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utumn is a special season that enables us to come to terms with life and death. It is indeed a wonderful time for reflection on what it means to live and to die, to let go and to transform. Following is a suggestion on how we can incorporate the seasonal changes into our daily prayer so that we may be able to enrich our prayer experience.
1) Take a slow reflective walk through the park or some place where there are apparent signs of leaves changing or other things passing away. Think about the reality of your own death. How does that truth affect the way you live your life and relate to others?
2) Spend some time in an area where there are many fallen leaves. Listen to the leaves under your feet. Choose an autumn leaf and take it to your room. Let it keep you company; reflect on it sometimes as you pray during this month of October. Listen to the leaf: what does it tell you about your own process of growth and transformation?
3) Draw an autumn tree. Let it be a symbol of yourself:
- the roots: who and what has given you nourishment and vitality in life? What supports you and holds you up in times of important change?
- the trunk: what are your strengths? What events have channeled new life into you?
- the leaves: what is dying in your life now? What do you feel called to let go of?
- the bark: who or what protects you, comforts you?
- the buds: what is your hope?
4) Reflect on what is ripening/growing in your life. Make a list of your inner harvest, those parts of your deeper self that are maturing and becoming more whole.
A Prayer for Autumn Days
God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process.
God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so.
God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them.
God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this.
God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings.
God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision.
God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons.
God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful.
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