Gracious God,

The harvest has come,

the early rain and the late rain have been sufficient,

And there has been no early frost!

The meadows have clothed themselves with flocks;

the valleys have decked themselves with grain;

we join in as they shout and sing together

for joy with thanksgiving.

  We pray for the soybean farmers

  and others who may be struggling one way or another.

  And we confess that

  we have not always stayed to fight the good fight,

  we have loved to wander;

  we have not restrained our feet.

But even the sparrow finds a home

and the swallow a nest for herself

where she may lay her young, in your presence.

  We long for your day to come, the time of your peace,

  when young and old, men and women will be washed with your Spirit,

  and will see visions and dream dreams.

Do not be like a stranger in the land,

like a traveler turning aside for the night.

You are in the midst of us – do not forsake us.

Come Lord, and save us.