In old English, the word hope was more similar to the way we use the word trust. When one would say, “I hope….” they would be speaking it into existence. Willing it into being. What if we changed our notion of hope - something that can often feel wispy or casual - into trust? What if we prayed as if we expected something to change? What if we worked knowing that our efforts will materialize into generative differences? What would that change in us if we trusted ourselves, each other, and God more?
Of course, prayers will be answered in ways that don’t always feel like an answered prayer and so much of the important work we commit ourselves to is too large to be done in our lifetime, but what if we believed in the core of our being that it’s all worth the risk?
One of my favorite morning prayers comes from the Corrymeela community in Ireland. It helps me trust my efforts for the day are enough and to trust that God will meet me in the day.
Let us pray:
We begin our day alone,
honouring this life, with all its potentials and possibilities.
We begin our day with trust,
knowing we are created for loving encounter.
We begin our day with hope,
knowing the day can hold love, kindness, forgiveness and justice.
We recall our day yesterday,
May we learn, may we love, may we live on. We make room for the unexpected,
May we find wisdom and life in the unexpected.
Help us to embrace possibility, respond graciously to disappointment and hold tenderly those we encounter.
Help us be fully present to the day.
A short silence
We pray for all whose day will be difficult,
May we support, may we listen, may we change.
We resolve to live life in its fullness:
We will welcome the people who’ll be part of this day.
We will greet God in ordinary and hidden moments.
We will live the life we are living.
A short silence
May we find the wisdom we need,
God be with us.
May we hear the needs of those we meet,
God be with us.
May we love the life that we are given,
God be with us.
What are the prayers on your heart today? What do you trust God to be a part of? What do you trust into the care of loving community to hold with you?
Oremus, let us pray.