Poem: At the creek behind my house

Beneath the rock there hid a crawdad

Fists flashing—snapping like

Robotic hands in Orson Wells’ movies.

The first time it missed, next

latching under my finger nail pain

sent him flying into the air—an Icarus

Unnaturally flying, he fell upon limbs,

Rolled down leaves, hugged the bark–

A true gladiator defending fleeting life.

Out of the depths rose a murky bass

Riding a pale steed of silt stirred

As a hellish looking pike followed with him

Accosting the bait, the line went slack

Battling against the monsters of the deep

A forsaken crawdad was swallowed unto Death.

Off the hook it swam away

Treasure carted down to the netherworld

Until the sun will rise, and the rock rolls away.

Prayer for Holy Week

God Almighty, we look to you as the coming king,
knowing that your kingdom is not gained through the powers of this world,
but is a kingdom not of this world.
We lay down our clothes and praise your name,
asking that your kingdom come
and your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen.

Prayer for the Fifth Week of Lent

Almighty God,

bind us together as brothers and sisters in your Son,

to bring justice and mercy to the least of these,

and to care for the poor and the poor in spirit.

We are your family of broken vessels,

fill us with your grace and mercy,

that we may pour ourselves out to others.

Amen.

Prayer for the Fourth Week of Lent

God Almighty:

Knit us, your Church, together,
that we may be the garment that clothes the needy.

Pool us, your Church, together,
that we may be the means of hope for the poor.

Form us, your Church, together,
that we may be the food for the hungry.

Amen

Prayer for the Third Week of Lent

God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth,

set up your kingdom in our midst.

May we participate in your kingdom come,

through the power of the Holy Spirit.

May we seek to be in the world but not of it.

May we desire to bring compassion and mercy to all,

as you have shown to us, your disciples.

Amen.

Prayer for the Second Week of Lent

God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth:

Lead us into your eternal kingdom.

Bring it into our midst.

Invigorate us to do your will

and walk in your ways,

that we may pass the kingdom along

as seeds blown by the wind

of your Spirit.

Amen.