Category: Prayer

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Memories, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Worship, Yield

The Elements

Remember science class and the idea of four elements from the Greeks? Earth, water, air and fire? Water has been important to me most of my life. When I was a child, I was drawn during the springtime to the stream in the farmer’s field next to our apartment building. The ocean has held a fascination ever since I first saw it and on every subsequent visit. The Pigeon Forge River in the Smoky Mountains is a favorite place of mine.

Recently at church on the first Sunday after Epiphany when we celebrated the baptism of Jesus and renewed our own baptismal vows. I was struck by the prayer “Thanksgiving over the Water.” It goes as follows.

We thank you, Almighty God, for the gift of water. Over it the Holy Spirit moved in the beginning of creation. Through it you led the children of Israel out of their bondage in Egypt into the land of promise. In it your Son Jesus received the baptism of John and was anointed by the Holy Spirit as the Messiah, the Christ, to lead us, through his death and resurrection, from the bondage of sin into everlasting life.

We thank you, God, for the water of Baptism. In it we are buried with Christ in his death. By it we share in his resurrection. Through it we are reborn by the Holy Spirit….

Now sanctify this water, we pray you, by the power of your Holy Spirit, that those who here are cleansed from sin and born again may continue for ever in the risen life of Jesus Christ our Savior.

To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, now and forever. Amen.

{I wanted to highlight that in blue, but I reserve that color for Scripture!}

Water, the element so many in America take for granted.

I wrote a prayer once and used it for a month or more. We had found a pottery container in a shop in Tennessee that was pinched at the top. The pinch formed two ‘spouts’. I would put some water in it each morning and pray as I poured it into the sink. Here is the prayer:

"Jesus, I pour out this water
before the undivided Trinity:
Let my living be this day
an offering and thanksgiving.
This day caress me.
This day possess me.
Open my ears and eyes
to Your Love for us."

Like water, the Trinity cannot be divided. As we become more aware of the love bestowed upon us from on high, we cannot help but love others better. Our very bodies are more than 50% water!

Jesus offered the woman in John 4 Living Water. He mentions it again in John 7. There are many mentions of the river of the water of life in Revelation 21 and 22.

What do you think of when you imagine water? Could you make taking a drink of water a prayer to the Trinity? Perhaps a time to remind yourself how we need God and each other?

Water is essential to our living. Can we be grateful daily and remember what an enormous gift water it to us? Will you give thanks as you bathe, wash, cook and clean today for the blessed gift of water? I pray so!

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Joy, Listen, Look, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

Bored?

Are you tired of the day to day humdrum of life? This recent quote from Gratefulness.org reminded me how precious the humdrum can be.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, savor you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

MARY JEAN IRION

Each year as Bob and I age we realize we have lost certain qualities of strength and health that we never even considered when we were younger. I am forever telling young folks they have NO IDEA how strong they are! The above quote made me wonder what am I taking for granted today that in all likelihood may be gone tomorrow, a mere memory?

Oh normal day, treasure that you are!

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Thanks

Even Rumi Knew

Rumi was an influential figure in Sufism, and his thought and works loom large both in Persian literature and mystic poetry in general. Today, his translated works are enjoyed all over the world. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumi)

I have read portions of his work compiled in a book by Coleman Banks entitled The Essential Rumi. I find his work and wisdom quoted in so many places! He lived 1207-1273.

Recently Gratefulness.org posted

“Thankfulness brings you to the place where the Beloved lives.” Rumi

We could all benefit from more thankfulness and gratitude. It does our hears and minds good. Jesus gave thanks repeatedly in the Gospels. He took the five loaves and two fish and gave thanks. He thanked the Father for giving wisdom to the humble and lowly. And the Scriptures go on and on showing us how Jesus was thankful to the Father for the many blessings in life.

The Beloved, I read, as our Lord. God sent Jesus to redeem and save this world. Every person on earth needs the Beloved.

We are also called the Beloved of God. We are deeply loved, cherished and valued. Do you believe that about yourself? It is true. Utterly and amazingly true!

Sometimes I just quote online sources to save time!

The word beloved is also used repeatedly throughout the New Testament. A notable use of the word is at the baptism of Jesus. In this scene, all three Persons of the Trinity are revealed. God the Father speaks to the Son from heaven: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Then the “Holy Spirit descended like a dove and rested on Him” (Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32). God again calls Jesus “beloved” at the Mount of Transfiguration: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Matthew 17:5). We can learn a little about the loving relationship shared by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by God’s use of the word beloved. Jesus echoes that truth in John 10:17 when He says, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.” https://www.gotquestions.org/beloved-in-the-Bible.html

He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6 NRSVUE

Glorious grace bestowed freely upon us in Christ, the Beloved. That gives me cause to be thankful and reside where the Beloved lives!

