He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Loving God, our faithful father, you who created us in your image and likeness, and are willing to meet with us here, as market vendors, barbers, mothers and fathers.
We confess that in our sweat and toil, we often forget your presence. In our struggles and weariness and frustration we are often lukewarm. Forgive us.
Tabernacle with us.
We need you now more than ever. Drained of strength and energy we come, that we might be re-energized and filled.
So come Lord. Come as the wind, blow your breath gently over us, blow the dust off our lives. Come as the fire, burn out all the hate and anger we feel towards those who oppress us and treat us unfairly. Come as the water, wash the dirt of poverty off our stalls, the marketplace, and our lives.
Come as the dove – settle all matters concerning us. Let peace reign.
May we encounter you today. Ignite our hearts to worship and serve you. Take your place and rule and reign in Jesus’s name as we leave our struggle at the foot of the cross and liberate us to worship you. Amen.
complied by Claudio Carvalhaes, professor of worship in New York City
Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: “I am the Lord; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations,
to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.
Lord, I’m so easily weighed down by my struggles, my burdens and the harsh realities of daily life…
Sometimes, I think I’ll lose hope in you in tomorrow, in others, and in myself so I need you to help me trust, to help me hope that the peace I imagine, the peace I pray for, the peace you promise is stronger and greater than any of my problems…
Let hope be my hunch, Lord: that my future’s not limited by my present trials; that the troubles of the moment won’t have the last word; that my burdens are truly a prelude to joy…
Give me hope in the midst of suffering, Lord: I know that’s the path of your love, I know it’s the way to peace…
Help me see, Lord, how my troubles prepare me today for your coming, the advent of peace, for the gift of your presence, the harvest of hope, my hunch proved right by your grace…
Protect me, Lord, while I’m awake and watch over me while I asleep that awake, I might keep watch with you and asleep, rest in your peace… Amen.
Fr. Austin Fleming, Roman Catholic Priest serving near Boston, MA Concord Pastor
For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.
I weave a silence on my lips I weave a silence into my mind I weave a silence within my heart I close my ears to distractions I close my eyes to attractions I close my heart to temptations
Calm me O Lord as you stilled the storm Still me O Lord, keep me from harm Let all the tumult within me cease Enfold me Lord in your peace.
prayer & verse 
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