DOWNLOAD INCLUDES:

• 12 pg PDF print-ready file of the prayers (for you to print and distribute to members, or copy/paste for worship liturgy).
  PDF includes 12 poetic prayers with the following themes and titles:

  • Invited In | Again & Again, We’re Invited In (Ash Wednesday)

  • Remember When? | Again & Again, God Meets Us (1st Sunday in Lent)

  • Truth That Ricochets | Again & Again, We Are Called To Listen (2nd Sunday in Lent)

  • Flipping Tables | Again & Again, We Are Shown The Way (3rd Sunday in Lent)

  • Bread Crumbs | Again & Again, We Are Shown The Way (3rd Sunday in Lent)

  • Hold | Again & Again, God Loves First (4th Sunday in Lent)

  • Keep Digging | Again & Again, We Are Reformed (5th Sunday in Lent)

  • Peaceful Protest | Again & Again, We Draw On Courage (Palm/Passion Sunday)

  • Until That Day | Again & Again, We Are Held Together (Maundy Thursday)

  • Here | Again & Again, We Find Ourselves Here (Good Friday)

  • Light | Again & Again, The Sun Rises (Easter)

USES:

• Print the prayers and distribute them to members in your community

• Adapt the prayers as your Call to Worship or opening prayer for worship

• Use the prayers in a bible study group or Sunday school

• Use the poetry as a meditation during the sermon

• Use the poetry to inspire your own liturgy and sermon writing

• Print the poetry in your bulletin (perhaps as the bulletin cover)

EXCERPT:

I like to imagine that each year,
God invites me to a party.
God drops me a note that says,
“No gifts, casual dress. Come just as you are.”

I like to imagine that I am brave enough to go.
I like to imagine that I decide that I am worth it.
This was no pity invite,
There is no obligatory postage.
God wants me there.

So I get myself together,
Smudged glasses, sensitive ego, wrinkled shirt, and all.
I ring the doorbell a few minutes late on account of the fact that
I lost my keys twice trying to get out the door,
And I almost turn back to hide in my car,
Afraid that I might embarrass myself over appetizers or small talk.
But then God answers the door,
And God says, “You’re here!”
And I smile, because I am.

—Rev. Sarah Are, excerpt from “Invited”

CREDIT INFO:

When printing and sharing online or in worship, please always include the following credits:
Prayers by Rev. Sarah Are | A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org