Bless the Lord, my soul,
and bless God's holy name.
Bless the Lord, my soul,
who leads me into life.
Beloved,
You do lead us into life. You came so that we might have life and have it abundantly. You have given us a Spirit of love that casts out fear. You are our refuge in time of trouble and a fortress in whom we find shelter and steadfast love.
O Lord, You do not desire oppression. Tyranny and coercion are detestable in Your sight. When Your disciples fought among themselves about who ought to have more power and influence, you clearly stated that this power struggle has no place in Your Kingdom. Why then, do we insist on stratifying ourselves and claiming that our caste system within the family of God has Your blessing?
Monday, November 21, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
A Cry for Justice, Mercy & Steadfast Love
God,
Why do You allow the torture, abuse, rape and disposal of Your children?! Why are Your poor creatures going through the same without a voice?! What were You thinking when You put humans in charge? We have ruined Your good creation while You keep Yourself at a distance remaining safe and untouched.
Where are You?!
Why don't You intervene? Will You look upon the plight of the poor, the child, the victim, the animal and take notice of them? Or will You ignore our cries for yet another generation?
Rouse Yourself! Wake up! Turn and see and hear! Come to rescue us from one another! Come and rescue us from ourselves!
Why do You allow the torture, abuse, rape and disposal of Your children?! Why are Your poor creatures going through the same without a voice?! What were You thinking when You put humans in charge? We have ruined Your good creation while You keep Yourself at a distance remaining safe and untouched.
Where are You?!
Why don't You intervene? Will You look upon the plight of the poor, the child, the victim, the animal and take notice of them? Or will You ignore our cries for yet another generation?
Rouse Yourself! Wake up! Turn and see and hear! Come to rescue us from one another! Come and rescue us from ourselves!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Searching for You outside the Church Walls
Ah, Lord,
You know my heart! I just want to find a community that lives out Your love and proclaims freedom and peace. After the church visit that I have recently had, my heart is saddened, but still, I continue to search for you. Surely it shouldn't be this hard to find unharnessed love!
Why should I have to look any farther than the church that claims to be following You, Lord Jesus? Why must I look beyond the people who claim to know You in order to find justice, peace and steadfast love? I just don't understand. I wish I could take people at their word, and that the one who claims to be a Christian would walk in Your way: loving You with their whole being, and loving their neighbors (with a wide definition!) as much as they love themselves.
You know my heart! I just want to find a community that lives out Your love and proclaims freedom and peace. After the church visit that I have recently had, my heart is saddened, but still, I continue to search for you. Surely it shouldn't be this hard to find unharnessed love!
Why should I have to look any farther than the church that claims to be following You, Lord Jesus? Why must I look beyond the people who claim to know You in order to find justice, peace and steadfast love? I just don't understand. I wish I could take people at their word, and that the one who claims to be a Christian would walk in Your way: loving You with their whole being, and loving their neighbors (with a wide definition!) as much as they love themselves.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
For the Unnamed Infant
I haven't updated my prayer blog in a whole month. I have entries written down, but not yet electronically recorded. This morning's post is flowing spontaneously into the computer, and I ask you to join me in prayer.
One of my dear friends is serving as a missionary in an Asian province and we have received a special request to pray for a premature infant who has captured the hearts of those with whom this friend works. The infant is, as of yet, unnamed. The infant mortality rate is so high in this area that most infants are not named until it is evident that they will survive. It was not all that long ago, historically speaking, that people in our country also refrained from naming their children until they had survived for several months or even the first year or two. Living in a state of uncertainty and refraining from attachment to a child as a means of self-preservation must be devastating. One can imagine that despair is the average feeling in such a time and place.
One of my dear friends is serving as a missionary in an Asian province and we have received a special request to pray for a premature infant who has captured the hearts of those with whom this friend works. The infant is, as of yet, unnamed. The infant mortality rate is so high in this area that most infants are not named until it is evident that they will survive. It was not all that long ago, historically speaking, that people in our country also refrained from naming their children until they had survived for several months or even the first year or two. Living in a state of uncertainty and refraining from attachment to a child as a means of self-preservation must be devastating. One can imagine that despair is the average feeling in such a time and place.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Extreme Humility
This post was composed last Wednesday as I reflected on the icon of extreme humility in St Thomas' chapel, but I wanted to include a photo when I shared it and didn't have my camera with me at the time. So, now that I have the icon to show you, please ponder along with my prayer below.
