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Friends, of all the things we believe or disbelieve, only this is sure:

We are a delight to the One who crowns the earth with sky,

Who shines on the soil by day and shelters the heart by night.

Because of this jubilant news, clothe yourselves with royal attire:

With compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience.

Bearing with one another in the midst of disagreement,

Forgiving one another in the aftermath of conflict.

Having known forgiveness, by the One whose breath fills our lungs,

We are granted the power to forgive others.

And by forgiving others, we linger in the Shadow of Mercy.

So let us announce the goodness of God on Mount Mitchell

And may Town Mountain* echo our joyous songs of praise!

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Inspired by Colossians 3:12-17. *Town Mountain runs through Asheville.

Oh, for a Word to be heard from above
School us in mercy, tutor in grace

Oh, for a pardon for hardened contempt
School us in mercy, tutor in grace

Oh, for a vision, a decision and desire
School us in mercy, tutor in grace

Oh, for an ear just to hear our name spoken
School us in mercy, tutor in grace

Oh, for a sight, clear and bright, pure delight
School us in mercy, tutor in grace

Oh, for a heart to impart love unmeasured
School us in mercy, tutor in grace

Oh, for a tongue hitched to lungs full of praise
School us in mercy, tutor in grace

Behold, the day comes when the dumb shall rejoice!
Behold, every hearing, no fearing that Voice!

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Inspired by Mark 7:31-37.

People of Mercy, put your hands together for the One we adore, lift your cheers to the Tender of orphans and widows, to the Protector of migrant farmer and those crushed with medical debt.

[All clap and cheer!]

Release your grip on the gods of armed might, on strategies of shock and awe. Confound the tortured schemes of the White House, jolt the laggard vision of the church house, and raise the burdened hopes of the poor house.

[All clap and cheer!]

Offer your applause to the cause of the One yet unknown in the Pentagon and in the board rooms of privilege. Their profit margins and preemptive plans will be confounded, for the Prince of Peace approaches with a new agenda for investment.

[All clap and cheer!]

Rain will absorb every drought and mercy be restored to the marketplace. Lush meadows will break through the developer’s asphalt. Affordable homes will open for all whose hopes have been foreclosed. Those who buy and sell the futures of crops and petroleum, who barter menial wages for market share, will confront the One who crushes the delight for war and leads the prisoner to prosperity.

Our applause belongs to this One alone!

All praise to the Blessed One whose name is pronounced in the mending of creation and in remembrance of the forgotten.

Oh Lord of life, we come to you. Create in us a clean heart. Bless us in the work of blessing. Heal us in the work of healing. Light our path in the journey of love through the wilderness of enmity.

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Inspired by Psalm 68.

The Spirit draws near to the people of Promise, a people grown weary by the delay of Heaven’s remission and earth’s Redemption.

{Singing} Come ye disconsolate, where’er ye languish.

Lean into Mercy, you prisoners of hope, with all your damp, dismayed strength.

{Singing} Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel.

Pray not just with your words but with your fretful hands and your tissue-torn knees.

{Singing} Here bring your wounded hearts, here tell your anguish.

Has your tongue gone dumb? Then let your feet wail your anguish. Have your eyes grown dim? Then let your lungs inhale the aroma of God! Let the pores of your skin draw in the assurance of Presence amid every abandoning dungeon.

{Singing} Earth has no sorrow that heav’n cannot heal.

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Inspired by Romans 8:38-39 and lyrics to Come Ye Disconsolate.

Hear this, oh people of the Covenant: The claim of Heaven’s Reign and the clamor over earth’s rule are woven together. The seed sown in one is harvested in the other. All questions of piety are questions of power. But the nature of power is contested.

No one can serve two masters.

There is this version of the Golden Rule: Those with the gold get to rule.

Say aloud: No one can serve two masters.

Then there is the original: Do unto others as you would to yourself.

Say it proud: No one can serve two masters.

Hoard your money or hallow your God: The one precludes the Other.

All gathered avow: No one can serve two masters.

You will hate the one or love the other; be devoted to one, despising the other.

Your checkbook declares your choice. Prayers and praise then align with that voice.

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Inspired by Luke 16:13.

As shadows advance with light’s retreat, prompt wings of the heart to fold in repose.

No fright scars the night, encircled in mercy.

As western sky fades, with compline’s approach, prompt vigilant hands to fold in repose.

No fright scars the night, encircled in mercy.

As silence descends, distraction restrained, prompt anxious eyes to fold in repose.

No fright scars the night, encircled in mercy.

