covenant  presbyterian  church
471 parkway avenue, trenton, nj  08618
phone:  609.989.8282
fax:  609.392.2578

 


Prayers and Inspirational Poems


Wang Weifan of China writes:

The poet Li Si has said: "The mountain cherishes the soil which gives it height; the sea does not disdain the water which gives it depth." The boundaries of the realm of the Spirit depend on the narrowness or breadth of the heart. If our embrace is narrow, we cannot put our arms about another.  If we are partial to our own group or attack those who are different: this too is displeasing to God.  If we take every small thing to heart, if we cannot forget past grudges, can our hearts be vast as the ocean? 

The great land supports the myriad creatures.  There is nothing that does not feel the warmth of the sun.  But how narrow my heart, smaller than the chicken's roost or the pig's enclosure; empty but for ambition.  How can it soar with the eagle or race with swift horses? 

I pray God to open my heart.  Only then can I find peace.  May it be high as a mountain peak, deep as the sea -- when, Lord, when? 

O God, Enlarge my heart, that it may be big enough to receive the greatness of your love.

Stretch my heart, that it may take into it all those who, with me, around the world, believe in Jesus Christ.

Stretch it, that it may take into it all those who do not know him, but who are my responsibility because I know him.

And stretch it, that it may take in all those who are not lovely in my eyes, and whose hands I do not want to touch; through Jesus, Christ, my Savior.  Amen.     
A Prayer from Africa









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A litany for the Gulf of Mexico in a time of crisis.
The Officiant and People say responsively

Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams,
O whales and all that move in the waters. All birds of the air, glorify the Lord,praise him and highly exalt him forever.

Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous,

praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord,
praise him and highly exalt him forever.

The voice of the LORD is upon the waters;
the God of glory thunders; the LORD is upon the mighty waters.

The voice of the LORD is a powerful voice;
the voice of the LORD is a voice of splendor.

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

Yonder is the great and wide sea with its living things too many to number,
creatures both small and great,

There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan, which you have made for the sport of it.
You give it to them; they gather it; you open you hand, and they are filled with good things.

You send forth your Spirit, and they are created;
and so you renew the face of the earth.

For the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, that they may be kept pure as you created them.

Lord, have mercy.

For all who work on the waters that they be safe from harm; for all who have been injured, for all who have died, and for all who mourn.
Lord, have mercy.

For all who support their livelihood and the care of their families and communities from the harvest of the waters,
Lord, have mercy.

For all who live along these waters and for their livelihood, provide places of rest and recreation for others,
Lord, have mercy.

For all who explore the depths of the earth, even under the sea, for the resources of your creation for the common good,
Lord, have mercy.

For all creatures of your making and for the wonderful mysteries of natural habitats you have willed for them, that they be protected from all dangers,
Lord, have mercy.

For all in authority over us, in the government of our nation, our states, and communities, that they may serve your will for the common good, and no other,
Lord, have mercy.

For all who work to preserve us from the dangers of this present calamity, that they may be blessed with success and kept safe from all harm,
Lord, have mercy.

For our deliverance from fear, anxiety, and anger,
Lord, have mercy.

For your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven,
Lord, hear our prayer.

Mercifully hear us, O Lord our God.
Let our cry come to you.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

by Sarah Creech, Fairhope, AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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At the River Clarion (excerpt)
I don’t know who God is exactly,but I’ll tell you this.
I was sitting in the river named Clarion, on a water splashed stone and all afternoon I listened to the voices of the river talking.  Whenever the water struck the stone it had something to say…Said the river: I am part of holiness.And I too, said the stone. And I too, whispered the moss beneath the water…If God exists he isn’t just butter and good luck. He’s also the tick that killed my wonderful dog Luke…If God exists he isn’t just churches and mathematics.He’s the forest, He’s the desert…Yes, it could be that I am a tiny piece of God, and each of you too, or at least of his intention and His hope… ~ Mary Oliver

 

 


                       

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