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Friday, June 24, 2011
Growing in the Light
Hello, Beloved.
My heart is much more at peace this evening than it was just a couple of days ago. You have granted a good sliver of sunshine both days, and I was able to get out and walk without a sweatshirt for three days in a row, at least for a while. I look forward to having several days in a row where I won't even think about putting on a sweatshirt or sweater. Perhaps those days are not so very far away.
My heart is much more at peace this evening than it was just a couple of days ago. You have granted a good sliver of sunshine both days, and I was able to get out and walk without a sweatshirt for three days in a row, at least for a while. I look forward to having several days in a row where I won't even think about putting on a sweatshirt or sweater. Perhaps those days are not so very far away.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Walking the Way
Oh Lord,
I can't sleep tonight. I'm angry! I'm angry that I can't find a place to land in the Church. I'm angry that I'm feeling alone, and that so many people are arguing with one another over whose Church it really is. The details are in my journal this evening, but there are areas in the churches around me that are making me hurt, and because I feel hurt I write in anger. It's not directed at anyone but You, because You are the only one that can handle the depth of my emotions.
*sigh*
Lord, please, give Your Church guidance, vision and inspiration. We are so lost. People around here don't know You because we in the Church are so focused on digging our heels into the ground and fighting one another. We use manipulative techniques to try and deprive each other of power. We don't recognize any denominations except our own. We can't even seem to reconcile differences within our own congregations.
Oh Lord, have mercy!
Ah, Lord, I feel like my ministerial visioning is a bit like the weather in Seattle. I get a glimpse of hope, sunshine and clarity, and then the rainclouds of reality come and separate me from the vision for a while. The vision always comes back, and I know it's there in the distance, but there are days that are darker than others, and there are times when the clouds are simply very, very heavy.
Today is one of those days, Beloved.
I'm glad that You are with me today. I'm glad that You walk me through the dark valley when I'm there, and that You allow me to wrestle with You when I'm angry with Your peoples. Forgive me for the times that I take my anger out on them instead of You. Help me to be more creative with my interactions, and to use my imagination to heal where woundedness is clearly evident.
Lord, help us to reconcile with one another. Help Your peoples to aim for unity. I know that we miss the mark; that's why You came, Lord Jesus. With Your help, Beloved, we can improve our aim. In time, our practice of faith will become healthier in Your hands. One day we will be right on target, and walking the Way which You have given to us.
I hope that day comes soon.
Show me, Sophia-Spirit, what I can do to help the world draw closer to our Beloved. I desire to work with You, not against You. Help me to see through Your eyes. Amen.
I can't sleep tonight. I'm angry! I'm angry that I can't find a place to land in the Church. I'm angry that I'm feeling alone, and that so many people are arguing with one another over whose Church it really is. The details are in my journal this evening, but there are areas in the churches around me that are making me hurt, and because I feel hurt I write in anger. It's not directed at anyone but You, because You are the only one that can handle the depth of my emotions.
*sigh*
Lord, please, give Your Church guidance, vision and inspiration. We are so lost. People around here don't know You because we in the Church are so focused on digging our heels into the ground and fighting one another. We use manipulative techniques to try and deprive each other of power. We don't recognize any denominations except our own. We can't even seem to reconcile differences within our own congregations.Oh Lord, have mercy!
Ah, Lord, I feel like my ministerial visioning is a bit like the weather in Seattle. I get a glimpse of hope, sunshine and clarity, and then the rainclouds of reality come and separate me from the vision for a while. The vision always comes back, and I know it's there in the distance, but there are days that are darker than others, and there are times when the clouds are simply very, very heavy.
Today is one of those days, Beloved.
I'm glad that You are with me today. I'm glad that You walk me through the dark valley when I'm there, and that You allow me to wrestle with You when I'm angry with Your peoples. Forgive me for the times that I take my anger out on them instead of You. Help me to be more creative with my interactions, and to use my imagination to heal where woundedness is clearly evident.
Lord, help us to reconcile with one another. Help Your peoples to aim for unity. I know that we miss the mark; that's why You came, Lord Jesus. With Your help, Beloved, we can improve our aim. In time, our practice of faith will become healthier in Your hands. One day we will be right on target, and walking the Way which You have given to us.I hope that day comes soon.
Show me, Sophia-Spirit, what I can do to help the world draw closer to our Beloved. I desire to work with You, not against You. Help me to see through Your eyes. Amen.
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