A Prayer For Moving

A Prayer for Moving

O God of beginnings and endings,

Would You guide us as we prepare to move?

You have been with us in the walls of this home,

And You will be with us as we go out.

Thank You for the ways these walls have held us

And the ways You’ve hemmed us in with Your love.

Every floorboard has a story;

Every room tells a tale.

Help our children to accept this move,

Whether they understand the whys or not.

And let us linger in what was

So that we may look to

What lies ahead.

God, as we pack boxes

And wrap all the fragile pieces,

Layer by layer,

We’re reminded of our fragile state,

How easily hearts can break.

May we remember that what makes a home

Is who we share it with.

And we thank You for the ways

We have grown together

As we have made this place our home.

May our children reflect on this space

As a place where they were nurtured,

Valued, and loved.

And we ask that You would help us

Unpack these memories

At the next place You have for us.

Spirit, go before us.

Spirit, dwell within us.

We pray for the next mothers and fathers,

Daughters and sons

Who will inhabit this space,

And we pray for the unfathomable number

Of parents and children

Who have no place to rest their heads tonight.

Even in this time of transition,

May we grow in empathy

To see where and how we can

Better love those among us.

We pray for the neighbors

We will wave goodbye to

And for those who will move in next.

We thank You for the good times

We have had here

And the difficult memories

Shared here too.

As we prepare to leave,

We look at our material abundance.

May we give freely

So others may have the opportunity to

Create their own homes too.

Bless the memories we made,

And be with us as we begin

a new chapter in our lives together.

May our children feel secure

In these times of change.

May they feel Your presence

Even in the unknowing,

And may we trust You

With their futures

And with ours.

Help us to be a house of hospitality

Wherever we live.

Let us live with warmth and welcome,

And always be open to entertaining a stranger,

For in doing so, we may welcome angels unawares.

And may we always set another place at the table.

O God, You move,

And You move us.

Be with us as we close this chapter

And begin a new one.

Hebrews 13:2; Genesis 12:1-4