Our Shared Prayers July

July 30

Heavenly Creator,

It is easy to see your hand in the power of rivers or the towering height of old trees.

It is easy to feel your presence around campfires with friends and in quiet moments filled with birdsongs.

It is easy to embody your love when our days are filled with scraped knees from games and our late nights are filled with good company.

It is harder to feel you near us when we leave this space of abundant creation and constant worship.

Help us to experience your spirit with us, even when it is not so easy to see, feel or embody.

Help us bring the joy of summer days and summer nights into the rest of our life, now and always.

Let us go in the light, life, and love of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, Amen.
 
Written and shared by Margo Ratzlaff, Calgary First Mennonite, Program Assistant at Camp Valaqua for summer 2025. 

July 23

A Camp Valaqua Prayer
One way to think about a place like Camp Valaqua is as a river. Even when we are not physically at Camp, we can imagine ourselves standing by the river, watching the water go by and we are grateful. Grateful for this place. Grateful for those who are there right now and those who have been there in the past.

For our prayer this week, we gathered words of gratitude, imagining them floating down the river, a prayer of thanksgiving from all of us. 
Campers, staff and others have contributed words of thanks. Please pray with us. 

July 16

A Camp Valaqua Prayer

Before the Lord, just as we are
Heavenly Creator we know that you are working in us and through us, exactly as we are. We pray that being here at camp and spending time by the river will help us to hear your song and encourage us to find our voices.  Help us to remember that even if we think our voices are too week or not good enough, you take joy in all of our songs. 

Before the Lord, our Light Shines
Light of the world, we thank you for the light you provide to us in this world, the light of the sun, the light of each other and the light of Jeus.  Let our light shine to show your glory that is reflected in each of us. 

Before the Lord, we are Gardeners
Creator, you are the original gardener.  You plant the seeds of everything on this earth including planting your word in our hearts.  Encourage us to tend the gardens of our own lives with the nutrients of prayer and fellowship so that your word might bloom and grow in us. 

Before the Lord, we build a strong foundation
Builder of the universe, thank you that you have given us the tools, through your word, to build a strong foundation for our lives.  Help us each to put your teachings into practice as we play, work, and praise together.

Before the Lord, like Jesus
Holy shepherd, lead us as your special sheep.  Help us to see with your eyes and guide us to be your hands and feet, extending your love into the world around us.  Help us to make good choices and give us the courage to adopt new behaviours that share love with all those we encounter.

Before the Lord, we are One
Creator God, help us to remember that we are all part of one body, but that we each have our own individual roles to play.  Guide us to recognise and celebrate these differences, always considering how we can come together as one before you. 

Used and shared by this week's Camp Chaplain, Lillian Nicholson, adapted from Before the Lord with Joyful Songs, the curriculum guide for Camp Valaqua 2025, written by Jenn Ratzlaff, Calgary First Mennonite. 
 

July 9

Written and shared by rob peters, Foothills Mennonite, Camp Valaqua chaplain for this week.

July 2  Mykayla Turner