Wonders and Signs

Miraculous God, I hear people say they will only believe in You if they can have proof you exist. Signs are important to them to understand how You work, where You are at any given time and what Your plans are for the next few years or so. I guess, God that they have a point. You have a whole lot of power to work with, and wonders and signs seem to be a pretty easy, tangible way of expressing Yourself. It also would clear up a lot of questions.

But You parse these bits of glamour and glitz out sparingly, like seasonings in a finely crafted stew. Too much and the whole pot is uneatable. Not enough and the zest is gone. We trust You with this delicate balance, God, believing that faith is the bridge that will bring us to deeper knowledge and renewed vision for Your activity. Amen.

Begin With Me

Begin with me, God, as You began the world. Teach me to create as You create, with grace, truth, mercy and love.

Begin with me, God, as You began the world. Teach me the beauty of both heaven and earth, the seas and the skies, the wild and the tame.

Begin with me, God, as You began the world. Teach me the songs that stir from the rocks, the birds, the squirrels and the trees, presenting a symphony of sounds.

Begin with me, God, as You began the world. Teach me to listen for Your voice through all the people I encounter this day and every day. Amen.

Hallowed Be Your Name

Our Loving Creator, we glorify Your name today and every day. We pray that Your world will always be our world, that Your will will always be our will, both here and in heaven. Please nourish and sustain us with what we need for today. Forgive us all the ways that we hurt ourselves, each other and You, as we forgive those who hurt us. Please lead us away from that which would harm us and protect us when we choose a path of destruction. You are our world, our strength and our song. Amen.

Why Are We Weeping?

Why are we crying, God? What breaks our hearts to the point of filling our souls with over flowing sadness and pain? What is it about our lives that separates us from You, causing us to seek solace in our own tears?

What will bring us back to You for what we most need from You? A contrite heart? A sprit looking for forgiveness beyond human acceptance or understanding? A recognition that we cannot manage this journey as well when we attempt to take our steps without You beside us?

Whatever it takes to come back to You, we know that when we do our tears will be dried. We will be forgiven, understood, accepted because that is who You are for us. Amen.

Some Things We Know

We know that You created the earth, God.

We know that You shaped us in Your image.

We know that You shared Jesus of Nazareth, Your son, with us, to teach us Your ways of living and caring for each other and the whole of creation.

We know that Your spirit sustains us through everything that life brings. We know that in everything You work for good with those who love You, who are called according to Your purpose. Amen.

Grumbling for God

God, does it bother You when all we do is complain? It bothers me when I hear myself being miserable and grumpy when I can make a choice to be otherwise. You offer us this opportunity of choice, teaching us that we can approach life without complaint, without questioning Your authenticity. But, we are a little stubborn, to say the least. We like what we like when we like it, and we are spoiled in being able to achieve most of our goals for physical and personal fulfillment. But, not all of them. The next time we hit a stumbling block, God, please lift us up, help us brush ourselves off and face whatever we have tripped over with dignity. Remind us that complaining doesn't really change anything, and that You have not put difficulties in our way. Difficulties are a part of the human existence, but so are You. Amen.

Unity

How many churches does it take to make Your body whole? We Christians like our diversity of worship styles, from traditional to contemporary, filled with organ music, gospel choirs, electric guitars, drums, brass choirs and pianos. We meet in brick and mortar sanctuaries, old storefronts, outside under the trees and the stars. We like to feel comfortable with each other, but stirred to action by Your spirit. It is Your spirit that calls forth all of our gifts that, blended together, make up the fullness that is the body of Christ, Your son. Our diversity only makes more clear the broadness and depth of Creation. Amen.