Sufi Whirling, the prayerful dance such as Rumi participated in

How might you participate more in thankfulness? It’s not just for turkey anymore 🙂

Posted on in Art, Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Listen, Look, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Not An Engineering Lesson

I have been trying to apply myself to read through all of the Gospels, not as a study work, but just to absorb and pray the stories of Jesus afresh for 2026. Having finished Mark I am now in Matthew.

You have likely heard the Scripture story about the house built upon the sand?

24 “Everyone, then, who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” Matthew 7:24-27 NRSVUE

I think all too often I have heard it like a lesson in engineering. If you look for images about that passage you are given house upon house built upon rocks or sand. It hit me this morning that Jesus was teaching that the ones who HEAR the words and ACT on them are wise. He compares the wise to a good engineer, but the lesson is even for those who cannot build anything. Hear and act: the continuous call to obedience. Hear the words and act upon them. How do you personally accomplish that?

I have also decided to review music by some of my favorite artists. Recently Benjamin William Hastings has been my artist to listen to. He caught my attention about three years ago with his song “That’s the Thing about Praise.” This same chapter in Matthew has the verse he wrote about with Cody Carnes in “Take You At Your Word.” The YouTube video has the lyrics. The opening artwork caught my attention as an apt descriptor of the narrow gate.

13 “Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. 14 For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 NRSVUE

Hear and act. Choose the narrow gate, the hard road that leads to life. We are also promised life and that more abundantly! (John 10:10)

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Focus, Joy, Just do it, Obedience, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Thanks, Worship, Yield

A Prayer from Lectio 365

I recently heard this on the App Lectio 365.

You are wisdom, uncreated and eternal,   
the supreme first cause, above all being,    
sovereign Godhead, sovereign goodness,   
watching unseen, 
the God-inspired wisdom of Christian people.   
Raise us we pray, that we may totally respond    
to the supreme, unknown, ultimate, and 
splendid height of your words, 
mysterious and inspired…   
You fill to the full with most beautiful splendour   
those souls who close their eyes that they may see.

St Denis prayer from The Cloud of Unknowing , 
written anonymously in the fourteenth century.

If you have never used this app, I highly recommend it. No, I do not use it every single day, but I find it worthwhile practically every time I do use it.

The above prayer has kept me praising for several weeks now. I know it is from the 14th century, but it still applies to the God I worship in 2026! Scroll back to the top, then pray it instead of just reading it. When might you be finished praying this one?

The legend of Saint Denis is surrounded by fictional tales and a few facts. All I can be certain of is that if he indeed prayed like the prayer quoted above, he knew my God and how to draw me into a closer relationship with the Trinity.

The prayer is said to come from The Cloud of Unknowing, a powerful tome. “The medieval spiritual guidebook called The Cloud of Unknowing was written by an anonymous English monk. At the core is a mystical approach to Christian prayer, in which God is found not through rote knowledge, but through ‘blind love.’ It has been described as Christianity with a Zen outlook.” J.B. Hare

Saint Denis in his prayer is no less powerful. Come, Lord, and make us more like those who loved you then. Help us to totally respond to You! “You fill to the full with most beautiful splendour those souls who close their eyes that they may see.“

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Challenge, Faith, Joy, Listen, Music, Nature, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Surrender, Trust

Single Snowflake

Snow? Well, we are forecast to be in the high 60s later this week, so snow is unlikely. I am always amazed at how the air seems to change prior to and during/after a snowfall. The very air is charged with listening. Asking the web, “Does snow muffle sound?” this answer was written. “Freshly fallen snow significantly alters the acoustic environment. Its porous structure, composed of ice crystals and air pockets, effectively absorbs sound waves. This absorption reduces the reflection and transmission of auditory signals, creating a noticeable dampening effect on ambient noise.” Ha! Not just my imagination 🙂 Recently in church they played an instrumental version of “Still, still, still”. Do you know this song?

May you grow still enough to hear the stir of a single snowflake in the air, so that your inner silence may turn into hushed expectation.

BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST

I love this Steindl-rast thought towards inner silence. Yes, Christmas has passed. The call to stillness continues throughout the year. Can you quiet your heart and mind this much? If not to the stir of a single snowflake perhaps to the quiet of a new fallen snow? The world will continue without our input or opinion for a few minutes. Practice, regardless of the weather. Next time it snows at your house go outside or open the door to experience this quietening effect of the crystals. It is good for your soul!

Posted on in Book quotes, Challenge, Faith, Just do it, Obedience, Prayer, Rest, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Trust, Yield

Are You Practicing the Way?

I just realized I never posted this to let you know I was taking a week off. Oops. Well here is this blog entry very late!!

John Mark Comer has written a phenomenal book entitled Practicing the Way. I have been devouring it and trying to live into it. There is also a website that I found only recently https://www.practicingtheway.org/

Even if you have no intention of purchasing the book or borrowing it from your local library, I would encourage you to look a these materials. At the website practice materials are offered freely. Of course, there are also ways to contribute to the effort of getting the materials out.

There was a saying years ago that if you aim at nothing you are bound to hit it! That is especially true of our spiritual walk.

There are one or more areas where we might ignore the teachings of Jesus. The materials help guide us in contemporary ways to apply the teachings and grow in our own walk. I was familiar with the nine practices, but had never applied some of them to my walk consistently. In the New Year I hope to take this material and use it as my own. Hoping for a more fulfilling, God-honoring, lifestyle by bringing the practices into focus in my own life.

As we wind down 2025, I hope you will take some time to rest. We are truly a driven society and rarely allow our Shepherd to lead us into rest and solitude.

I will be taking the first week of January off from writing. I will also be studying materials for Stephen Ministry as I venture into again becoming a Stephen Minister. May your New Year celebration be blessed and warmly celebrated as we begin again to follow the Lord.

Start 2016 with a practice of resting in Christ. I did take that time off. Now I am back at writing, continuing to study Stephen Ministry materials and planning to work on two separate writing projects. All prayers appreciated!

Posted on in Faith, Focus, Listen, Music, Praise, Prayer, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks

My Favorite Recording is by The Haven Quartet

Have you heard and remembered this hymn?

1. Of the Father’s love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore.

2. At his word the worlds were framèd;
He commanded, it was done:
Heav’n and earth and depths of ocean,
In their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun—
[Evermore and evermore.] Aurelius Clemens Prudentius

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Family, Focus, Joy, Just do it, Listen, Look, Obedience, Praise, Prayer, Special Event, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Thanks, Worship, Yield

A Thousand Lights

PBS reports that: “Jews across the religious observance spectrum — from Reform to Conservative to Orthodox — focus on the same theme of bringing light into the darkness and emphasizing that even a small, against-the-odds effort can have a transforming effect.” During their celebration of Hanukah they light a new candle each night on the eight branches menorah. As we mourn with the Jewish community in Australia over the murders and injuries there and beyond, I remember being awakened one night with a thought. Our life is to be like a thousand tiny lights of kindness.

How can you participate in this? Every tiny act of kindness that you do makes you a participant.

There was an elderly woman searching in the deep freezer at the grocery store among the frozen turkeys. She just wanted a small one. The one she had chosen did not have a tag on it. I was able to flag down an employee to help her get it weighed and tagged. He wanted me to follow him and I explained that he needed to carry the turkey and escort her slowly to wherever he was going as she was the one interested in the purchase.

There was someone in the same store using an electric shopping cart. She is tiny and seated. There is an item on a high shelf that she is interested in. I ask if I can reach it for her? She is grateful.

Just looking folks in the eye, greeting them with a smile and saying hello has become a practice that cheers many. Most older folks seem surprised that you see them and care. Every age is somewhat startled if you look them in the eye when you greet them.

A tiny thousand lights of kindness. Wishing a harried store clerk a good day. Telling them to take a deep breath while you find your credit card. Urging the world to slow down for one minute. Tiny light of kindness.

Yielding to a car in traffic and being genuinely glad about it.

Thanking the letter carrier for service. The last one I greeted was delivering mail in 13 degree weather. I asked how he stayed warm. He replied you just have to dress for the weather.

Giving the delivery man a home baked cookie when he brings your package to the door.

In the gospel of John we are told

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

The word light is used seven times in the first nine verses of John 1. In the passage above, a mere three verses, it is used four times. We are to pay attention to this idea. We are to shine the light God has given us. Shine and shine and then shine some more. No place does it say the light of the world got weary of shining and stopped. We too are called to this shine work.

