Valentine's Day Prayer Service
Preparation for Prayer
Let your heart become still and your mind quiet. Feel the softness of God’s presence around you as you listen to the ringing of the bell.
Chant
Let my prayer arise, O Lord, like incense before You.
Like the evening sacrifice, be the raising of my hands.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever, Amen. Alleluia.
Opening Reading
Come, my Savior, comfort my soul!
Make me steadfast in my love for you,
So that I never cease loving…
When I began to love, your love laid hold of my heart
And would allow me to desire nothing save love...
There is a delightful warmth in the loving heart…
And from it has issued sweetness,
And in particular, music which comes in to soothe the soul,
For there you, my God and my comfort,
Have set up your Temple.
—Richard Rolle b. 1300
A Psalm
Your love, O Lord, for ever will I sing;
From age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever;
You have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
—Psalm 103:1-2
A Reading from the Bible
“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
—John 13:34-35
Reflection followed by Silence
Now close your eyes for a time of brief reflection and meditation. Take a deep breath and quiet your soul. Let these verses on love from the Bible reach deep into the core of your being where they can take root and grow.
I have loved you with an everlasting love
Therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. –Jeremiah 31:3
There is no fear in love,
Perfect love casts out fear. – I John 4:18a
God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God,
And God abides in them. – I John 4:16
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. – I John 4:7-8
If we love one another, God lives in us
And God’s love is perfected in us. – I John 4:12a
Now take a moment to reflect on this question: Where are the pockets in my soul that need to feel the deep love of God, and where are the feelings of love that I can share with others?
Invitation to Prayer
Take some moments now to offer the concerns of your heart to heaven. Remember those who are in pain, those who are afraid, those who are alone, those whom you love, those who are dying, and those who are already in heaven, and pray for the needs of your own life.
(Silence)
Prayer
Gracious God, the tendrils of love that others offer sometimes feel frayed and damaged. The love I have to share with others sometimes feels strained and contrived. The love that comes from you sometimes feels distant and unreal. When love is less than I would like it to be, give me the strength to quiet my heart long enough to bring it to the edge of your embrace where you can touch it and fill it and make it whole. I ask this for the sake of your love. Amen.
A Blessing
In the busy and in the hushed moments of your life; or when you feel yourself filled with fear, or loneliness looms all around; or when hopefulness beckons your heart and you are exultant in joy, may you know the unconditional and eternal love of God washing over you with the greatest gentleness as loving balm; and may the blessing of God be with you now and always. Amen.
Song
And so the yearning strong, with which the soul will long,
Shall far out pass the power of human telling;
For none can guess its grace, till Love create a place
Wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.
—Come Down, O Love Divine – vs. 3 – Hymnal 1982
Featured musical selection on audio is from Talking Taco Music: Scriptures by Covita, "Forgiveness" © 2005 by Covita Scelsa Moroney, Daughters of Apollo Music Publishing (ASCAP)
