Like Leaves to the Sun PRAYERS FROM THE IONA COMMUNITY Neil Paynter
www.ionabooks.com
Poems & prayers © the individual contributors Compilation © 2013 Neil Paynter First published 2013 by Wild Goose Publications, Fourth Floor, Savoy House, 140 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3DH, UK, the publishing division of the Iona Community. Scottish Charity No. SC003794. Limited Company Reg. No. SC096243. ISBN 978-1-84952-270-0 All rights reserved. Apart from the circumstances described below relating to noncommercial use, no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including photocopying or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. Non-commercial use: The material in this book may be used non-commercially for worship and group work without written permission from the publisher. The material in this book may be used non-commercially for worship and group work without written permission from the publisher. Small sections of the book may be photocopied and in such cases please make full acknowledgement of the source, and report usage to the CCLI or other copyright organisation. Neil Paynter has asserted his right in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the author of this compilation and the individual contributors have asserted their right to be identified as authors of their contributions. Overseas distribution Australia: Willow Connection Pty Ltd, Unit 4A, 3–9 Kenneth Road, Manly Vale, NSW 2093 New Zealand: Pleroma, Higginson Street, Otane 4170, Central Hawkes Bay Canada: Bayard Distribution, 10 Lower Spadina Ave., Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario M5V 2Z ®
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Contents Introduction
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Like leaves to the sun Chris Polhill
13
In the wilderness of our longing Mark S. Burrows
14
Seeds of a holy future Tim Aldred
15
Gardening in alleyways Clare McBeath/Church Action on Poverty
17
As though there is no tomorrow John Dale
19
God of the bigger picture Clare McBeath/Church Action on Poverty
20
Being the change we want to see Ruth Harvey
21
Centring prayer Stephen Wright
22
In your extravagant grace Norman Shanks
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In our own small way Norman Shanks
24
The door bursts open Thom M. Shuman
25
A prayer with an eighteen-month-old grandson Tom Gordon
27
Prayers of thanksgiving for the common life (from Iona) Alison Swinfen
29
Hospice triptych (prayers for our healing) Elaine Gisbourne
31
A listening prayer Susan Dale
33
A prayer for those who are feeling stressed or burnt out Stephen Wright
34
The light of your grace (intercessory prayer for Mental Health Week) Kirsty Campbell
35
How long, Lord?: a lament Vincent Manning
36
Prayer and blessing in a time of HIV and AIDS Vincent Manning
39
Carer’s prayer Stephen Wright
41
7
A prayer for a nurse at the end of a busy shiſt Tom Gordon
42
Servant Thom M. Shuman
46
I switch on my computer today Anna Briggs
47
Prayer for a meeting on Palestine Elisabeth Christa Miescher
49
You sit down in our midst: a poem and a prayer Jan Sutch Pickard
51
Healing change Chris Polhill
53
A prayer for social action Paul Nicolson
54
Prayer for Polling Day Elaine Gisbourne
55
Prayer for those joining the protests at Faslane for the first time Tom Gordon
56
The ‘L word’ Stewart Smith
58
Prayer for Christian Aid Week Stewart Smith
60
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Strengthen our determination Teun Kruijswijk Jansen, Jan Maasen and DesirĂŠe van der Hijden
62
A prayer before the start of the London Marathon Yousouf Gooljary
64
A psalm for our generation Jeremy Thompson
66
A prayer for the 21st century Lisa Bodenheim
68
Prayer for stormy times (Mark 4:35–41) Alison Swinfen
70
A prayer for those who are bereaved Tom Gordon
73
Do not worry. Do not be afraid Liz Gibson
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Take a chance on me Thom M. Shuman
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We stand in awe Ian M. Fraser
78
God of the poor Clare McBeath/Church Action on Poverty
81
9
Peace and home Andrew Foster
82
A GalGael grace Jethro Jeffery
84
If I should meet my maker David Francis
86
God’s grace through all danger (A Christmas prayer) Norman Shanks
87
Christmastide blessing Yvonne Morland
88
Blessing Rosemary Power
89
Walking the talk blessing Ruth Burgess
90
Quotes on prayer (from a scrapbook)
93
About the authors
105
Sources and acknowledgements
113
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Introduction In good days and difficult ones I am given fresh hope with these words: ‘God matters: the world matters: we matter to God.’ The powerful wisdom behind these words permeates this book. For the prayers which are here bring us face to face with a God who matters greatly; with our world in which God’s presence is embedded; and with the basic truth that we are all held in a much wider frame of meaning than we can comprehend. For many people prayer is difficult. A collection of prayers like this allows our mind to be less bothered with our personal difficulties or our uncertainties about what we should be saying in our prayers. We can read a prayer, and then sit quietly for a few minutes, allowing the particular words and thoughts to meet with our inner self, with our soul: which is linked to the energies and wisdom of the Creator of all things. And even with my own restless spirit I do know that it is possible to be still with God, who is always reaching out to us, even in the midst of our endless busyness. The ancient words are still true: ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ The prayers here are not to be read in a rush. They are not about a small God, but about One who at every moment is at the very heart of both our personal lives and the life of the world. A God whose goodness, healing and tender grace are at the heart of humanity and are ‘planted there more deeply than all that is wrong’ (Iona Abbey
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Worship Book). In the reading of them may our hearts become more loving and aware, for each prayer invites us into a reality much wider than ourselves – the whole world in its contradiction and promise – and brings us close to our sisters and brothers who wrote them and who, like us, are on a journey in which both light and shadow, sadness and joy are regular companions. Lord of every day, you know well our restless hearts, our questions and our doubts, but we ask You to help us to read these prayers in such a way that we return to what matters most: the depths of our heart and mind being in touch with You. Peter Millar
