Yesterday I continued working on an article about forgiveness. I wanted to post it today, but was too tired to finish it. So instead I chose a short prayer I wrote a while ago, and never found a good opportunity to use:
There is …one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).
God dwells in stillness,
Timelessness,
And silence,
Over, in,
And through
All He creates.
With endless longing,
Mercy, love,
And patience,
He watches, listens,
Pities, shares –
And waits.
The Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).
This prayer began to arrive last Tuesday, during a physiotherapy session. I had to remember it whilst having treatment on my back, neck and knees until I could jot it down afterwards. Fortunately, the following day gave me time to work on it.
“I myself will be a wall of fire around it,” declares the LORD, “and I will be its glory within” (Zechariah 2:5; NIV).
All around me, and within,
Free from blame, Lord, and from sin,
You are with me, come what may:
I’ll listen for your voice today.
Deep within me, and without,
Free from dread, Lord, and from doubt,
You are with me, come what may:
I’ll hear you gladly, and obey.
So, before me, and beside,
You instruct me, Lord, and guide,
Always with me, come what may:
So I’ll give thanks, rejoice and pray.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).
References
There is …one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all (Ephesians 4:5-6; NLT).
I am with you always (Matthew 28:20; NLT).
This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him (Matthew 17:5; NLT).
God is with those who obey him (Psalm 14:5; NLT).
He guides me along right paths (Psalm 23:3; NLT).
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4; NLT).
Jozef Israëls – Mijmering (meditation) of ook Ophelia – DM-975-508 – Dordrechts Museum.jpg
Yesterday morning, as I began to pray without words after saying the Lord’s Prayer, today’s blog arrived. I didn’t try to resist, or make it wait, or push it away, though I wanted so much to continue listening, and go deeper:
The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words (Romans 8:26; RSV).
In silence, Lord, I listen
To your Spirit’s prayers
Within me.
In stillness, Lord, I sense you
In my body, heart,
And mind.
Though I’m alone, I share your sighs,
Your wordless intercessions.
In my darkness, Lord,
Please give me sight,
For I am blind.
In my darkness you are all –
I seek you, Lord,
And find.
Seek and you will find (Luke 11:9; NIV).
References
The Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words (Romans 8:26; AMP).
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).
Pray in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20; RSV).
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18; NLT).
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy (Isaiah 35:5-6; NIV).
Despite my migraine, the moment I began to pray two days ago, this little conversation came vividly to mind:
The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).
Let’s visit the garden
Where Jesus is waiting
To listen, and talk with him daily
In prayer.
Let’s live in the garden
Where Jesus is dwelling,
Communing as one with our Saviour,
God’s Heir.
But where is this garden,
The heaven we long for? It’s here, deep within you,
The temple we share.
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).
Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
References
Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20; NLT).
I long for the Lord more than sentries long for the dawn (Psalm 130:6; NLT).
All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them (John 14:23; NLT).
She lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer (Luke 2:37; NLT).
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-3; NLT).
The Rosary Hospital
While I was ill in bed earlier this week, I received an exciting packet of broken rosaries, which turned out to be full of treasures.
As an example, here is a centrepiece I might easily have discarded, because at first glance, it was so clouded and obscure that the picture of Our Lady was barely visible. It looked sticky, as if the resin might have begun to de-nature far beyond restoration. However, after a gentle wash and dry, this is the result – a sparkling centrepiece in mint condition, ready for a whole new life as part of a rosary yet to be made.
When praying with my circlet, I’m learning to wait in silence on each new bead. Once I can see what it holds, I pray with it until the prayer is complete. Then I let it go, and move on to the next, as described in today’s prayer:
The Spirit also helps us in our weakness; for we do not know what prayers to offer nor in what way to offer them (Romans 8:26; WNT).
Jesus,
When I ask your help, A prayer awaits me in each bead:
All I have to do is listen
For your Holy Spirit’s lead.
Some hold silence, inspiration, Intercession, thanks, or praise;
Some are full of light and warmth,
Of our shared love’s united gaze.
So I say the words you offer, See all I am meant to see:
What a joy it is to know
That every day you care for me.
May I speak the words you give,
And learn what I am meant to learn,
Living, walking in your Spirit
Here, on earth, till I return.
The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it (Ecclesiastes 12:7; NIV).