For Your lap entreats, Your arms enfold, remind us again of the Promise foretold.

Behold! Behold! The mercy untold! Our refuge, our strength, secured in Your hold.    

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Inspired by Psalm 131.

Nicodemus, stalwart among the Sincere-Upright Party of God, came to Jesus, confused.

“Rabbi-teacher,” says he, “your walk conforms to your word; your call, to your claim; your feats, to your faith. Why do you distance yourself from our Party?”

“Dear Brother Nicodemus,” Jesus replied, “none could be so right and so wrong. To walk in the Way requires birth from Above on the wings of a dove.”

“Can any re-enter a mother’s womb, to squeeze again through birth canal?” asked the stalwart.

“For God so loved,” said Jesus.

God so loved.

For God so loved the world—not just the soul, but the whole.

Every mountain, every mole.

The world’s ablaze with the Only Begotten, if we only had eyes to behold.

Like the wind upon the waters, the voice upon the deep,

Let the Spirit soak and save you, whole and lasting life to keep.

{Leader}  In this watchful season, we gather ’round the table of bounty to embrace newcomers to our Circle and to renew our covenant vows. To these new ones, we ask: Do you know where you are, what are you promising, and what is being promised to you?

{New Members}  What place is this? Remind us of what we need to know.

This is a sanctuary of refuge amid the empire of enmity. Here hungry ones find food, and proud ones are scattered. Here mountains are brought low and valleys are lifted up. Here mercy trumps vengeance, and the whole earth learns to magnify God. Do you wish to be here?

Yes, we do. We have heard of such a place, where cries can be made and are tenderly heard. Where good tidings are told. Where voices find strength and the Gentle Shepherd embraces all who approach.

Be clear before you speak. Are you prepared to love God more than breath itself? To follow Jesus as the Spirit gives you vision? Are you prepared to know and be known in this Circle of companions?

Yes, we are ready. And now are you also ready? You have come here before us. Does any special honor come from that?

No honor save one: Of welcoming you into this Circle. It isn’t always easy here. We share in the conflicts common to all creation. Sometimes the vision seems slow, and weariness overtakes us. But joy sustains, and grace is sufficient. Our guiding creed is the Rule of Mercy. To its Author alone do we pledge faithfulness.

Then let us announce our intent together:

{All together, in unison}

The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, because God has anointed us to bring good news to the poor. God has sent us to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of Jubilee! Here we stand, together, servants of the One who turns us into friends. Here we stand, keeping watch, listening for the singing of angels, the approach of Magi, and the Advent of Hope Unbound.

Blessed One, who brings strength in the struggle for a new heaven and a new earth; who brings comfort when life unravels and hope is harsh; make us submissive in the manner of Mary. Give us wombs of welcome, for each other, for strangers in our path, even as for your Presence and Purpose. Let it be with us according to your word. Amen!

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Circle of Mercy Congregation has no indefinite membership. All are asked to reenlist annually, with a covenant renewal service on the first Sunday of Advent. This is also the occasion when we ritually welcome new members.

There never was a more holy age than ours, and never a less.

There is no less holiness at this time—as you are reading this—than there was the day the Red Sea parted.

There is no whit less might in heaven or on earth than there was the day Jesus said "Maid, arise" to the centurion's daughter, or the day Peter walked on water.

In any instant the sacred may wipe you with its finger. In any instant the bush may flare.

In any instant you may avail yourself of the power to love your enemies;
to accept failure, slander, or the grief of loss; or to endure torture.

"Each and every day,” says the Talmud, “the Divine Voice issues from Sinai."

And each and every day the People of Mercy confront Heaven’s bidding, yet again, to follow the Cloud of Presence.

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Annie Dillard, “For the Time Being,” slightly adapted.

Rejoice in the presence of those who resist the counsel of the arrogant, who sidestep the influence-peddlers, who refuse to participate in political payoffs.

Blessed One, multiply their presence in our midst! And may we have the courage to be among their number!

Welcome such women and men and children. Through their lives all Life is served. Like strong trees planted by the water, their fruits are abundant and their prosperity is shared by all.

Bountiful One, multiply their presence in our midst! And may we have the courage to be among their number!

Oh my people, do not be swayed by the promises of those who pit the strong against the weak; who assure that terror can be vanquished by even more terror. Their days are numbered. Like the chaff, their legacy will be scattered by the wind. Judgment awaits their reckless and ruinous schemes.

Benevolent One, grant persevering power to those who hunger and thirst for justice and mercy. Multiply their presence in our midst! And may we have the courage to be among their number!

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org. Inspired by Psalm 1.