Meditation Manuals
Barbara J. PescanAlso appropriate as Prayers
Prayer for those Gathered in Worship
In this familiar place, listen:to the sounds of breathing, creaking chairs,
shuffling feet, clearing throats, and sighing all around
Know that each breath, movement, the glance
meant for you or intercepted
holds a life within it.
These are signs
that we choose to be in this company
have things to say to each other
things not yet said but in each other’s presence still
trembling behind our hearts’ doors
these doors closed but unlocked
each silent thing waiting
on the threshold between unknowing and knowing,
between being hidden and being known.
Find the silence among these people
and listen to it all—breathing, sighs,
movement, holding back—
hear the tears that have not yet reached their eyes
perhaps they are your own
hear also the laughter building deep where joy abides
despite everything.
Listen: rejoice. And say Amen.
Source: "Day of Promise: Collected Meditations, vol. 1" edited by Kathleen Montgomery (Skinner House, 2001)
Copyright: The author has given Unitarian Universalist Association member congregations permission to reprint this piece for use in public worship. Any reprints must acknowledge the name of the author.
For more information contact worshipweb @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
