Cara Heafey

Easter morning celebration — Cara Heafey, UK

This morning we celebrate that hope lives, that new life pushes up though the soil, green and strong, that warmth and light return with the sun as a new day dawns. This morning we celebrate that there is no darkness that love cannot reach, no tomb that love cannot break open, no depths from which […]

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The Restlessness of Grief — Cara Heafey

Reflection for Easter Eve, ‘Holy’ Saturday The worst has happened. The disciples have fled. The cross stands bare. The tomb is sealed. Mary, dazed and exhausted by sorrow, fuggy with tears, makes her way to the grave. She doesn’t know what else to do with herself. Such is the restlessness of grief; when the wound […]

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Our dying, words of preparation — Cara Heafey

As we look back over the days we have lived May our hearts be filled with gratitude. We give thanks for each person and each moment that shaped our journey. Each brought us gifts; albeit some more welcome than others. We, too, have shaped the lives of others, in ways we may never know We […]

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Christmas blessing — Cara Heafey, UK

Let us proclaim that we have seen the glory of God believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness which the darkness shall not overcome. May the love of the Creator the joy of the Spirit and the peace of the Christ-child be with you this Christmas, and evermore.

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Reign of Christ, Intercessions — Cara Heafey, UK

Originally written for Reign of Christ Sunday*,  the last Sunday of the Church Year. God of love: hear our prayer. This morning we think about those who hold positions of power. We ask that you bless them with wisdom, convict them with conscience and afflict them with compassion for all those who are affected by […]

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Psalm 42 prayer – Cara Heafey, UK

Prayers of approach Based on the phrase in Psalm 42: “Deep calls to deep…” Eternal one, creator, God of covenant promise, ever-faithful, You commit to us. You continue to shape us. You know us. You are close to us as breath. Deep calls to deep… may we lean into your love. Jesus, Saviour, Lamb of […]

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Luke 2, Shepherd’s Report — Cara Heafey, UK

Luke 2:8-20 A shepherd’s recollection of that first Christmas, read as a dramatic monologue Note: shepherds and angel may be presented as female or male as desired.  Script It’s true! It sounds crazy, I know, but I’m telling you, it’s true. It was the most wonderful thing. We had the sheep in the fold for […]

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Autumn Prayers of Approach and Confession — Cara Heafey, UK

God our creator, The glory of this season reminds us of your artistry As nature displays a riot of colour: Bright berries on the hedgerows, Trees aflame with oranges and reds, Golden leaves carpeting the rich dark earth. Let all creation sing your praise! God our provider, The bounty of this season reminds us of […]

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Cara Heafey, liturgist, UK

Cara, a regular contributor to Worship Words, writes thoughtful worship resources emphasising the radical inclusiveness of the divine.  Cara, an ordained Minister in the United Reformed Church in Great Britain, writes, ‘I live in Oxford, in the UK, with my wife and two rescue dogs. I enjoy art, printmaking, writing and walks in fields and […]

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Lean into Grace, Call to Worship — Cara Heafey

Come, all you weary ones, you hopeful ones, you hurting ones. Bring your grateful hearts and your tender wounds. You are welcome here. Lean into the grace that invites you onto holy ground. Breathe in the love that surrounds you. You are welcome here. Come, Spirit of God, playful and wild. Truth-teller, change-bringer You are […]

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Photo of St. James Emsworth, Rachel Shaw, UK

Sending out & Blessing — Cara Heafey, UK

Originally written for 11th Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 13), Year C Let us go out with joy Awakened to the treasure within and around us, To bring transformation, challenge and hope to the world. And may the abundant blessings of God, Source, Saviour and Spirit Be yours today and always.

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Sending forth and blessing — Cara Heafey, UK

Written originally for Ascension Day, but usable throughout the year May you find time to stop and stare, to lift up your eyes. May you wonder at the miraculous and the beautiful, which are all around us waiting to be noticed. May your hope swoop and soar like a kite, trailing prayers behind it. And […]

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Prayer of Confession – Cara Heafey

Gracious God We confess our greed. To feed our insatiable appetites we have plundered the earth and its resources, stripped the forests, polluted the rivers, depleted the oceans, poisoned the soil, choked the good clean air. We take and hoard more than we need, leaving others without enough. We continue to feed the monsters that […]

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Hope lives, Easter Acclamation — Cara Heafey, UK

This morning we celebrate that hope lives, that new life pushes up though the soil, green and strong, that warmth and light return with the sun as a new day dawns. This morning we celebrate that there is no darkness that love cannot reach, no tomb that love cannot break open, no depths from which […]

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Help me stay awake, prayer — Cara Heafey, UK

Originally written for Good Friday Jesus, man of sorrows, give me the courage to be a faithful witness to those who are suffering. Help me to overcome my awkwardness and fear to sit with them among the ashes, and to stay alongside. Help me to not recoil from sickness or death, but to be a […]

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Kindle within us…Epiphany confessions — Cara Heafey, UK

Prayers of approach and confession for Epiphany Sunday – Year C God-with-us: This morning we will hear the story Of pilgrims from the east searching for you Rejoicing at their discovery, Kneeling before you in adoration. We confess that we do not seek you with the same hunger. Forgive our comfort. Our settling for easy […]

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New Year sending out and blessing — Cara Heafey, UK

Words for Epiphany and the New Year Let us look for Christ wherever we go Let us never stop seeking Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome And may the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the Christ-child […]

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Christmas Blessing — Cara Heafey, UK

Let us go from this place proclaiming That we have seen the glory of God Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome. May the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the Christ-child Be with you this Christmas, and […]

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Advent Confession — Cara Heafey, UK

