A Summer Prayer

I

received this prayer in an e-mail from Ken Carter, one of the folks I was with on my June 2008 writing workshop at the Collegeville Institute.  I think it quite wonderfully encapsulates what we all wish, hope, pray that the summer season could be.

A Summer Prayer

O God of every time and season

we give thanks for rhythms of work and rest

for places apart that mark our years

for the eternal return of ocean waves

for the defiant posture of mountains

for the hiddenness of favorite coves

for pilgrimages made and then homecomings.

O God, in this season we are grateful

for sanity regained

for blessings discovered

for those who return to us

and for those who leave.

Teach us, God of wonder and creation

that your presence is woven into

the comings and goings of our lives

and having fled to our own lonely places

let us return, with Jesus

to live and work

to heal and pray

to worship and love.

Amen.

Dr. Kenneth Carter is the senior pastor at Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.