the world, Holy Lord,
no matter how dark the times may appear,
no matter how much society tries to convince us
that greed and selfishness are normal.
Remind us, Gracious God,
that you freed us
so that we might also free others.
Make our church and us
part of your infinite cycle of blessings.
 
[silent meditation]
 
We offer thanks for our families,
and ask that your healing presence
be with those who are ill;
with those who are homebound
and with those who mourn
with a sorrow too deep for words.
May everyone in the world come to know
the peace of mind, body, and spirit
available through deep and faithful love of you,
our Holy and Eternal Source of all Being.
 
Amen.