A Liturgy For Arkansas Birds

Oh Lord our Maker:
Everything You created,
everything that has breath,
praises you. And which of
Your creatures sing more joyfully
of your love and grace than the birds?

From the banks of the Buffalo
to our own backyards, they make
their music with melodies that both
delight you – and delight in You.
And you remind us in Your Word that,
if we have ears to hear, the birds
will teach us how to praise You too.

Let us consider the birds,
and learn their songs of praise.

You made some birds to migrate.
We are grateful for the rare sight
of geese in their going,
waxwings in their wanderings,
teaching us that You have given
to everything a season. As these
winged pilgrims pass over our heads,
may we remember that we, too, are
not yet home – but Your Spirit is
leading us there.

Let us consider the birds,
and practice their flights of faith.


And what about the birds who stay?
The robins, jays, cardinals and chickadees
who make their nests in our neighborhoods
and whose songs make up the soundtrack
of this place. Lord, convict us if we ever
find their hymns boring simply because
they are ordinary! Let their ever-present songs
remind us that the day-to-day, here-and-now
is holy when we offer it to you in faith.

Let us consider the birds,
and meet each day with joy.

With you, Lord, there are no
unimportant people – or birds.
Finches and sparrows, though small,
are as crucial to creation’s choir as
the hawks and herons who thrill us
with their majesty. As we consider
the birds, teach us to see the people
we meet as precious in Your sight,
for they are all – whether powerful
or impoverished – worth more
than many sparrows.

Let us consider the birds,
and learn their songs of praise.