Elizabeth Gelfeld
May 4, 2025
Third Sunday of Easter
As many Seekers were on Silent Retreat at Dayspring this weekend, the sermon time for the regular worship service was devoted to silent prayer and meditation.
The liturgist began with a version of the breath prayer that Cynthia Dahlin led during her sermon on March 9, 2025.
Opening:
Take a breath. Now take a deeper breath.
Close your eyes, and lay your hands open on your lap.
Take another breath.
Feel your feet on the floor, feel the weight of your hands.
Be aware of your heartbeat.
Give your mind a rest, just focus on your breathing.
You have joined this community to find new life.
Can you let energy come into your lungs as you breathe.
Part of renewing the spirit within us comes from stopping, for a few moments, our continual analysis of daily problems.
And letting the spirit flow to wherever we need spirit filling, or wherever we can help to nourish the spirit of others.
Okay, take another deep breath, then open your eyes and look around the community. Remember those who join us in spirit from Dayspring today. Notice the connections we have with one another.
These connections are part of how we are reborn every day.
Let us continue now in spirit together, in prayer.
Closing:
Holy One, we thank you for your presence with us in every moment.
Bless this time we spend in prayer together.
Hear our prayers, and send your Spirit
to renew the face of the earth,
and all who dwell therein.
Amen.