Autumn Prayers

With signs of the autumn season all around us we open our hearts today to the God who set these rhythms in place and who understands all that changes in us and around us as we move through each day.

We begin our prayers today with these familiar words from the Bible:

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die.

A time to plant and a time to harvest.

A time to kill and a time to heal.

A time to tear down and a time to build up.

A time to cry and a time to laugh.

A time to grieve and a time to dance.

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.

A time to embrace and a time to turn away.

A time to search and a time to quit searching.

A time to keep and a time to throw away.

A time to tear and a time to mend.

A time to be quiet and a time to speak.

A time to love and a time to hate.

A time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

O God of Creation, you have blessed us with the changing of the seasons. As we welcome the autumn months, may the earlier setting of the sun remind us to take time to rest.

May the brilliant colors of the leaves remind us of the wonder of your creation. May the steam of our breath in the cool air remind us that it is you who give us the breath of life.

May the harvest from the fields remind us of the abundance we have been given and bounty we are to share with others. May the dying of summer's spirit remind us of your great promise that death is temporary and life is eternal.

We praise you for your goodness forever and ever.  Amen (jesuitrescource.org)

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  Galatians 6:9

Abba, Father, the trees are ablaze with your glory. The seasons change, but you never do.  You are always beautiful, in the green and freshness of spring as in the golds and reds and chills of autumn.

Make me like you. Let my life reflect your beauty, season after season, as the calendar of my life turns and turns and turns. The trees are letting go of this year's foliage. Help me let go of both blessings and burdens, and surrender them both to your loving care.

Fallen leaves pattern the ground with variety. So design my own fallings and failings into whatever design will please you most. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.  (Guideposts)