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Opening Prayer

Wind beneath our wings,

How can we possibly fly away from you
        When it is your breath blown into us;
        When it is your Word which moves us;
        When it is your Spirit that bears us up;
When it is You who loves us always?
With deepest gratitude, God, thank you!

As we soar in wonder and delight
Lift us clean to Paradise
here on earth.

Hide not your face from us, O God!
Reveal hints of your gleaming face
Show us your image in the face of the other.

And when we sense your face, Holy Presence,
        Let us not mumble.
Stir us to shout, Lord;
        To shout with joy;
        Giving praises for the Gift of Life!
Send us striding back to Egypt
        to bring good news to the poor,
        to proclaim release to the captives,
        and recovery of sight to the blind,
        to let the oppressed go free,
        and to proclaim that the year of Your favor is NOW!
Amen.

- - Pastoral Prayer by Rev. Eric Brotheridge
from Worship, July 22, 2007