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A liturgy for encountering unexpected changes. Father,  I am unsettled and frustrated By such unexpected inconveniences As changes in time, Or date, or place, policy, or quantity… As You know, “Plans can’t keep up with changes,” Is often the mantra here, For good reason,  So help me to be flexible,  Not rigid  Because of fear  Or weariness that brittles my response. Undo my desire for control… Of what is new,  Or at least different than expected. Speak peace As plans are changed, again. My routines, Our plans, Are not so sacred That they can be desecrated. So open my hands, heart and mind To move and change, Forgive,  And trust... For You are ultimately in control Of my going out and coming in, My class schedule And holiday make-up days, My residence permit, Store shelves, Closures,  Or that bank trip with multiplied paperwork and proofs needed. Help me to see the secretary or student in the midst, Help me to greet and treat  The messenger that bears the news of change, Not as an obstacle, annoyance, or enemy, But as a soul, under authority, As I am. Teach me and change me So that I become a teacher  Able to adjust lesson plans, calendars, Mindset and moods Without grudges Or grimacing, Trusting that Your outcomes Are ultimately for my good And Your glory. Amen.

A liturgy for attending team meetings. Sovereign One in whom I delight, Help me to prepare in spirit, mind, and body to receive the invitation to participate in our team meeting today. Prepare my inward being, that I may be a safe person for my teammates to commune with. Show me any sin that I need to confess to You or to another person before I enter into that sacred space. Is there anything that I need to apologize for, that I may enter into community with a clear conscience before You? May I enter in free of judgment toward others, aware of my own faults, having been reminded that we are broken and imperfect together; keep my ears attuned to the One who makes us whole. Help me lay down my own thoughts and agenda for what this time should be. May I set aside my own preferences to embrace the way You’ve instructed my leader to guide this time. Let me listen more than I speak, but also not hold back when there is something that I need to say. May my teammates be safe people with whom I can honestly share. Remind me to pay attention to self-care, that I may come rested and full, ready to give the best of myself to my team. When I’m not able to show up at my best, remind me also of Your grace abundant. Protect me from shame, when I need to receive care from my team. Help my team to see me through Your eyes in my moments of weakness. May I be reminded of Your love and tenderness towards me in these tangible reflections of Your glorious self. Let the space where we meet be a sanctuary of peace. May we feel the warmth, the glow, and the comfort of Your soft presence. Shine your light on any elephants that need to be addressed in our meeting room. Send away any undesirable presence and protect us. To what divine agenda do you invite us? Into fun or seriousness? Lightheartedness or heaviness? Into Business? Confrontation? Conflict? Peace? Safety? Laughter? Brokenness? Healing? Restoration? Authentic sharing? May our meeting space be a place of renewal for those who come weary; mending for those who come broken; ingenuity, creativity, and productivity for those whose hands are prepared to serve. Bind us in corporate unity, that all of our hearts and purposes would align according to Your plans for us.

A liturgy for requesting help for things I should know. When I need to ask for help with things I should know how to do,  May it remind me that my identity is not in what I know:  In my knowledge of how to do my job or accomplish a simple task;   In my understanding of culture or how to build relationships;   Nor in my ability to communicate well or meet my daily needs.  When I need to ask for help with things I should know how to do,  May it remind me to first take refuge in Who I know:   You who are good, perfect, and kind;  Whose depth of riches and wisdom and knowledge is unsearchable; Who laid the foundation of the world and determined its measurements,  and at the same time knows how many hairs are on my head.  When I need to ask for help with things I should know how to do,  May it remind me that asking for help provides an opportunity    To connect with a student or neighbor, make a new friend, and deepen relationships.  It gives others the chance to extend hospitality and kindness, And allows me to turn from pride and experience common grace.  When I need to ask for help with things I should know how to do,  May it remind me that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness;  It’s a chance to be humble, to connect with others,  and to depend on You, the One who knows all things,  is over all things, promises to never leave or forsake me,  and is near to those who humble themselves.  Humility, connection, and dependence are things that bring You delight  and are used for my good.    Amen

