Scripture Passage

“Thus says the Lord GOD:
I will take the children of Israel from among the nations
to which they have come,
and gather them from all sides to bring them back to their land.”

Prayer

would You do this
bring me back
return me
to what was
life
full of possibilities
evil only a puff of smoke
blown away
by the breath of the spirit… amen

Scripture Passage

“O LORD of hosts, you who test the just,
who probe mind and heart.”

Prayer

what do You see
as You probe

reveal them to me
the tender in me
requiring my compassion
the precious within
seeking to be treasured
and the holiness
simply waiting for me…  amen

Scripture Passage

“Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God;
let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!”

Prayer

that’s it
in all my asking
I’ve never asked
so deeply
so high
that what I see in Christ
could be in me …

please… amen

Scripture Passage

“Jesus said, ‘If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”

Prayer

there’s that sticky word
truth
it requires, necessitates
ears attentive
a will that can commit
not necessarily to words but
Your word

and what is this word
unlike any other
You’d speak to me
a word of such singular truth
that it’s capable of setting my soul
free

perhaps I already know…
Your word
the truth
my freedom…  amen

Scripture Passage

“…the LORD said to Moses,
‘Make a saraph and mount it on a pole,
and whoever looks at it after being bitten will recover.’”

Prayer –

sometimes I’d prefer blindness
some things I would rather not see
fear and shame are such powerful forces

yet here You are
asking
inviting me
to see…to look…to gaze upon
that which I fear
what has caused me such harm

to my surprise
everything fades away
in this vision
and all that’s left
is life
and You…amen

Scripture Passage

“Jesus said, ‘I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.’”

Prayer

what is this light
that is life, 
its origin, sustenance
the inevitable fruitfulness

for that matter then
what is this darkness
not even my feet should touch
lest death cling to my soul

scatter the darkness
in all its forms in me
for I draw near
to the light
so I can catch fire …amen

Scripture Passage

“Remember not the events of the past,
the things of long ago consider not;
see, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

Prayer

cure me of remembering
failures & regrets
my field of vision
only as wide as my past
effectively blinding me
to You
the always present
making the old give way
a sacred space opening
wide as mystery
what never was – called forth
let me see a-new…  amen

Scripture Passage

“But, you, O LORD ….
searcher of mind and heart,……!”

Prayer

let me accompany You today
as You search through my heart
seeking the secret places
You know so well
I’ve yet to visit, understand

let me learn from You
to enter the deeper places
to discover the undiscovered
to know the mystery…  amen

Scripture Passage

“He …. boasts that God is his Father.”

Prayer

could I be so bold
could this be true
not just for him but for me

can I risk
such a belief
the changes in me, in living
new companions for a new creed

and You say
simply
believe…  amen

Scripture Passage

“Jesus said, ‘He (John the Baptist) was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.’”

Prayer

only “for a while”

we seem to tire
to become accustomed
turning away, forgetting
seeking something else

to be forgotten as well

teach me the finest art
of lingering, savoring
the Light that never dims
warms eternal life
everywhere…  amen

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