The Transfiguration: an intriguing event presented in the three Synoptic Gospels. Mark (which majority scholarly opinion says is the first gospel), especially, connects Jesus’ baptism, the Transfiguration, and his crucifixion. In all three, we encounter ‘Elijah’ – in the person of John the Baptist, as… I don’t know… a Force ghost, I guess, at the Transfiguration, and referenced at the crucifixion after Jesus cries out, “Eloi, eloi, lama sabbachthani.” Jesus is declared ‘Son of God’ at all three events, twice by the voice of God and finally by a Roman centurion.

Many of us, I think (me included), struggle to know what to make of the Transfiguration. It’s clear that Peter, James and John, who accompanied Jesus up the mount, didn’t know what to make of it either. What can be said, though, is that in this event, we see a veiled part of Jesus unveiled. This coming Tuesday, August 6th, the church remembers the Transfiguration. Hopefully, these prayers help you to do so.

Morning Prayers

Glory to the Father, from whom we draw life and breath;
Glory to the Son, through whom we learn the nature of love;
Glory to the Spirit, by whom we walk the path of reckoning, repentance and renewal;
All glory to God, immeasurable, yet embraceable,
As it has ever been,
As it ever shall be,
World without end.

Prayer of Glory:

Not in cloud or in fire, but in tracts of village dirt,
Not in a gilded temple, but in the hills of rock and wildflowers,
Not in shining robes, but in rugged and tattered garments,
Not in inlaid jewels, but in twisted thorns,
Not in a seat upon a dais, but in the gnarled wood of a cross.

In these, Son of Man, your real glory is shown –
A glory raw, approachable, accessible, 
A glory beyond all others.

Today, may we all come face to face
With the glory that belongs only to you,
The glory that welcomes,
The glory that enfolds,
The glory that weeps,
The glory that heals.

Personal prayers for others

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Readings:

As many of these scripture readings as you like can be read throughout the week. Since you won’t be tested on them, feel free to skip any if you prefer to read just a few or even one passage slowly and contemplatively.

Old Testament: Genesis 7:17 – 8:14
Psalms: Psalms 10 and 11
Gospel: Mark 3:1-12; Mark 3:13-35
Epistle: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

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Prayer of Speechlessness:

Son of God, as if on the holy mountain,
We know not what to say.
We stagger for our words,
As though staggering drunkenly from a pub.
We know not what to pray;
Our thoughts and whims and wants 
Tangle like cables left too long in a box.
We are told to listen,
But we know not how to hear,
For hearing requires attention,
And attention we do not have.

Son of God, help us in our struggles.
Help us to hear what we must,
To want we should,
To seek what is true,
To pray for what is just.

Personal requests for today

Our Father:

Our Father in the heavens,
May your name be holy.
Let your kingdom come and your will be done on the earth,
Just as it is in heaven.
Grant us the nourishment we need today,
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive those indebted to us,
And lead us not into the test,
But save us from evil.

Evening Prayers

Glory to the Father, from whom we draw life and breath;
Glory to the Son, through whom we learn the nature of love;
Glory to the Spirit, by whom we walk the path of reckoning, repentance and renewal;
All glory to God, immeasurable, yet embraceable,
As it has ever been,
As it ever shall be,
World without end.

Prayer of Acknowledgement:

Lord Jesus Christ,
At the close of the day, we acknowledge
We did not, at every moment, walk in your tracks,
Or follow your teachings,
Or speak with your words,
Or act with your kindness.

But we acknowledge, too, your infinite mercy,
Your grace and your understanding.
We acknowledge that tomorrow 
The sun will rise once again,
And so will we, with renewed will
To pursue once more the ways of our teacher.

Personal prayers for tomorrow 

Prayer of Your People

For those who are unseen, let your people be your eyes.
For those who are unheard, let your people be your ears.
For those who are powerless, let your people be your voice.
For those who are unwelcome, let your people be your arms.
For those who are in pain, let your people be your tears.
For those who are poor, let your people be purse, your wallet.
For all who are lost, let your people be your love.

Personal prayers for others

Our Father:

Our Father in the heavens,
May your name be holy.
Let your kingdom come and your will be done on the earth,
Just as it is in heaven.
Grant us the nourishment we need today,
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive those indebted to us,
And lead us not into the test,
But save us from evil.

Benediction:

May you see the glory of God,
In the raw and unorthodox spaces of your days,
In their unforeseen moments,
And in the eyes of those you meet.

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