Have you ever attended a concert where the performer asked people to turn on their cell phone flashlight? Or they were given wristbands they were to light up at a certain time? Can you imagine if all of those people left that stadium with the conviction to shine the light God gave them to others around the world? You can help with this effort every single day of your life. If you no longer leave the house you likely still have conversations with others. Smile through your words and bring light and life to each situation.

PBS goes on to report: “A menorah is lit in each household and traditionally is placed where it can be seen from the outside, such as a doorway or windowsill, to symbolize the spreading of God’s light to all nations.”

A thousand tiny lights of kindness. “Even a small, against-the-odds effort can have a transforming effect.” Yes, that means each of us. Just as we celebrate Jesus, the Light of the world, at this time of year (and always) we are to be set on fire for the Kingdom good news! Many are credited with this saying, Saint Francis most notably.

Posted on in Challenge, Faith, Humor, Joy, Listen, Look, Music, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Trust

Cincinnati Music Hall

When I went to hear the Messiah my friend who got me the tickets at a greatly reduced price had trouble getting the tickets to me. Finally she scanned the QR codes for each ticket and Bob said that was enough to get us in. I was privileged to take another friend who is visually impaired. She is legally blind and we were going at night to the area called Over The Rhine. Not a place two women should wander about at night alone, especially when the concert let out around 10 or so.

My plan was to park in the underground garage right across the street from Music Hall. Bob had provided us money for parking. I told my friend to wear good walking shoes as the street in front of music Hall has been returned to cobblestones. Last thing we needed was for either of us to turn an ankle! And the streetcar tracks run right through the middle of Elm Street where the Hall is located.

We arrived in record time. Pulling up the garage entrance I noticed the sign saying it was full. I was aghast! The attendant told me where the nearest garage was, (several blocks away). I thought, no that is not acceptable. Called Bob and he made a suggestion too. I asked him to be praying. We went around Washington Park and towards the front of the Music Hall. The lot Bob had suggested was also full. I was praying, “Lord …” Then I saw the sandwich board sign, “Valet Parking $20.” I told my friend that was what we would do.

When I pulled forward the man said he would like to park my car directly across the street on the road. He said when the performance let out all I had to do was tell the valet attendant that I was parked right there, get my keys and leave. There would be no waiting in line for them to fetch my car. I agreed it was a good plan.

We exited the car and made our way to the entrance. There are many stairs leading up to Cincinnati Music Hall.

So we slowly climbed the stairs. I would mention how many steps in each flight, when we reached a landing, etc. then the number of steps in the next flight. We made our way to the door with me hoping the QR codes were enough. They wanted to inspect my friend’s purse for security reasons. They skipped mine though. The ticket person scanned my phone and voila we were in!

We were in time to listen to the pre-concert lecture by three of the performers. Then we got a drink and waited in the foyer for the concert to begin. I asked my friend (who loves Hallmark Christmas movies) if she had ever heard of a God Wink? Recently on the Great American Movie channel I had watched a movie about God wink. The woman in the movie said she did not believe in coincidence. She called such happenings a God wink. I said the parking situation was a God wink. We both laughed and agreed! If I had been thinking ahead I might have realized that with 140+ performers and the orchestra members the parking lot would likely be full. I was glad I had not thought of that because it would have caused me to worry.

We were delighted throughout the performance. When the concert was over we were caught up in the movement of the crowd. I made certain we went slowly down those outdoor stairs. I was counting how many steps and mentioned the landings, etc. There was a line at the Valet parking booth. I noticed the attendants were all out getting cars. The key cabinet was open and people were matching their keys to their numbered tags. My number was #2. I reached in and got my keys. We waited at the curb, in the wind, for the Policewoman to stop traffic for the pedestrians. That’s when I noticed I had not closed my coat! We were able to stay within the crosswalk, which is paved smoothly, keeping us away from the cobblestones. Then we had to walk counter to the flood of pedestrians to get to the car. I hit the button on the key fob to open the doors. Got my friend seated and drew a sigh of relief.

I went around to my door, started the car, turned the seat warmers to high and looked around. The policewoman was motioning to me. I opened my window and she said, “I want you to cut your wheels and pull out while I have this traffic stopped.” I replied, “Okay!” She keep motioning and I was waiting for the pedestrians to get out of the way so I did not hit anyone. Before we knew it we were driving away for Music Hall and laughing. Totally caught up in all the God winks! What a wonderful evening!

My friend decided she wanted to return to Music Hall with her husband for a Pops concert the next week. She was going to be certain to tell him they should get there early and choose valet parking.

Watch for God winks in your life this season and give thanks!!