An order for morning prayer based on Proverbs 31

Morning prayer
Ecumenical chapel, Geneva
15 September 2010
This order of service was compiled by Theodore Gill

Proverbs 31: 8-9: A voice for the voiceless
Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.
Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Thuma Mina number 150: “Lumière de Dieu”

Prayer for illumination (from In God’s Hands: the ecumenical prayer cycle)
May the God of peace bless the reading of these words, that God’s Word
may dwell in us richly, and that we may bear fruit to Christ’s glory. Amen.

Proverbs 31: 13-20: A woman of noble character
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away.
She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household
and tasks for those who serve her.
She considers a field, and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
She puts her hands to the distaff and spins, and her hands hold the spindle.
She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.

“Huswifery” by Edward Taylor (1644?–1729)
Make me, O Lord, thy Spining Wheele compleate.
Thy Holy Worde my Distaff make for mee.
Make mine Affections thy Swift Flyers neate.
And make my Soule thy holy Spoole to bee.
My Conversation make to be thy Reele
And reele the yarn thereon spun of thy Wheele.

Make me thy Loome then, knit therein this Twine:
And make thy Holy Spirit, Lord, winde quills:
Then weave the Web thyselfe. The yarn is fine.
Thine Ordinances make my Fulling Mills.
Then dy the same in Heavenly Colours Choice,
All pinkt with Varnisht Flowers of Paradise.

Then cloath therewith mine Understanding, Will,
Affections, Judgment, Conscience, Memory
My Words, and Actions, that their shine may fill
My wayes with glory and thee glorify.
Then mine apparel shall display before yee
That I am Cloathd in Holy robes for glory.

Prayer (from In God’s Hands: the ecumenical prayer cycle)
[Our prayers today come from the regions of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.]

O my Lord Jesus Christ, I have nowhere to turn except to you.
You are the only One who can heal me and who can cleanse me of my wounds.
You are the only One who can save me from feeling trapped!

We thank you, our Lord, that we may call upon you, when we are down,
when we’ve made mistakes and done things wrong from which there seems no way out.
Help us to return to you in prayer, convinced that you do not despise us.
Light the lamp of your holy word, and raise in us the dawn of your grace.
Show the right path to us, your poor servants, so that we may walk your path.
Rise before us as the morning sun, so that we may serve you with a clear vision.

We thank you, Lord, that in your word we find comfort and restoration.
We thank you that your forgiveness is not limited
and that we may live as your forgiven and forgiving people.
Help us to create a fellowship within the churches where forgiveness prevails,
where human lives are restored and where acceptance is the norm.

By the power of your Holy Spirit, help us to be ambassadors of your grace.
Help us to forgive those who have sinned against us,
whether or not they seek our pardon.
Make us faithful participants in your mission to the world,
setting up signs of hope, love, peace and justice everywhere on earth.

Hear our prayers for the whole world, Lord… have mercy upon us, and upon all.
And hear us as we pray this week for the people and churches in
Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania.

We lift our prayers to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, One God.
O Triune God, bless our works and bless this world!

The Lord’s Prayer: spoken in the language of one’s choice

Thuma Mina 150: “Lumière de Dieu”

Sending and Blessing
Go out in peace, to love and serve the Lord.

And the blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
be with us and remain with us always.
Alleluia! Amen.