When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem They found there was no room. We confess that in the midst of all our anxieties We have not made room in our hearts for others. We confess that, paralysed by fear, prejudice or apathy We have not made room in our homes for the stranger. We confess […]

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Climate prayer — Cara Heafey, UK

God our creator and provider the world you have made reflects your glory. Your praises are sung by the birds in their daybreak chorus and the wolf in her plaintive howl. Sacred melodies are played by the wind as she dances among trees or sweeps across grasses. Gentle percussion can be heard in raindrops and […]

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Prayer for Trans Visibility Day — Cara Heafey, UK

31 March Transgender Day of Visibility Creator-God, mother and father of us all, you delight in all that you have made. We rejoice in the glorious diversity of your creation. You have room to hold us all inside your love. Rebel Christ, at home on the margins, you rejected the names and labels others imposed […]

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Christ the ‘King’ — Cara Heafey, UK

This was originally written to be used as the opening prayer on Reign of Christ Sunday (traditional Christ the King Sunday). In spite of its language, I have included this prayer because Cara uses it to creatively critique the language of masculine power traditionally used to describe Jesus. Jesus, this morning we hail you as […]

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Confession, Reign of Christ Sunday — Cara Heafey, UK

Jesus said, “My realm is not of this world.” And yet, we confess, sometimes we still get seduced by the values of empire: wealth and power and glory. Loving God, you see us as we are. You know our secret battles and all the ways in which we fail to live out your call upon […]

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Reign of Christ, Call to worship — Cara Heafey, UK

Originally written for Reign of Christ Sunday*, the last Sunday of the Church Year. To be read responsively or by a single voice. Holy is the Creator of the heavens and the earth Of sunlight and starlight, forest and ocean. Holy is the composer of birdsong and thunderstorm. Let all creation sing praise! Holy is […]

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Communion

On-line communion thanksgiving — Cara Heafey, UK

Prayer after communion Please pray with me… Thank you for the grace that makes space for us at your table. Thank you for the familiar and beloved faces on our screens. Thank you for the closeness we experience through technology, and through sharing this meal together. May we continue our lives having been nourished and […]

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Lockdown Liturgy for Communion — Cara Heafey, UK

Participating in communion in my home, along with fellow Christians in their home, has proven, for me, a powerful expression of the living Body of Christ and the Priesthood of all Believers. Cara provides a complete communion liturgy to use on-line in either a live stream, podcast or Zoom-type platform. Ready-to-print copies: PDF Lockdown Liturgy […]

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Transforming our fears — Cara Heafey, UK

Our bodies are so fragile Our time here is so brief Our lives are but a single drop in the ocean of eternity And yet… We are known We are loved We are held May our fears about our death be transformed And may all our suffering be transfigured. May we discover, within ourselves, a […]

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Prayer of approach & confession — Cara Heafey, UK

Prayers of approach and confession Loving God Our souls sing out in worship And all of creation bursts forth with praise! For you look with compassion on all who suffer. You shed tears of sorrow with those in grief. You reach down into the dark pit of hopelessness. You kneel in the dust to lift […]

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John 2.1-11, Prayers of approach — Cara Heafey, UK

By Cara Heafey, UK inspired by John 2:1-11, Wedding in Cana (Epiphany 2 Year C) Prayers of approach and confession Ready-to-download and print: Cara Heafey- Wedding in Cana – Prayers of approach and confession WORD Cara Heafey- Wedding in Cana – Prayers of approach and confession PDF God, our creator and provider, we bring you […]

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Epiphany sending out and blessing — Cary Heafey, UK

Originally written for Epiphany Sunday, Year C. Let us look for Christ wherever we go Let us never stop seeking Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome   And may the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the […]

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What lies beyond death? — Cara Heafey, UK

We wonder what lies beyond death. Perhaps nothingness? May it be a great expanse of freedom. Perhaps sleep? May you rest in peace. Perhaps reunion? May those you have loved, for whom your soul aches, be waiting to greet you. Perhaps belonging? May it bring an end to all loneliness and separation. Perhaps completion? May […]

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Prayer arising from 1 Samuel 3:1-10 — Cara Heafey, UK

Prayers of Approach Second Sunday of Epiphany, Year B Trinity Sunday Second Sunday of Pentecost, Year B   God our creator: You spoke the universe into being Your word is the source of all life You spoke through the prophets You speak to us still We praise you!   Jesus, teacher, storyteller: You spoke and […]

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Contemplating our final journey — Cara Heafey, UK

As we contemplate our final journey We face our deepest fears And recognise all that we long for. The whole of our lives has been bringing us to this point, The point of departure A threshold. Do not be afraid of the darkness. Let it enfold you like a blanket. Your ancestors have gone ahead […]

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Mothering God — Cara Heafey, UK

Inspired by Julian of Norwich Ready-to-use printable copies: WORD Mothering prayer, Cara Heafey PDF Mothering prayer, Cara Heafey Mothering God, you birthed the universe into being. Home-maker, your creation is habitat and sustenance to all that lives. How costly for you our freedom must be. How painful the separation From the parent who has numbered […]

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Prayers of Intercession

Praying for others… Praying for our world… What words do we use to express the pain of our world? How do we meaningfully express our concerns, fears and anger? How do we verbalize the pain and suffering of creation — the people, the creatures, the land?  How do we respond to both natural disasters and […]

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New Year blessing — Cara Heafey, UK

Let us look for Christ wherever we go Let us never stop seeking Believing that there is a light that shines in the darkness Which the darkness shall not overcome   And may the love of the Creator The joy of the Spirit And the peace of the Christ-child Be with you this New Year, […]

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