Always remember to forget the things that made you sad. But never forget to remember the things that made you glad. Always remember to forget the friends that prove untrue. But never forget to remember those who have stuck by you. Always remember to forget the troubles that passed away. But never forget to remember the blessings that come each day. -Traditional Irish Blessing.
O Lord, our Heavenly Father, I and mighty King of kings, and Lord of the lords, who dost from your throne, behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest in the power supreme and uncontrolled over all Kingdoms, Empires, and governments; look down your mercy, we beseech Thee, on these are American states, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on your gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on thee.
To Thee have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause; to Thee do they now look up for that countenance and support, which thou alone canst give. Take them, therefore, Heavenly Father, under your nurturing care; give them wisdom and Council and valor in the field; defeat the malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them of the unrighteousness of their cause, and if they persist in their sanguinary purposes, O, let thy the voice of Thy own on unerring justice, sounding in their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their unnerved hands in the day of battle!
Be thou present, O God of wisdom, and direct the councils of this honorable assembly; enable them to settle things on the best and surest foundation. That the scene of blood may be speedily closed; that order, harmony and peace may be effectively restored, and truth and justice, religion, piety, prevail, and flourish among the people. Preserve the health of their bodies and vigor of their minds; shower down on them and the millions they here represent, such temporal blessings as thou seest expedient for them in this world and crown them with everlasting glory in the world to come.
All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ, Your Son and our Savior. Amen – Reverend Jacob Duche (1737-1798), Rector of Christ Church of Philadelphia, First prayer of the Continental Congress, 1774
This week’s biblical lesson is based on a blessing I wrote titled, “Trinitarian Blessing.” May the grace of the Father who calls, the love of the Son who redeems, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit who sustains, be with you now and always. Amen đ
This blessing teaches us that the Christian life is Trinitarian at its core:
Together, this blessing is not just a prayerâit is a pattern for living. It calls us to recognize that every step of our journey is held within the embrace of the Triune God.
Think of the Trinity as a threefold cord (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Each strandâFather, Son, and Spiritâwraps around us, holding us secure. Alone, we are fragile; but bound in divine grace, love, and fellowship, we are sustained and strengthened.
Holy Trinity, We thank You for the grace of the Father who calls, the love of the Son who redeems, and the fellowship of the Spirit who sustains.
Teach us to live in this blessing dailyâ to hear Your call, to rest in Your love, and to walk in Your sustaining presence.
May our lives reflect Your unity and joy, and may we be a blessing to others as You have blessed us.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen. đâď¸đ
I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip – he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over will neither slumber nor sleep.
The watches over you – the Lord is your shade at you right hand; the sun will not harm you day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm – he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch your coming and going both now and forevermore. – Psalm 121, NIV
O Lord God, Almighty, Father of the angels and men, we praise and bless your holy name for all your goodness and loving kindness to humanity.
We bless you for our creation, preservation, and for your increasing generosity to us throughout our lives.
But above all, we bless you for your great love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ.
We bless you for bringing us safe to the beginning of a new day. Grant at this day we fall into no sin, either run into any kind of danger.
Keep us, we pray, from all things hurtful to body or soul, and grant us your pardon in peace, so that, being cleansed from all our sins, we might serve you with quiet hearts and minds, and continue to do the same until our lives end, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and redeemer. – John Wesley (1703-1791) British evangelist, author, reformer, and father of the Methodist Movement
May the blessing of light be on you-light without and light within. May the blessing sunlight shine on you and warm your heart till it glows like a great peak fire, so that the stranger may come and warm himself at it, also also a friend. And may the light shine out of the two eyes of you like a candle set into windows of a house, bidding the wanderer to come in out of the storm.
And may the blessings of the rain be on you-the soft, sweet brain. May it fall upon your spirit so that all the little flowers may bring up, and shed their sweetness on the air. And may the blessings of the great reigns be on you, may they beat upon your spirit and wash it fair and clean, and leave there are many a shining pool, where the blue of heaven shines, and sometimes a star.
And may the blessings of the earth be on you-the great round earth; may you ever have a kindly greeting for them you pass as you’re going along the road. May the Earth be soft under you when you rest upon it, tired at the end of the day, and may it rest easy over you when, at last, you lay out under it; may it rest so lightly over you, that you are soul may be out from under it quickly, and up, and off, and on its way to God.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. – Traditional
What role does mobility and relocation play in weakening community ties? đâď¸đ
O Sovereign and almighty Lord, bless all your people, and all your flock. Give your peace, your help, your love unto us, your servants, the sheep of your fold, and may we be united in the bond of peace and love, one body, and one spirit, and one hope of our calling, in your divine and boundless love.
Liturgy of Saint Mark, used by the Orthodox Church of Alexandria, fourth century
This weekâs biblical lesson is based on Joe Chadburnâs quote, âWorld peace is possible and inevitable.â Letâs connect peace with Godâs promises.
Joe Chadburnâs words echo the biblical conviction that peace is not a human fantasy but a divine promise. Scripture consistently points to a future where Godâs reign brings reconciliation, healing, and wholeness to creation.
Think of peace like the sunrise. Even in the darkest night, the dawn is inevitable. Godâs peace is the sunrise of eternityâit may feel delayed, but it is unstoppable. Our role is to live as people of the dawn, anticipating and reflecting the light of Christ.
Prince of Peace, We thank You for the promise that Your peace is not only possible, but inevitable. Teach us to live as peacemakers, to embody reconciliation in our words and actions, and to trust in Your coming kingdom.
May our lives reflect the dawn of Your peace, and may we be signs of hope in a world longing for healing. We await the day when swords are beaten into plowshares, and Your love reigns forever.
In Jesusâ name, Amen đâď¸đ
Whispers of Grace 