Prayer For Summer
The smell of the bush after some rain,
the desert in flower on a red plain,
the coming of sleep after much pain;
For gifts simple and profound,
we thank you, loving Friend.
The sound of waves along the shore,
the children's laugher as they explore,
the promise of love for evermore:
For gifts simple and profound,
we thank you, loving Friend.
The sight of black swans on a calm lake,
the taste of summer in a fruit cake,
travelling by faith after a mistake:
For gifts simple and profound,
we thank you, loving Friend.
The scent of green grass from the cut lawn,
the pure-white blossom on a rough thorn,
the return of hope with a new dawn:
For gifts simple and profound,
we thank you, loving Friend.
The fragrance of bread just freshly made,
the brimming cup sipped in the shade,
the pardon of debts never repaid:
For gifts simple and profound,
we thank you, loving Friend.
God, as the heat of summer intensifies, we pray for those without air conditioning or electricity, clean water, and health care.
For all of our neighbours in survival mode, give them the communities and resources to not only survive, but to thrive this summer.
And Lord, remind us to give you a drink when we see you thirsty.
Amen
Long warm days
The pace of life slows
A time for picnics and rest in the shade
Lord,
help me to rest a while
in the cooling shade of your presence.
Slow down my restless heart
and fill me with gentle compassion
for all your people.
Amen.
Father, Creator of all, thank You for summer!
Thank you for the warmth of the sun
and the increased daylight.
Thank You for the beauty I see all around me
and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.
Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family,
and for the more casual pace of the summer season.
Draw me closer to You this summer.
Teach me how I can pray
no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence
and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.
As I enjoy Your creation, create in me
a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.
Amen.
Loving God, Creator of all times and places, we thank you for the gift of summertime, the days of light, warmth and leisure.
Thank you for the beauty that surrounds us everywhere we look: the multi-colored flowers, the deep blue of the sky, the tranquil surface of lakes, the laughter of children at play, people strolling in parks, families gathered around picnic tables and the more time to spend with family and friends.
As we open our eyes and ears to the landscape of nature and people, open our hearts to receive all as gift. Give us that insight to see you as the Divine Artist. Help us to realize and appreciate that you are laboring to keep all in existence. Warm our souls with the awareness of your presence.
Let all the gifts we enjoy this summer deepen our awareness of your love so that we may share this with others and enjoy a summertime of re-creation.
AMEN
Come summer with me, Lord;
summer deep down in my soul;
restore my faith in summer's time,
in rest, in joy, in play, in you...
Summer in my heart, Lord,
and dwell there
as if time would never end,
as if all time were children's time, eternal time
when school is always out and joy is ever in
And let others summer in my shade, Lord,
and share whatever summer's peace is mine to give,
whatever summer's light is mine to shed,
whatever summer's warmth is mine to share...
Good God of every season and every day this week,
come summer with me, Lord, and let the child in my heart
spend this summer in your love...
Amen.
Glory be to God...
for clear blue skies and sunny days
for fresh green grass and leafy trees
for vivid purple flowers and well-tended gardens
for fluffy white clouds and gentle breezes
for bright red buses and busy streets
Glory be to God...
for people stepping out with sandaled feet
for children playing games with delighted squeals
for picnics and street parties
for street traders and market stalls
for long days and short nights
for open-topped buses and open-necked shirts.
Glory be to God...
for seasons
for summer
for sunshine
Abba, thank you for summer,
for green grass
and honeysuckle,
leafy trees
running streams
bare feet
balmy days
singing birds
laughing children
baseball games
cookouts
sunshine
clear skies
the smell after a summer rain
beauty
and fecundity
everywhere
I turn.
Amen.