If you have found this devotional discussion forum helpful–or not–please let us know. We welcome any feedback, including constructive criticism, so that we can determine if and how to proceed with a Lenten devotional forum.
You may post public feedback in the comments below, or you may email Nurture Commission representatives, Olivia Knight (haddol01@gmail.com) and/or Ellen Flury (ekflury@gmail.com).
Thank you for joining us for this Advent-through-Epiphany journey.
Please join us in a final prayer, provided by the Brethren Press Study Guide, adapted for the online forum.
Closing Prayer
This is an active prayer, meaning there are suggested motions to accompany the parts of the prayer to help focus on moments of peace.
For the word cup, participants may cup their hands together as though the specific prayers were being poured into them.
For the word lift, participants may raise their cupped hands as if to say to God, “Here are my prayers to you.”
For the word release, participants may pull their hands apart so that the concerns and praises are out of their hands and placed into God’s tender care.
Let us pray:
Loving God, just as you have illumined our path for centuries, lead us this day to walk in your light as we offer our prayers to you.
We cup our hands and pour into them our gratitude and prayers for those who are gathered in community here.
We lift our prayers to you, and release them into your care.
We cup our hands and pour into them our prayers for the fears and concerns that have been shared. We also pour into our hands those cares that remain unsaid.
We lift our prayers to you, and release them into your care.
We cup our hands and pour into them our gratitude for the awareness of your presence, and the way we’ve experienced your peace.
We lift our prayers to you, and release them into your care.
We come before you as a church, as a people, as a worldwide community and gather all our prayers together, knowing that the Light was promised, the Light has come, and the Light is shining still.
Thank you, Lord.
Amen.