Kendall Smith, No-Div
Kendall is an elementary science teacher and an avid lover of books, nature, and long walks. She is easily distracted by thunderstorms and loves a good conversation over coffee.
A few weeks back I wrote in the blog post “The Other 6 ½ Days” about finding ways to recognize the sacredness of the entire week, not just Sunday mornings. One of my favorite ways to do this is found in a book of prayers written by Douglas McKelvey titled, Every Moment Holy. This book has been out for a few years, but I have owned my copy for about eighteen months. It has been a life-saver for those days (or weeks or months) when I just don’t know what to pray or really, how to pray.
McKelvey writes prayers for just about everything: A Liturgy “For the Keeping of Bees”, “For the Changing of Diapers”, “For Leaving on a Holiday”, “For Stargazing”... He also includes prayers for challenging moments: “For the Loss of Electricity”, “For those flooded by too much information”, “Before Shopping”, “For the Death of a Dream”...
The prayers are crafted in such a way that they affirm the goodness and Kingship of God, but also recognize God’s presence in the ordinary moments of daily life. “A Liturgy for the Ritual of Morning Coffee” is one of my favorites because it recenters my heart each morning on God’s ability to resurrect today what was broken yesterday.
These liturgies change my focus from the mundane tasks that I have to do every day, and lift my gaze upward to the beautiful Story that God is writing. McKelvey writes liturgies for the washing of windows, paying bills, for home repairs...but he also writes prayers for those more rare and delightful times: arriving at the ocean, leaving for a holiday, and setting up the Christmas tree.
There are prayers of sorrow and lament, such as “A Liturgy for those who have Not Done Great Things for God” where we are reminded of God’s good work in and through us and the call to simply obey our King and shepherd the gifts and tasks we are daily given.
Last week, I wrote about being “tethered” (remember Helen and Bill?) and for me, these prayers have been another way to tether myself to the Beauty and Truth of who God is.
They bring me back to what is right and true, and bring calm and peace to my often-racing mind.
They bring me back to a place of humble openness to the way God works in and through our world.
They encourage my heart with God’s vast love for me and those around me.
And they remind me again that there is a grand story that is being written-- “There is no corner of creation you will fail to redeem.” (from his benediction: “A Liturgy of Praise to the King of Creation”)
Here is my shameless plug: If you are feeling the need for a tether or find yourself struggling through prayer, I’d encourage you to get this book. It is perfectly fine to borrow prayers when our souls aren’t sure what to say. Choose a prayer each morning, read some throughout the day. Read them with your family! It is a beautiful way to acknowledge the sacredness of every moment.
**And if you’re already a Douglas McKelvey fan, check out this interview with him from earlier in the spring.