Litanies & Prayers

God’s glory is on tour in the skies,

Divine handiwork is visible on every corner.

Is this work a struggle?

We travel today with Jesus as he was leaving Caesarea Philippi, in the far northern region of ancient Israel. Named for the Roman Caesar, located in what is now known as the Golan Heights, a site of contention to this day, Syrian land occupied by Israeli allure. Even after these years together, the disciples still imagine Jesus supplanting the great Caesar, scattering Rome’s legions, restoring the glory of Judea’s lost splendor, fulfilling its remembered boast as the capital of nations.

And now this! What is this gibberish about “the Son of Man must suffer,” rejected, kicked to the curb, tracked and targeted by the drones of imperial purpose and religious conceit.

“No!” screams Peter, mouth in gear before his brain engaged.

by Ken Sehested

In the face of Pharaoh’s fury, Stand by me
In the face of Pharaoh’s fury, Stand by me
With enemies surrounding, with fearful threat confounding,
Part the drowning waters ’fore me, Stand by me

When beset by ruin and ravage, Stand by me
When beset by ruin and ravage, Stand by me
Lead the way amid the dangers, keep me safe from Satan’s daggers
Send your angels to watch o’er me, Stand by me.

by Ken Sehested

When the apostles were gathered, exuberant with tales of all they had done, Jesus said to them: Steal away with me to a deserted place.

Steal away, to restful still waters.

by Ken Sehested

Gracious One, who jealously guards the lives of those at every edge, we lift our heavy hearts to your Mercy.

We live in a fretful land, anxious over the ebbing away of privilege, fearful that strangers are stealing our birthright.

by Ken Sehested

Let praise leap from the lungs, ascend the throat, rattle the teeth and flutter the tongue. The Blessed Haunt of Zion calls out to all flesh. To this Embrace, everything that has breath shall come. The God who lingers in slave quarters assails every Pharaoh’s palace:

Let my people go! Proclaim liberty throughout the land!

by Ken Sehested

We engage our rituals,

we practice our disciplines,

Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. You are not obligated to complete the work but neither are you free to abandon it. (The Talmud)

And how are we to spend ourselves for the sake of the world that God loves? For the recognition? For the virtue?

For the hope of return in the future? Maybe for the pleasure?

by Ken Sehested

Dear God:
There was a time when your provision was like
a splendid feast,
      a delicacy for the eye,
            a delight to the palate,
                  an aroma so fine it buckled my knees.

But no more.
The thrill is gone.
      The aroma gags.
            I’ve had my fill of this swill.

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

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

Blazing tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.