Lord,
On the 7th day, you rested.
After creating the sun and the moon and the stars and the planets and the plants and the fish and the animals and humankind, you rested.
Not because you needed to, but rather because you wanted to instill a cycle of rest into life, because you wanted to teach us to rest, to let go of our self-centered desires to make the world go faster than it should, to try and hold the whole thing up on our own and forget that the world rests in your hands, rather than our own. You rested, because you wanted to teach us to trust you, to pause before you and recognize our dependence on you. You rested, because you knew our weary and anxious minds would need a regular pause to re-center ourselves on your grace and goodness. You rested, and you commanded us to rest as well.
In my life, Lord, I keep myself so busy that I scarcely take time to pause, let alone to seek true rest in you. Setting aside a day, or an hour, or a few minutes seems like a sacrifice too large, so I barrel forward, seeking to complete tasks that continually arise or loom ever before me. My feet, hands, and weary mind chug on, constantly busy, placing myself and my tasks in the center of my attention.
Teach me to rest, Lord, and lead me beside still waters, that I may rediscover the truth that in you, I shall not want. Show me the idolatry of my busy-ness, and slow me down enough to remind me that my life, this world, depends on you rather than me. Help me see that your providence is enough, and may my life revolve around you. Lead me to your rest, Lord.
Amen
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
A Prayer for Friday, May 29
Holy Lord,
I wonder, sometimes, why you created.
You have always existed in perfect love and completeness. In the Trinity, there was no loneliness or fault. Father, Son & Holy Spirit were perfect in relationship.
When you created the world, and placed humans in it, you opened yourself up to hurt. We rejected you, choosing instead to worship ourselves and follow our own dreams, rather than choosing to obey you, despite your commands leading us into deeper and richer lives. We hurt you, and then we hurt each other and your beloved creation.
Such a great mystery is your love for us that you have continued to love us despite our hurting you, and then you reached down in love, in Christ, and opened yourself up to even more pain in order to help us see the depths of your love. I don't understand it, Lord, how you could will yourself to receive such rejection for the sake of love.
Your love is great and wondrous and strong and eternal. You love, Lord, and it amazes me. It astounds me that you love us, that you love me.
Thank you, Lord, for such love. Teach me to love you, and to love all that you have created, with such free and wondrous and self-giving love, that I might, in some small way, point back to your amazing love with this life of mine.
Amen
I wonder, sometimes, why you created.
You have always existed in perfect love and completeness. In the Trinity, there was no loneliness or fault. Father, Son & Holy Spirit were perfect in relationship.
When you created the world, and placed humans in it, you opened yourself up to hurt. We rejected you, choosing instead to worship ourselves and follow our own dreams, rather than choosing to obey you, despite your commands leading us into deeper and richer lives. We hurt you, and then we hurt each other and your beloved creation.
Such a great mystery is your love for us that you have continued to love us despite our hurting you, and then you reached down in love, in Christ, and opened yourself up to even more pain in order to help us see the depths of your love. I don't understand it, Lord, how you could will yourself to receive such rejection for the sake of love.
Your love is great and wondrous and strong and eternal. You love, Lord, and it amazes me. It astounds me that you love us, that you love me.
Thank you, Lord, for such love. Teach me to love you, and to love all that you have created, with such free and wondrous and self-giving love, that I might, in some small way, point back to your amazing love with this life of mine.
Amen
Nehemiah 8:1-8
Nehemiah 8:1-8
English Standard Version (ESV)
Scripture should change us. Here, the people of God have been through traumatic times, bounced around and threatened by major forces. Their town was in ruins, and then God sent Nehemiah to restore their fortunes. The wall has been rebuilt, and the people want to live their lives in response to what God has done. They read the Law as a reminder of God's providence and God's will for their lives.
In the same way, we should turn to Scripture out of gratitude. We, too, undergo trauma and are threatened by forces bigger than us. Our life can end up in ruins, and it is only through the grace of God that we find the strength and community to help us rebuild, to piece everything back together and move forward, step by step, with a new understanding of how good God is to us. We owe everything to God, for he made us and we are his, and he has given us the gift of Scripture so that we might know the truth about God's love and so that we might live in grateful response to him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Scripture should change us. Here, the people of God have been through traumatic times, bounced around and threatened by major forces. Their town was in ruins, and then God sent Nehemiah to restore their fortunes. The wall has been rebuilt, and the people want to live their lives in response to what God has done. They read the Law as a reminder of God's providence and God's will for their lives.
In the same way, we should turn to Scripture out of gratitude. We, too, undergo trauma and are threatened by forces bigger than us. Our life can end up in ruins, and it is only through the grace of God that we find the strength and community to help us rebuild, to piece everything back together and move forward, step by step, with a new understanding of how good God is to us. We owe everything to God, for he made us and we are his, and he has given us the gift of Scripture so that we might know the truth about God's love and so that we might live in grateful response to him.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
A Prayer for Thursday, May 28
Holy God,
You lead your people.
Through all those years when they wandered in the wilderness, you were ever present, calling them forward, towards the Promised Land. When the people strayed or grew angry because they didn't understand your ways, you continued to call them forward, towards life and towards the peace in you they craved, even when they weren't aware of it. Your Holy Spirit is at work in the world, and even when I stop listening, the Spirit works inside of me, helping to open my eyes to your presence.
You lead me, too. You lead me through times of joy and times of chaos. When I get stressed and stop listening to any voice but the anxious one telling me that I'll never make it, you lead me beside still waters where I might be refreshed by your grace that reminds me that I can endure because of your strength. When I grow lonely and wonder if you are near, you lead me into an assurance of your presence, into a community that reinforces your grace. When I am afraid, you lead me into a sense of peace due to your power, and I remember how small I am and how great is your love. When I become prideful, you remind me that I cannot make it on my own, that I am dependent on you, that my only hope rests in you.
You lead, Lord, and I hope to follow. Help me structure my life so that I will always follow you, so that each and every day I will love and serve you more, out of gratitude and love for the patience you have shown to me.
Amen
You lead your people.
Through all those years when they wandered in the wilderness, you were ever present, calling them forward, towards the Promised Land. When the people strayed or grew angry because they didn't understand your ways, you continued to call them forward, towards life and towards the peace in you they craved, even when they weren't aware of it. Your Holy Spirit is at work in the world, and even when I stop listening, the Spirit works inside of me, helping to open my eyes to your presence.
You lead me, too. You lead me through times of joy and times of chaos. When I get stressed and stop listening to any voice but the anxious one telling me that I'll never make it, you lead me beside still waters where I might be refreshed by your grace that reminds me that I can endure because of your strength. When I grow lonely and wonder if you are near, you lead me into an assurance of your presence, into a community that reinforces your grace. When I am afraid, you lead me into a sense of peace due to your power, and I remember how small I am and how great is your love. When I become prideful, you remind me that I cannot make it on my own, that I am dependent on you, that my only hope rests in you.
You lead, Lord, and I hope to follow. Help me structure my life so that I will always follow you, so that each and every day I will love and serve you more, out of gratitude and love for the patience you have shown to me.
Amen
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