We bind onto ourselves
the loving power of God our Creator,
the enlivening power of the Spirit of Truth,
and the steadfast faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
We bind onto ourselves the virtues
Of our God, three in one.
We bind onto ourselves
the glories of the earth, this gift:
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of the earth.
We bind to ourselves today
God’s Power to guide us,
God’s Might to uphold us,
God’s Wisdom to teach us
God’s Eye to watch over us,
God’s Ear to hear us
God’s Word to give us speech.
Against the power of hatred
Against the power of organized hate groups,
Against hatred that is tolerated on social media,
Against the hatred in the hearts of young men who took guns and went to mosques to kill and maim,
Against hatred in our own hearts towards any group,
good Lord, protect us.
For all who are grieving,
and cannot be comforted,
good Lord, hear our prayer.
Against sickness and pain,
good Lord preserve us.
God’s Power to guide us,
God’s Might to uphold us,
God’s Wisdom to teach us
God’s Eye to watch over us,
God’s Ear to hear us
God’s Word to give us speech,
God’s Hand to guide us.
Christ with us, Christ before us,
Christ behind us,Christ within us,
Christ beneath us, Christ above us.
We bind to ourselves the love of Christ that will not let us go,
and the strength to share that love with everyone we meet. Amen.
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.