in my son's honor, as he gives thanks over big and little

All you big things, bless the Lord
Mount Kilimanjaro and Lake Victoria
The Rift Valley and the Serengeti Plain
Fat baobabs and shady mango trees
Bless the Lord
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

All you tiny things, bless the Lord
Busy black ants and hopping fleas
Wriggling tadpoles and mosquito larvae
Flying locusts and water drops
Pollen dust and tsetse flies
Millet seeds and dried dagaa
Bless the Lord
Praise and extol Him for ever and ever.

"African Canticle"
from Earth Prayers from Around the World

to hear God's praise above the noise

I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. Isaiah 6:1-4 (NIV)

El Elyon, Most High God, in these days of shift and change, anxiety and uncertainty, I lift up my friend Fred and his family to you. Like your servant Isaiah he is faithful and speaks your word to the people to whom you call him. As he comes into your Presence may he see you high and exalted, shimmering clear and mighty. Let him hear the praise of your heavenly hosts above the noise and confusion of our world, so his soul rises up within him at the declaration of your holiness.