Celtic Christian tradition<\/a> which had a deep sense of connectedness to God\u2019s creation. In the morning we interweave times of meditation and study of God\u2019s word with responsive readings and worship songs. In the afternoon there is time to walk the prayer trails and the labyrinth, chat together or withdraw for quiet mediation \u00a0Our theme this year is building community.<\/p>\nBelow are some of the introductory prayers that we will use at the retreat which I thought you might enjoy. \u00a0The first part of the prayer is adapted from a Native American prayer. \u00a0The second is adapted from Jude 1:20, 21 and 1 Corinthians 3:11<\/p>\n
Gathering prayer:<\/strong><\/p>\nCreator God, loving God, maker of all life, compassionate and caring One. \u00a0We give you thanks for all you are and all you bring to us for our visit within your creation.<\/p>\n
In Jesus, you place the gospel at the centre of this sacred circle through which all creation is related.<\/strong><\/p>\nYou show us the way to live a generous and compassionate life.\u00a0 Give us your strength to live together with respect and commitment as we build your community and grow together in your Spirit,<\/p>\n
For you are God now and forever Amen<\/strong><\/p>\n(Silence)<\/p>\n
God we gather in the midst of your creation,<\/p>\n
To build each other up in the faith you have given us.<\/p>\n
God we come, not alone but as part of your community.<\/strong><\/p>\nWe come from isolated lives and self centred living seeking community,<\/p>\n
So that together we might be kept safe in God\u2019s love,<\/p>\n
God we come, not alone but as part of your community.<\/strong><\/p>\nAs we build together may we pray in the power of the Holy Spirit,<\/p>\n
And await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ open our eyes to see you,<\/p>\n
God we come, not alone but as part of your community.<\/strong><\/p>\nNo one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have \u2013 Jesus Christ,<\/p>\n
Who takes our anxious thoughts and the worries that blind our sight,<\/p>\n
God we come, not alone but as part of your community.<\/strong><\/p>\nRescue us dear God from the tumult of our busy lives,<\/p>\n
Bind us together as we breathe your quiet presence,<\/p>\n
God we come, not alone but as part of your community.<\/strong><\/p>\nHeavenly God, you who are community shelter us;<\/p>\n
Christ before us and behind us, Holy Spirit deep within us;<\/p>\n
God we come, not alone but as part of your community.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Summer is well underway, the garden continues to flourish and I am taking time to sit back and enjoy the harvest – not just the harvest of tomatoes and squash that are burgeoning in abundance, but also the harvest of beauty and of peace. This is the season when we all feel like sitting back and relaxing. And I recommend that everyone make sure that they do just that.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":281,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[79,123,173,175,385],"class_list":["post-1058","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-community","tag-eco-monasticism","tag-garden","tag-gardening","tag-prayer-retreat"],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/a>Summer is well underway, the garden continues to flourish and I am taking time to sit back and enjoy the harvest \u2013 not just the harvest of tomatoes and squash that are burgeoning in abundance, but also the harvest of beauty and of peace. \u00a0This is the season when we all feel like sitting back and relaxing. \u00a0And I recommend that everyone make sure that they do just that.<\/p>\n