FEATHER: Almighty, we the children of your creation lift up to you our hearts, voices and needs. Hear us as we walk these uncertain days, when so much in our world is changing so fast that we cannot seem to grasp the truth in, or comprehend the depth of, our reality; thus we respond emotionally and without the long vision of your peace. These quick responses are not good for us or the community, we know, and yet pride demands that we try to defend our actions. Forgive us as we have forgotten and neglected to pause and remember that you walk with us; slow us that we might speak with you in prayer and listen for your voice. In that pausing, help us to open our hearts and spirits to hear and see you, that we might remember our calling and journey back to you. Help us this day to be better than we were yesterday and the day before; fill our hearts with humility, hope and peace that we might see others and invite them onto the good road that you have set before us. May your Spirit find always a welcome into our circles of community and family, and into our lives. This we pray in the name of your peace and promise. Amen.
SAGE: The month of April in the Woods Cree moon calendar is Niski Pisim or “Goose Moon.” The name of this month hints at changing seasons, when what we have known and lived with is made anew, new life begins, and a promise is offered.
April is a month filled with wonder and prayer, closing off the Lenten season when we in the church have walked with somber reverence and observance, right to the entrance of Holy Week. It’s a time when the church walks with our Lord and we together look into the mirror of introspection, at our role and place in the ultimate sacrifice for the redemption of all in our Creator’s great plan. Easter Morning opens our hearts with humility and wonder as new life and a promise are revealed—the promise that death and the great sleep have no power and are defeated through Creator’s Son, and that like the seasons we too are renewed and enlivened through the great sacrifice.
Prayer and humility walk hand in hand through faith, in the believing in that which is beyond qualification and quantification. Prayer is for those strong and peaceful hearts where the willingness to forgive resides. Praying without ceasing is our calling as believers: to offer our voice of thanksgiving for the gifts seen and unseen, and to believe that every prayer is heard and answered by the grace of God—though not always as we demand or expect; only through the hand of God Almighty is all completed and revealed.
I was once told that prayer was for the weak, but I believe that prayer is for those who can shed every last remnant of self to the will of God the Creator—just as our Lord did when he prayed in the garden, “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me, but let your will be done, not mine.” (Matthew 26:39) Amen.
