Good Summertime Prayers: Summer’s here guys!!! As we enjoy the warm days of summer, the season of no school and swimming pools has finally arrived. With all that this season brings — its new opportunities to let the changing seasons change our rhythms and routines and, perhaps, draw us deeper into prayer and closer to God. Here are a few thoughtful prayers to help guide you as you invite God to be a part of this summertime.
Long warm days…
The pace of life slows…
A time for picnics and rest in the shade…
Lord, help me to rest awhile
in the cooling shade of your presence.
Slow down my restless heart and
fill me with
gentle compassion for all your people.
Jesus, thank you for Summer. Thank you for light and warmth. Thank you for the sun. Thank you for the gifts of nature and for the annual cycles and seasons. Today, give us that grace again, to see you as the Creator, the One who lifts us up to be with you forever, even now.
Dear God,
Let us revel in summer.
Let us soak up the long days and warm sun.
May our feet walk on sandy beaches and our heads rest on thick grass under blue skies.
May we listen to and marvel at the singing of the birds and stop to watch blissful children at play
This summer, God, may our breathing slow and our hearts open. God help us to be present to all that is so that we might best see all that might be.
Joyful God, we thank you for this time together. We thank for for the sun in the sky, the cool sea water, and the sand. We thank you for yummy snacks, buckets, pales and beach umbrellas. We thank you for our family, our friends and the life guards who keep us safe. We ask that you bless us on this beautiful day and we praise you for this beautiful Creation that you have entrusted to us.
The warmth of the sun’s embrace,
the gentle breeze swept in by incoming tide,
the rhythm of seasons,
of new birth,
death and recreation.
All these speak so clearly of your love,
your power
and your beauty.
All are expressions of your creativity,
and more importantly of yourself.
As an artist might share his personality
within each brushstroke,
so within the myriad colours of a butterfly’s wing
you share the exuberance of your love.
As the sun rises, Lord, Let your light shine on me. Destroy the darkness about me, Scatter the darkness before me, Disperse the darkness behind me, Dispel the darkness within me. Let your light shine on me. As the sun rises, Lord, Let your light shine on me. The warmth of your Presence, The brightness of your love, The radiance of your joy, The shining of your hope. Let your light shine on me. As the sun rises, Lord, Let your light shine on me. Your light to guide, Your light to lead, Your light to direct, Your light to brighten. Let your light shine on me.
Take time to claim your strength; they are gifts of God.
Take time to have fun; it’s God’s way of teaching you your strengths.
Take time to grow yourself; only you can grow you.
Take time to trust yourself; God trusts you.
Take time to be self-reliant; it is better than being dependent.
Take time to share with others; they will bless you, and you will bless them.
Take time to have hope, you are a child of God.
Let’s put ourselves into the hands of the Lord, and pray that God will bless us and our families during the wonderful months of summer. May we all help make our home a place of relaxation, joy, love, peace and safety. May we be generous and considerate, not thinking only about ourselves, but helping others enjoy the blessings of summertime. Lord God, Creator of all things, guide our steps and strengthen our hearts, during these months of summer and vacation days. Grant us refreshment of mind and body. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
May we make our homes places of relaxation,
joy, love, peace and safety.
May we be generous and considerate,
not thinking only about ourselves,
but helping others enjoy the blessings of the summertime.
Lord God, Creator of all things,
guide our steps and strengthen our hearts
during these months of summer and vacation days.
Grant us refreshment of mind and body.
May we constantly strive to make a meaningful difference
in the lives of our loved ones and in the world around us
as we enjoy the warm days of summertime.
As they start nursery or school for the first time – give them joy in new experiences As they move to new classes – give them confidence in growing friendships As they move to new schools – give them strength in their growing independence As they move on to college or university – give them wisdom in their maturity And for all the teachers, assistants, helpers, careers and volunteers who teach and nurture our children and young people, we ask for your blessing, your joy, your wisdom and your patience as they re-charge their batteries over the summer break, ready for the new term!
Father, Creator of all, thank You for summer!
Thank you for the warmth of the sun
and the increased daylight.
Thank You for the beauty I see all around me
and for the opportunity to be outside and enjoy Your creation.
Thank You for the increased time I have to be with my friends and family,
and for the more casual pace of the summer season.
Draw me closer to You this summer.
Teach me how I can pray
no matter where I am or what I am doing.
Warm my soul with the awareness of Your presence
and light my path with Your Word and Counsel.
As I enjoy Your creation, create in me
a pure heart and a hunger and a thirst for You.
May you walk with God
This summer
In whatever you do
Wherever you go
Walking with God means…
Walking with honesty
And with courage,
Walking with love
And respect
And concern for the feelings of others
May you talk to God
This summer
And every day and
In every situation
Talking with God means…
Praying words of praise
For the beauty of creation
Saying prayers of thanks
For friends and good times,
Asking God’s help
In all your decisions
Expressing sorrow
When you have failed
May you talk with God
Every day. Amen.
Creator God
who breathed this world into being,
who is discernible within
the harmony of nature,
the perfection of a butterfly’s wing,
the grandeur of a mountain range,
the soaring eagle and humming bird,
thank you for this world
which you have created.
Thank you for summer sun,
which reminds us
that your creative breath
is still alive and active.
Thank you for the warmth of your love,
sustaining this world.
Father,
This summer will be
full of new experiences
for me and my friends:
new jobs, exciting mission trips,
and vacations to places
we’ve never been before.
Grow us, stretch us
through whatever we do,
and through wherever we go,
so that we’ll end the summer
just a little more like you.