Prayer, Attention, Relationship

  • “Exegesis is loving God enough to stop and listen carefully to what God says.” — Eugene Peterson, “Eat This Book”

Saturday, February 21, 2026

Prayer of Sacred Reading and Listening (Lectio Divina), Monday, February 23, 2026, 9:00am

 

Zoom Meeting ID: 814 8663 8380        Passcode: scripture

Link:   https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81486638380pwd=elNs





“Nicodemus”, Tanner, Henry Ossawa, 1859-1937



John 3: 1-17


1 Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with that person." 3 Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above." 4 Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' 8 The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 "Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen, yet you do not receive our testimony. 12 If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17 "Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him.



The Lord’s Prayer in Three Voices

Voice 1     Our Father who art in Heaven

Voice 2         Holy One beyond all names, Eternal Wellspring

Voice 3 O Great Spirit, our Father from above,

Voice 1 Hallowed be thy name Thy kingdom come

Voice 2 May love rise again in us today 

Voice 3 we honor your name as sacred and holy.

Voice 1 thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

Voice 2 with food for every table, shelter for every person,

Voice 3 Bring your good road to us, 

where the beauty of your ways in the spirit-world  

above is reflected in the earth below.

Voice 1 Give us this day our daily bread

Voice 2 and reverence for every living being.

Voice 3         Provide for us day by day

--the elk, the buffalo, and the salmon. 

The corn, the squash, and the wild rice. 

All the  things we need for each day.

Voice 1 Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us

Voice 2 Forgive us our failings in love,  and free us from all  

falseness, 

Voice 3 Release us from the things we have done wrong, 

in the same way we release others 

for the things done wrong to us.

Voice 1 and Lead us not into temptation,

Voice 2 that the light of our souls may shine 

Voice 3        Guide us away from the things that tempt us 

to stray from your good road

Voice 1      but deliver us from evil

Voice 2      and help the strength of our spirits endure 

for earth and all its people

Voice 3  and set us free from the evil one & his worthless ways.

Voice 1 For the kingdom, the power, & the glory are yours forever

Voice 2 this day, tonight,  and forever.  

Voice 1     Amen!

Voice 2   Yes, I commit! 

Voice 3   Aho! May it be so!

Texts  from  Matthew 6: 9-13 (NRSV), "Celtic Benediction," by John Phillip Newell,        

First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament.


Closing Prayer

God of amazing compassion, lover of our wayward race,

you bring to birth a pilgrim people, 

and call us to be a blessing for ourselves and all the world.

We pray for grace to take your generous gift and step with courage on this holy path,

confident in the radiant life that is your plan for us, 

made known and given in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


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