A Liturgy for the Smoking of Fine Tobacco

Sovereign God, we acknowledge that you alone

are the giver of every good gift

and grantor of all lawful pleasures.

With full conviction that the fittest response to any gift

is wholehearted delight in both the gift and its Giver,

we take pleasure in that which is pleasurable,

we find joy in that which is enjoyable,

we delight in that which is delightful.

We give thanks, O Lord, for this, your gift of fine tobacco,

for the rains, sun and soil that bring forth such plants

to gladden the hearts of man.

For the hands that harvested, dried and cured it;

for the farmers and craftsmen and artisans

who took the raw goods of your creation

and joined in your creative work to fill the world

with things new and beautiful and pleasurable;

for the men and women who form the global chain

of production and supply that leads to our homes;

for each of these we give you thanks

and ask your particular blessing in their lives.

May the flame of this match bring to mind

the consuming fire of your wrath poured out on sinners,

the column of fire by which you led your people out of slavery,

the refiner’s fire in which you purify us,

the tongues of fire at Pentecost

with which your Spirit rested on your children

and made your home among us.

As this smoke rises, so too may our prayers rise to you

in thankfulness for your unutterable goodness

that you would create a world

to hold such pleasures as this;

in petition for your continued care and provision;

in praise of your infinite worth,

your selfless condescension,

your saving grace.

[TAKE A MOMENT TO OFFER YOUR OWN PRAYERS AND PRAISES]

As this smoke rises, so too may our worship rise,
a sweet-smelling aroma,

pleasing to you.

[FOR SMOKING ALONE]

May my solitude bring glory to you.

Keep my thoughts pure and attentive

to things commendable and worthy of praise.

In my reading, may I be edified and enlightened.

In my meditation, may I be renewed and transformed.

In my praying, may you be honored above all.

[FOR SMOKING WITH OTHERS]

May our conversation be marked by love,

that each of us might benefit the other

and bring glory to you.

In our laughter, may we be unbridled.

In our sorrows, may we lift each other up.

In our confessions, may we find your forgiveness.

Lord, may the burning of this tobacco

keep us ever in mind of our own frailty

and the temporary vapor of our lives,

for we, too, will return to ash

before we rise again to feast

at the wedding banquet of the Lamb.

Let the knowledge of our at-once finite and infinite end

spur us to a life spent in pursuit of Christ,

in the wholehearted worship of you,

the thrice-holy and Triune God,

in the love of our neighbor,

and in the joy of your world.

May we smoke, as in all we do,

to your glory alone, O God,

for the sake of him

through whom all things were made,

your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

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