“May you encounter the risen Lord in your travels, in the freedom of the open road, in the fellowship of other bikers and in each person you meet.”
Blessing of the Bikes
This past Pentecost Sunday, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Kasson, MN, celebrated a Blessing of the Bikes. After the recessional hymn we followed the Cross outside to the front of the church, where we gathered for a prayer together before blessing the riders and their bikes. After another prayer together the riders started up their bikes and revved the engines – the sound was like church bells.
Many of the riders were not members of St. Peter’s, and many were not Episcopalians. It was a powerful Pentecost moment of unity in diversity. Finally, some of the bikers are members of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA) … you can find info about them at www.cmausa.org.
Blessing of the Bikes
Compiled by the Rev. Colin Matlbie
(please credit if you use or adapt)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray:
All Loving and Eternal Lord, grant your people grace to draw near to you. O God, you have made us in your image with hopes to create new things. The roads we have and the vehicles we use come to us through your vast creation. Today we gather to ask your blessing upon these your servants, and upon their bikes, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.” (Psalm 20: 7-8)
The presider then blesses each rider and bike.
May God bless you and keep you safe on this bike.
May you encounter the risen Lord in your travels,
in the freedom of the open road,
in the fellowship of other bikers and in each person you meet.
May the Lord be with you at home and on the road,
and with you on your journeys.
May God’s mercy, grace and love shine upon you, now and forever. Amen.
Let us pray together:
May the sun rise up in front of me,
May the rain fall behind me, and the wind follow beside me.
May the God guard my travels, for the Lord knows the road ahead of me.
Keep me safe, Lord, through swirling turns and rolling hills.
Let the eagle guide me to the mountaintops,
Let the moonlight guide me through the night,
Let the air of spring breathe life into my soul,
To begin a new journey and adventure,
Out on the open road.
(Adapted prayer from an unknown source)
The presider then offers a blessing for the whole congregation, using the following prayer:
May you all come to know the Good News of Jesus, and have a sure sense of the Holy Spirit within you — guiding you, encouraging you, drawing you closer to God and to one another in Love. The Blessing of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be upon you all, this day and forevermore. Amen.
The Rev. Colin Maltbie is the rector of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Kasson, MN. He is passionate about building the body of Christ and reaching out to the community in variety of ways.
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