Morning Prayer for the Inclusive Mind

A note: This is an adaptation of the Book of Common Prayer Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families on page 137. Most of the changes involve inclusive language, but I have also changed language (regretfully because of the beauty of the verse) because I do not believe that God would ever cast me away from her presence, or take her Holy Spirit from me. Rather I believe that I forget or distance myself from the Holy Spirit on occasion. I also change “Father” to “Abba” because what Jesus was saying was not “Father” but the Hebrew name for “papa" or "daddy.” And I use the New Zealand Prayer Book version of the Lord's Prayer.

In the Morning
From Psalm 51

Open my lips, Oh God,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Create in me a clean heart,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Help me to deeply feel your presence
and forget not your Holy Spirit.
Give me the joy of your saving help again
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen

A Reading
Blessed be the God and Abba of our Savior Jesus Christ!
By God’s great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

A period of meditation may follow.

A hymn or canticle may be used. The Apostle’s Creed may be said.

Prayers may be offered.

This alternative to The Lord’s Prayer from the New Zealand Prayer Book may be used.

Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and all that shall be,
Mother and Father of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven,

The Hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the people of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your reign of peace and freedom
Sustain our hope in heaven and on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that speaks of death and not of life, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
Now and forever, Amen.

The Collect
Oh God, almighty and everlasting Creator, you have brought us in safety to this new day. Preserve us with your great love and grant us your peace, which passes all understanding, that me might stay on your path, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfillment of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen