Context: As I woke slowly from a long, complex dream, I began to pray. After asking God’s Holy Spirit to help me, I didn’t try to use any words:
The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God (Romans 8:26-7; NRSV).
Waves of love began to wash over me, then waves of light. I revelled in this for a while, until words began to arrive. Eventually I had to begin writing, so as not to forget them. The last couplet of this poem was the first to arrive:
Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; TIV).
Meet each wave of peace
With prayer.
Meet each wave of light
With joy.
Meet each wave of pain
With thanks.
Meet each wave of love
With love.
God is love (1 John 4:8; NLT).
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:30; NLT).
I love you, Lord (Psalm 18:1; NIV).