Moving Prayer Flags to Paper

This summer and early fall, we have made and lifted prayer flags in Cathedral Park,

watching them move in the breeze while we explored both the discomfort and the promise embedded in these times. The church calendar describes the span between Pentecost and Advent as “ordinary times”, but 2020 feels decidedly not ordinary.

Why don't we bring the spirit of the prayer flags indoors and continue working with it, this time committing our prayers to paper.

Prayers are filled with our hopes, fears, felt needs and thanksgivings. ..a very wide range of emotions. Our history is rich with examples, beginning very early.

Think of the Psalms!

“Give ear to my words, Yahweh,
spare a thought for my sighing,
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God!” ~Psalm 5

“Adoration I offer, Yahweh, with my whole heart,
I recount all your wonders,
I rejoice and delight in you,
I sing to your name, Most High.” ~Psalm 25

“God of vengeance, Yahweh,
God of vengeance shine forth!
Arise, judge of the world,
give back the proud what they deserve!” ~Psalm 94

“Alleluia! Praise Yahweh from the heavens,
praise him in the heights.
Praise him, all his angels,
praise him, all his host!” ~Psalm 148

“I cry to God in my distress;
I cry to God and he hears me.” ~Psalm 77, The New Jerusalem Bible

Also, remember the contemporary prayers that appeal to you.

What is it about them that stirs you? Language, rhythm, images, color?

Consider composing a new prayer of your own, in the context of your situation,

your tribe or the larger community.

What would you want the prayer to include? What would the prayer look like? How would it feel?