by Ken Sehested
The time has come to flee Pharaoh’s national security state for the insecurity of the wilderness.
Led by the Spirit and sustained by angels, we head to the desert for a throw-down with the Devil.
Read more ›Litanies & Prayers
All Saints Day
A litany for worship
by Ken Sehested
The saints of old don’t wear golden crowns, or sit on lofty perch, mouthing caustic comments on how poorly we yet-mortal souls measure up to the glory of days past.
They, too, knew about keeping hope alive while getting dinner on the table, faucets fixed, carpools covered, and budgets balanced.
Read more ›Make us audacious
A Reformation Sunday prayer, inspired by John 3:1-8
by Ken Sehested
Note: On Reformation Sunday, 1981, my wife Nancy and I were jointly ordained to the ministry. The choice of Reformation Sunday was intentional.
Beloved, Who beckons us with the aroma of baking bread, Whose breast offers milk and sweet honey, Who showers manna in the wilderness, with fresh water from sheer rock, and instruction from the mountain.
We give thanks for our baptismal trek through the sea, on the road from slavery to freedom.
Read more ›Buttered hot biscuits
Inspired by Romans 12:9-21
Sisters and brothers: Before we get down to business, wrestling with what the Spirit has to say today, let’s do some stretching exercises. Don’t want any muscle strains in the house of the Beloved. Easy does it—bend and stretch and tip-toe fetch.
Love from your devotion, not from your ambition.
Be quick to praise, slow to blame.
Read more ›Go tell John
A litany for worship inspired by Matthew 11:1-6
by Ken Sehested
The disciples of John came to Jesus saying, “Dude, what’s up with this? John’s in prison, and you’re out here lollygagging in the boondocks! John wants to know when the revolution is getting underway. Are you the Man-in-
Charge or not?!”
Jesus said to them, “Go tell John what you see and hear.”
Read more ›Peace, like war, is waged
A litany for worship by Walker Knight
by Walker Knight
Peace plans its strategy and encircles the enemy.
Peace, like war, is waged.
Read more ›Elijah’s pity party
A litany for worship inspired by 1 Kings 19: 1-15
by Ken Sehested
Sometimes knees grow weak and hearts grow faint.
Sometimes vision grows dim and resolve wavers.
Read more ›Wash your feet
A Maundy Thursday litany for a foot washing service
The following was used in a Maundy Thursday foot washing service, Circle of Mercy Congregation,
focused around the John 13 text of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet,
Long before the people of the Promise migrated to Egypt, long before their cries to heaven roused the ears of the Almighty, long before Moses led them on their freedom march to the promised land, the Lord God appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. As he did, three visitors suddenly appeared, and Abraham ran to meet them and bowed to the ground.
In the same way, Yahweh appeared in a vision to Isaiah, in the land of Judah, and said, Declare this to my people: “Wash yourselves. Make yourselves clean!”
Read more ›Wash your feet
A Maundy Thursday litany for a foot washing service
The following was used in a Maundy Thursday foot washing service, Circle of Mercy Congregation,
focused around the John 13 text of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet,
Long before the people of the Promise migrated to Egypt, long before their cries to heaven roused the ears of the Almighty, long before Moses led them on their freedom march to the promised land, the Lord God appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. As he did, three visitors suddenly appeared, and Abraham ran to meet them and bowed to the ground.
In the same way, Yahweh appeared in a vision to Isaiah, in the land of Judah, and said, Declare this to my people: “Wash yourselves. Make yourselves clean!”
Read more ›Ashen complaint
A Lenten prayer, inspired by Psalm 27
by Ken Sehested
Fretfully does my heart drag its heels into the sanctuary of delight. For my wanton days and weary praise reveal the toll taken by life’s relentless demands
To where shall I appeal for release from such encumbrance? To whom shall I turn to lay these burdens down
Read more ›