Call and Response: Litanies for Congregational Prayer, by Fran Pratt (Outpost Press © 2018) Reviewed by Kerry Greenhill Fran Pratt’s Call and Response: Litanies for Congregational Prayer is a meaningful addition to any pastor or worship leader’s bookshelf of resources. She brings the passion of a convert to liturgical worship, with energy and fresh, contemporaryContinue reading “Book Review: Call and Response: Litanies for Congregational Prayer, by Fran Pratt”
Tag Archives: prayer
Book Review: Pray Like a Gourmet
Pray Like a Gourmet: Creative Ways to Feed Your Soul, by David BrazzealReviewed by Kerry Greenhill I am a prayer book junkie. I love books on prayer and spirituality – I love buying them, love reading them, and sometimes I even put them into practice. Sometimes. So while I liked the premise of Pray LikeContinue reading “Book Review: Pray Like a Gourmet”
When You Stop Walking on Water
For those stepping out of parish ministry The rhythms are differentthis side of the pulpit. Like walking ashoreafter hoursor weeks on rocking waves,your sea legs may persist awhile,unsteadying your gaitand haunting your dreamswith the sensation of motionin the midst of unmoving crowds. You will look up at the night skyand forget you do not haveContinue reading “When You Stop Walking on Water”
A Blessing for Those Beginning a New Ministry Appointment
to be read with the tongue positioned gently in the cheek May your car start easily and your keys turn smoothly to open the church doors;may your accompanist arrive early and your liturgist be on time.May you accurately gauge the height of chancel steps and the length of your robe,and may your microphone amplify yourContinue reading “A Blessing for Those Beginning a New Ministry Appointment”
Water Breaks
Another new year, another renewed commitment to writing. But this year I have a plan, and even with a baby on the way, I really will make it happen! Here’s a prayer-poem for the Baptism of Jesus, which is this Sunday. Water Breaks Frozen, it expands until it cannot be contained by pipes too fixedContinue reading “Water Breaks”
Kyrie eleison: on the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting
My heart breaks for the children, families, and community of Newtown, Connecticut today. Although I do not believe God causes or intends violence in the world, the phrase “Kyrie eleison,” ancient Greek for “Lord, have mercy,” keeps running through my mind. In a more extended form, this is my prayer: Mothering God, bring comfort toContinue reading “Kyrie eleison: on the Newtown, Connecticut, shooting”
God of the Whirlwind (a prayer-poem from a safe distance)
Great, generative, expansive God,we live in this universe beyond comprehensionon a planet we sometimes think we own,and we narrow our vision to human-sized concerns:paychecks and home repair, love and betrayal,the silence of infertility or the chaotic clutter of children’s clamor.We forget how wide and unbending the continent,how vast and all-conceiving the sea.Yet our sacred storiesContinue reading “God of the Whirlwind (a prayer-poem from a safe distance)”
Prayer for General Conference
So much for weekly blogging… I will post life/work/ministry updates sometime in the coming weeks, but for now I just wanted to share a prayer I am working on music for, as delegates from around the world meet in Tampa, Florida, to decide matters of great importance regarding the structure, policies, practices, and official teachingsContinue reading “Prayer for General Conference”
Football & Jesus
I am not watching football right now. You probably don’t care about that, but I should explain that currently, the Denver Broncos are playing (and getting their collective behinds handed to them by) the New England Patriots in a championship game. I live in Denver. I used to live in New England. So approximately halfContinue reading “Football & Jesus”
Holy Wholeness 