A liturgy for teaching your first class. As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May I remember all You have done to bring me here All the mountains and valleys Twists and turns  I thank You, for Your plans are perfect As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May my words be Your words  Steeped with grace, kindness, and hope Sweeter than honey I thank You, for your words have given me life As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May I have vision to see them like You do Hungry for Love and Purpose  People whom you cherish I thank You, for You know each one deeply  As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May Hope overflow when I step foot in the room  For how beautiful it is to build bridges of friendship Through learning and growing together I thank You, for You teach me the path of life  As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May anxieties and strivings cease Meet me here, the One who calms the seas Quiet me with Your Love I thank You, for You are not far from any one of us As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May I walk in a manner worthy of You A picture of love, patience, gentleness Sweet fruits of the vine I thank You, for Your well never runs dry As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May You do more Than I could ask or imagine With this time, this heart, this life that is wholly Yours I thank You, for You are before all things, and in You all things hold together As I prepare to stand before a room of the next generation, I ask for Your presence to be near May I remember all You have done to bring me here All the mountains and valleys Twists and turns  I thank You, for Your plans are perfect

A liturgy for those setting up home in a new space. Bless this house and make it a place of orderliness. You arranged the sun, moon, stars, and planets, classified flora and fauna, and numbered my days before one of them came to be. It is a simple matter for You to sort out this mess of possessions. Share Your spatial intelligence with me, Your organizational wisdom. Help me to arrange each space for cleanliness, convenience, and comfort, for me, for guests, for You. Bless this house and make it a place of healthy living for me, with adequate resources for my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. May it be a place of balance and moderation where I rest and sleep, work and play, exercise and eat well, taking good care of Your temple. May it be a place of learning and growth where I keep on asking, seeking, and knocking, humbly listening to Teacher and teachers, about Word and work and life, then wisely putting into practice. May it be a place of relationship where I laugh and cry with family and friends, old and new, in-person and online, and where I commune with You. Bless this house and make it a haven. In the light of day and dark of night, may I feel safe from the world’s evils and secure in Your love. When I cross the threshold after venturing out into an unfamiliar culture, I’ll set down my bag, remove my shoes, and hang up my coat. At the same time, I’ll hand over my worries, frustrations, and hurts to You, sighing into the shelter of Your wings. When guests cross my threshold, teammates or friends, students or colleagues, may they also leave their burdens at the door and step into a place of safety and peace. May all who enter find rest for their weary souls. Bless this house with Your presence. I invite You into every room, every conversation, every thought, and into a special nook where You and I will meet together. Help me to settle in, but remind me that this house is temporary. My home is with You.

A liturgy for navigating public spaces. As I prepare to go out among “the multitudes”  I think of how You walked the highways and byways,  rubbing shoulders with and being jostled by the people around You —  in markets, on city streets, in Your Father’s house.  You saw each one;   help me to see people within the crowd.  You knew each one;   show me the ones you want me to know.  You cared for each one;   give me a heart that cares.  I have my tasks and my agenda;  I lay these before You and ask for Yours in return.  Wherever I go, would You please go first?  Whatever I do, would You please do it through me?  Whomever I encounter, would you please introduce me and, when the time is right, allow me to reciprocate. Thank You for buses and trains and taxis that get me where I need to go — each one filled with people You have made and love.  Ride the bus with me;   ride the train with me;   ride the taxi with me.  You came not to be served but to serve. How can I serve?   In humility help me to consider others as more important than myself: being the last to get on,   the last to get off,  standing so another can sit,   waiting so another can go.  Is it possible for me to see them as You see them?  Is it possible for me to see them as You see them and my heart not break? As You would if You were here (and you truly are here!),   I want to look each one in the eye:  to smile, to nod, to greet — to let each one be seen by me and by You.  May You reduce “the multitudes” to one,   and another one,   and yet another one.  Slow me down to look around and to be thankful:  Thank You for bringing me here!  Thank You for allowing me to walk among these dear ones!  Thank You for the absolute assurance that You go before and behind me,  that You are always with me, and that You hold me by my right hand!  Amen.