FORTY DAYS OF POETRY, PRAYERS, AND PENS | WEEK FIVE
Welcome to week five of this Plymouth Community Lenten Project. Our continuing goal is to write 40 prayers in 40 days. Each week during Lent, Plymouth is circulating a week of prayer “prompts” and we hope that you will use these as a springboard to write your own personal prayers.
The entry for each day includes a selection of poetry from a hymn, a scriptural reference, and a prayer prompt. Spend some time with each of these sources of inspiration (or with none of them if you prefer), and then write a prayer. If you would like to read some overview information and suggestions about the project, return to the main page and scroll to the bottom. In some cases, a link to the music is provided.
This project is intended to be an individual project – something that you do on your own time and at your own pace, under no obligation to share with others. However, if you would like to continue the conversation about prayer, you are welcome to attend the discussion on Sunday mornings at 9:45 am on the third floor in the Church House.
It is our sincere hope that folks of all backgrounds who are interested in exploring prayer will participate in this project. You may be a person who identifies as a writer, or a person who, in your wildest dreams, would never identify as a writer. This project simply uses writing as a means to start a conversation with God. No special skills are required.
Monday, March 28
Who Would Think That What Was Needed (157) by John Bell, Graham Maule
“Who would think that what was needed
to transform and safe the earth
might not be a plan or army
proud in purpose, proved in worth?
Who would think, despite derision,
that a child should lead the way?
God surprises earth with heaven,
coming here on Christmas Day.”
Matthew 2:1-2 - In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’
Our God is a God of mysteries and surprises. God never does what is expected but shocks us with the unexpected. Write a prayer of gratitude to God for keeping us on our toes.
Tuesday, March 29
Restless Weaver (520) by O. I. Cricket Harrison
“Where earth’s fragile web is raveling,
help us mend each broken strand.
Bless our urgent, bold endeavors
cleansing water, air, and land.”
Exodus 23:10-11 - For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.
We have abused our earthly home in so many ways. Dramatic change is needed, but every small step is important. Write a prayer praising the God of creation, and ask God to show you ways that you can help with the renewal of creation.
Wednesday, March 30
Wind Who Makes all Winds that Blow (217) by Thomas Troeger
“Holy Spirit, Wind and Flame,
move within our mortal frame.
Make our hearts an altar pyre,
kindle them with your own fire.”
Joel 2:28 - Then afterwards I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
Acts 2:2-4 - And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Raise your hand if you are Covid-weary. It is hard to muster energy after two years of living life on the defensive. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you find your way back to energy and enthusiasm, and to help you dream dreams.
Thursday, March 31
In the Morning When I Rise (420) by African American Spiritual
“In the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
in the morning when I rise,
give me Jesus.”
Matthew 14:23-25 - …but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking towards them on the lake. But when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, ‘Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.’
Write a simple repeatable prayer that you can revisit throughout the day. If you need something to remind you to pray in the course of the day, try praying whenever you wash your hands.
Friday, April 1
Before the Cross of Jesus (188) by Ferdinand Q. Blanchard
“The hopes that lead us onward,
the fears that hold us back,
our will to do great things for God,
the courage that we lack…”
Matthew 26:33-35 - Peter said to him, ‘Though all become deserters because of you, I will never desert you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly I tell you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And so said all the disciples.
If we are honest with ourselves, we know that we are a jumble of good intentions and risk avoidance. Yet we know that we are loved, and that our gracious God will never give up on us. That is definitely something to pray about.
Saturday, April 2
Mountain Brook with Rushing Waters (522) by William W. Reid, Jr.
“Waving fields of wheat and barley,
ripened apples, cherries red,
cattle grazing in the pasture;
by God’s bounty we are fed.”
Genesis 1:29-30 - God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.
While you are preparing a meal today, think about each person, machine, insect, and animal that was involved in bringing God’s abundance to your table. Write a Table Grace, giving thanks for all who work to keep us fed.
Sunday, April 3
Choose a congregational song from among the ones sung on Sunday morning. Select a stanza or a phrase that resonates with you, and let it carry you into a prayer.
All hymn texts are selected from Plymouth’s hymnal Hymns of Truth and Light. Copyright information for each text may be found on the indicated page. Scripture is taken from the New Revised Standard Version.