Blog: Forest Lake Talks

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor PRAYER FOR EASTER SUNDAY Alleluia, a new day dawns, all we thought God-forsaken and dead pulses with divine life and light. Risen Lord, we went to the graveyard expecting to mourn and attend to the rituals of death, but instead discovered the tomb empty and your living presence. God’s power to reverse and upend our greatest fears and assumed intractable realities shock us and all we can do is shout for joy. Amen.

This hymn text is written by Sir John Bowring (1792-1872), a Unitarian world traveler who could reportedly converse in 100 different languages.  The title of this hymn was engraved on his tombstone. In the cross of Christ I glory, towering o’er the wrecks of time; All the light of sacred story gathers round its head sublime. We tend to associate the cross with darkness, but this hymn is full of references to light.  The cross, which has outlasted and outshone all civilizations, is the focal point of hope for all generations.  As an extensive world traveler, the hymn author would…

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor PRAYERS FOR HOLY WEEK When all hope is lost and we see no way for goodness to overcome evil, God, come to our aid. When darkness overwhelms us and paralyzing uncertainty fells us, God, come to our side. When the liminal space between cross and resurrection feels eternal, God, come abide with us. Amen.

Dear God, This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! You, Lord, are not far from us. You promise not to forsake us, and as we enter the weekend, we ask for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. May the Spirit descend upon each of us in a time of anxiety, nervousness, and uncertainty. Through the flesh of Jesus Christ, a new way, a new life was opened to us. Jesus Christ, born in flesh, humbled in body and spirit; Jesus Christ, the one who extended his hand to those on…

Scottish hymn writer Elizabeth Clephane (1830 –1869) lost both her parents when she was very young.  She was in frail health most of her life.  In spite of her illnesses, Elizabeth joined her sister in caring for the poor and sick in their community.  Both women gave away most of their earthly belongings.  Miss Clephane composed this much-beloved Lenten hymn shortly before she died, but unfortunately didn’t live long enough to hear it put to music. Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; A home within…

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor PRAYERS FOR HOLY WEEK God whose giving knows no end, today your Son goes to the cross in our stead and for the sake of the world. He utters forgiveness with his last breath, unwilling to succumb to vengeance or hate. As we contemplate his sacrifice, we pray for the faith to imitate his endless compassion and unfathomable mercy. Amen.

First Prayer Dear God, As the day comes to a close, we are reminded of the command to love one another as you love us. We give you thanks for that love. Just as Jesus extended a hand to others, you call us to serve. For those in our hospitals, in our assisted living facilities, in our airports, in our grocery stores, we give you thanks for their hands. For their ears. For putting themselves out there. And for all others, Lord, who cannot work from home, who serve in other ways, thank you. Our world is hurting. A world…

The text of this hymn is often attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux.  Although this cannot be authenticated, we definitely can find Latin manuscripts from the 13th century that reference this text.  The words are, in essence, a poem that consists of seven parts.  Each part is designed to be sung on a different day of the week.  Each part also addresses a different part of Jesus’ body as he hung on the cross – his feet, knees, hands, side, breast, heart, and head. The present version is by James Alexander, who translated it from a German edition from 1656.  The…

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor PRAYERS FOR HOLY WEEK Servant Lord, your willingness to kneel at our feet astounds an d confounds us. Rarely do we choose the lesser, lower place. Often, we succumb to what ever inflates our egos. You tell us that people will know we are your followers by our love. May our tangible acts of service witness to our love for you and your love for creation. Amen.

Dear God, You are our light and salvation. You are the stronghold of our lives. Of whom shall we be afraid? Though troubles rise up, we shall not fear because we live in the house of the Lord. On this night, we gather as your people to pray. To pray for those are at peace. To pray for those who are anxious. To pray for those who had their fill. To pray for those who are hungry. And to pray for those who don’t know we’re praying for them. Lord, we give you thanks for hearing our prayers. Lift up…

The hymn, “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go,” was written by George Matheson in 1882.   It was included in the Scottish Hymnal in 1885.  According to Matheson, “I was at that time alone…Something had happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering.  The hymn was the fruit of that suffering.”  (William J Reynolds) The tune was composed by Albert L. Peace, specifically for Dr. Matheson’s hymn text. The words of each verse are poetic and evoke powerful images.  Can you envision a love so great that it will…

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor PRAYERS FOR HOLY WEEK In the middle of this holiest of weeks, distraction creeps close and we are tempted to act as if nothing exceptional is afoot. Lord, we forget that you are on the cusp of crucifixion and that we are to be intent on following you. Nudge us from obliviousness and heighten our awareness of the divine in the midst of the ordinary, in the center of this exceptional week. Amen.

Lord, we come before you tonight aware of your mercy and grace. Knowing you have heard our prayers, understanding that you are at work though we cannot always see it, and believing in your promise to not forsake us, thank you. We thank you that you are a God who bends down, inclines your ear to hear us, and sends the Holy Spirit to nudge us when we get off track. Thank you. Tonight, Lord, we pray not just for our city, state, and nation; we pray for our world. We give you thanks for the millions across this globe…

This beautiful hymn was written by Isaac Watts, the “Father of English Hymnody,” for communion.  Of the hundreds of hymns Watts composed, this is one of his most beloved texts. When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.  To survey something is more than to simply look at it.  When we survey something we appraise it – we measure its value.  How can we possibly put a value on the cross?  Philippians 3:7-8 says, “But whatever was to my profit I…

by Jill Duffield, Presbyterian Outlook editor PRAYERS FOR HOLY WEEK Lord Christ, how did you feel after your triumphant entry into Jerusalem, as you readied for the last meal with your friends and contemplated the betrayal and cross yet to come? Were your thoughts fraught with doubt and pain? Knowing you took on all our humanity, we thank you that none of our feelings or prayers, our questions or suffering, is unknown, off limits or unredeemed. Amen.