I’ve been drinking from a mug I got on my recent trip to Scotland. It is reminding me of all the beauty and beautiful things Jesus did on our pilgrimage. It helps me to start my day in joy and gratitude. I invite you to join me in praying with your cup today and drinking from the CUP OF GRATITUDE.
Grab a favorite mug or cup to pray with today. Fill it with your favorite tea, coffee etc.
OPENING PRAYER
Uncrowd my heart, O God,
Until silence speaks
In your still, small voice;
Turn me from the hearing of words, and the making of words,
And the confusion of much speaking,
To listening
To waiting
To stillness and
To Silence. In the name of Jesus AMEN
( based on a Prayer by Thomas Merton)
Consider your cup…the colors, the shape, the size.
What do you like about it? Why did you choose it?
Drink from your cup. Consider all the gifts in your life today. The good things that bring you joy. Make a list.
You could even draw the outline of a cup and write down the GOOD THINGS that are filling it up today. ALL THE THINGS that your are grateful for….You can do this with people of all ages around your table at breakfast or dinner time.
HOLD YOUR CUP…What are the good things in your cup? NAME THEM
What are the things that made you smile yesterday (if you are doing this in the morning) Today if you are doing this in the evening? My friend’s dog Gus, The sunflowers in my blue vase, the rain after so many days of drought
What are the acts of kindness you’ve experienced? things done for you, or things you’ve done my friend bought me lunch, a friend took time to really listen to me, I took in the trash bins for a neighbor. Be thankful for the kindness and compassion in your world.
What things do you appreciate about your life ? My husband, our neighborhood, the gift of creativity. Thank Jesus for these things.
What else are you grateful for today? the rainy, cooler weather, my home, blueberries and strawberries for breakfast, good coffee!
What things are you carrying around in your cup today that you’d like to pour out?
What things do you need Jesus to hold instead of you? tell him and allow Jesus to have these heavy things!
What are you thirsty for today? Do you need more rest, more peace, more joy? Talk to Jesus about this.
What things are helping you experience more of God’s Love?
HOLD YOUR CUP and let Jesus pour his love into your cup and into you. DRINK IN HIS LOVE and be thankful for all the good things of your world today.
CLOSING CUP PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, help me to live today with an open heart, an open cup!
Open my heart to receive your love and help my cup to overflow.
Help me to pour your love out to others today…help me share your love with those I know and with those who don’t look, think, act, or live like I do.
Help me to see you in the eyes and faces of those I meet today.
Help me to see others as you see them.
Help me to be generous
Help me to be joyful
Help me to be thankful for all the blessings that you have given me….for all good gifts.
Even the things I take for granted like a warm bed, breakfast, a hot shower or a cold one on a hot day.
Protect each of us from ourselves…our fatigue, our frustration, our hunger for our own way, our bad attitudes and lack of faith…forgive us Jesus and fix our cups..
Fill our cups today Lord Jesus and let them overflow with your love and faithfulness!
Fill our cups today and help us to practice gratefulness in all that we do.
Fill our cups today with the ability to stop and rest and remember that rest is a gift.
Help us to remember that when we serve the “least of these”…the poor, the sick, the old, the hungry, the children, those on the margins,
WE ARE SERVING YOU!
In Your Name, AMEN!
Continue to drink in gratitude today! As a practice, you might choose a NEW CUP or a favorite one to be your CUP OF GRATITUDE for this season between now and ADVENT to remind you to drink in gratefulness and thanksgiving each day! Remember that you are greatly loved and you are not alone! Grateful for you! Lilly
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com