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Like leaves to the sun Living God, like leaves that turn to the sun so we turn to you, the source of all life, for your love to sustain us, your will to strengthen us and your wisdom to guide us. Amen Chris Polhill
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In the wilderness of our longing Good and generous God, here we are again, still stumbling in the deep of our anxieties, still shaking in the face of life’s tragedies, still doubting in the midst of our uncertainties ‌ And, yes, here we are again, still hoping to know you as the peace that surpasses understanding. For you are the seed of hope sewn in the wilderness of our longing. Mark S. Burrows
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Seeds of a holy future This prayer was written in response to the work of Progressio, an international development charity with lay Catholic roots, which campaigns for environmental justice and an end to poverty (www.progressio.org.uk). A friend, Michael Edwards, once shared with me the insight that fearing the threats in nature can feed denial, whereas reecting on its wonders leads to care and action. We see nature as a threat, bringing death flood drought hurricane desert
terror hunger destruction waste
Your earth is a gift, the source of life rain sun wind land
drink growth spirit food
From fear of nature, we try to ignore deny
as if it does not feed and nourish us as if it is not degraded at our hand
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exploit control
as if water, soil and tree are without end like a bully
In love with your earth, may we study accept care nurture Tim Aldred
its wonders its fragility for its wounds seeds of a holy future
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Gardening in alleyways The following prayer responds to Church Action on Poverty’s work in enabling folk to participate in their communities. Run by Church Action on Poverty’s Community Pride Unit in partnership with Salford University, the Salford Apprentice course aims to empower people with the knowledge they need to make positive changes in their lives and communities. Participants are taught about politics, local government and funding. They are mentored by university staff, study in the university library, and earn credits that count towards a degree. Mum-of-one Sarah Whitehead completed the course in 2010. Using the information and contacts gained from Salford Apprentice, Sarah established the BCD Community Gardens Association – and transformed her rubbish-filled alley into a community garden. Folk on surrounding streets have since been inspired to create their own gardens. In March 2011, together with other Salford Apprentice graduates, Sarah created the Weaste Area Forum. As well as providing a democratic voice for people, the forum have set up a jobs centre, community gym and café in their local social club. Sarah is now a mentor to other Salford Apprentices (from the Church Action on Poverty website). God who gardens in alleyways, we pray for Sarah and the BCD Community Gardens Association, for those who clear rubbish and sow seeds,
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inspiring others to create gardens out of alleys, backyards and doorsteps. God who gardens in alleyways, we pray for those who set up local job centres and warm, welcoming drop-ins, for those who run cafĂŠs and gyms and who tidy up parks. For those who nurture value and pride in their communities. God who gardens in alleyways, we pray for ourselves: that we may see the potential of marginalised people and unlikely places and of ourselves to grow gardens, to grow community, to grow resilience and dignity. Clare McBeath/Church Action on Poverty
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As though there is no tomorrow God, Creator of all that is, we use your world – no, if we are honest, we abuse your world. We abuse natural resources without much thought about the consequences. We ignore the scientific warnings and the protests of our far-off neighbours who are suffering right now from the effects of global warming, and we keep on spewing out unnecessary carbon emissions as though there is no tomorrow. Creator God, help us to examine our lifestyle and to make all the necessary changes, thereby showing our love and care for your people throughout the world. John Dale
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God of the bigger picture A tiny mustard seed grows into a great big tree. Minute grains of yeast work through and quicken the dough. Forgive us when we think that what we do won’t make a difference and remind us that a small action can make someone’s day. One pebble sends circles of ripples across a lake. Many droplets of water combine together to make a vast ocean. Challenge us ‘to be the change that we want to see’: to empower those trapped by poverty and unjust systems. To cast the pebble that creates ripples that upset the status quo. To pray your anger at injustice and compassion for humanity. God of the tiny things and God of the bigger picture take what we have begun to explore the questions we are beginning to ask the prayers we have begun to voice and shape them into your cry for justice. Clare McBeath/Church Action on Poverty
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Being the change we want to see These opening responses are best led by three different voices, from behind or from within the congregation, with each voice spoken with the relevant passion, compassion, gentleness. How about asking your older children or young people to lead it? ‘Be the change you want to see’ is a quote from Mahatma Gandhi. One: ‘Hey,’ says God the Creator, ‘I’m speaking to you, and I rarely beat about the bush. This world is beautiful and lovely – but too many people suffer. I love you – but I don’t love the injustice. So with and through you I’m going to transform the world.’ All: Give us courage to join the journey. Two: ‘Yo,’ says God the Son, the brother, the companion, ‘journey with me here and now, and together we stand beside the hungry, the poor, the suffering. I promise, I won’t let you down. I’ll be with you now and forever – for the long haul.’ All: Give us courage to join the journey. Three: ‘Shhhh,’ says God the Holy Spirit. ‘I am the stillness, the small voice, the grain of sand, the light that will never go out. So come with me, and together, with quiet, tender, partnering passion, we can be the change we want to see in the world.’ All: Give us courage to join the journey. Ruth Harvey
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Centring prayer Shine upon me, Light of God. Hold my heart, Love of God. Fire my soul, Flame of God. Wash away forgetting, Water of God. Blow away all fear, Breath of God. Ground me in Your being, Earth of God. Unite me with You, Grace of God. Amen Stephen Wright