References
I will put my Spirit in you and you will live (Ezekiel 37:14; NIV).
I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name (Isaiah 45:3; NLT).
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18; NLT).
Listen to God’s voice (Deuteronomy 26:17; TIB).
The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving (Psalm 28:7; NLT).
He cares for those who trust in him (Nahum 1:7; NIV).
Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19; NLT).
God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us (1 John 4:13; NLT).
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25; KJV).
A few days ago, as I was waking up, I heard a voice calling my name twice (see https://wp.me/p45bCr-deF). Sleepy and confused, I thought it must be my husband, so I went downstairs to check, but it wasn’t him.
Then, to my dismay, I realised that I should have answered, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9; NIV). I prayed about this immediately, and said I was sorry, but still felt very sad that I had failed to respond at the right time.
However, yesterday the voice called my name again, just once, as I was waking, and this time I was ready to answer with the words Eli gave to Samuel in similar circumstances, so long ago.
As soon as I replied, today’s prayer came to me. It was difficult to write, because I had no idea what God might be going to say. So now I must, “Wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7; NLT).
I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name (Isaiah 45:3; NLT).
Was it you who called my name, Lord?
Was it you who hailed me?
Last time, Lord, I didn’t answer –
Dazed, confused, I failed Thee.
This time, Lord, I said the words
That Eli gave to Samuel:
“Speak, Lord, for your servant listens” – Yahweh, may I listen well.
Listen to God’s voice (Deuteronomy 26:17; TIB).
Reading: 1 Samuel 3:1-10; NIV.
The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place.
The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the house of the LORD, where the ark of God was.
Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.”
And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him.
A third time the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy.
So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
The Rosary Hospital
Yesterday I received an exciting parcel by post – a collection of broken rosaries. I very much enjoyed taking them apart, and adding all the usable components to my trays of rosary-making materials. My huge thanks to P.M., their donor. Here are a few beautiful pieces, some of which I suspect are quite old:
Hot news: When I was praying this morning, I realised that when it’s time to pause, I don’t need to count all the beads I’ve prayed with so far that day. All I need to do is to note which “decade” I’m on (actually there are nine beads between each cross, but I don’t know the word for a “decade” of nine. Does anyone know this?) Then I just count which bead I’ve reached in that “decade.” For example, if I had just reached the third bead of the second decade, I would remember 2/3. I hope this makes sense! It’s such a simple and obvious way forward, but it’s still a significant breakthrough for me!
Context: A few days ago I woke early, giving me the luxury of time to spend with Jesus, and out of that time, this little prayer gently arose:
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35; NIV).
It’s good to lie awake with you, Lord Jesus,
To pray, and reunite, and hear your voice.
It’s good to share this time with you, Lord Jesus:
Despite my trials and sorrows, to rejoice.
It’s good to say I’m sorry, ask forgiveness,
And beg you, Lord, to help us live in peace.
It’s good to spend this time alone with you, Lord,
Until the day when time, for me, will cease.
Behold, I am with you every day, even unto the end of time (Matthew 28:20; ABPE).
References
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33; NLT).
I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid (John 14:27; NLT).
The Lord is peace (Judges 6:24; NLT).
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:28-30; NLT).
Context: This prayer arrived in a rough form on Saturday, when I had a migraine. It wasn’t until yesterday, when I looked at it again, that I was able to see what it was saying, and put it into words:
After the fire came a still small voice (1 Kings 19:12; BSB).
Listen to God’s voice, So small, so still,
For life is sweet
When we accept his will.
No matter what God sends,
Of good or bad, When we say,”Yes”, like Christ, Our hearts are glad.
No matter what God asks, We have a choice –
So let’s say, “Thank you, Jesus”,
And rejoice.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; NIV).
References
Teach me to do your pleasure, because you are my God; your Spirit is sweet; you will lead me in the way of life (Psalm 143:10; ABPE).
I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times andbad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things (Isaiah 45:7; NLT).
I want your will to be done, not mine (Luke 22:42; NLT).
The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you (Isaiah 30:20; NLT).
The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb (Psalm 19:9-10; NLT).
How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey (Psalm 119:103; NLT).
Context: Yesterday I woke very early, and saw that God lives in my unconscious mind, waiting and longing to heal me.
Healing is a lifelong process. It means slowly becoming conscious of all that is hidden in the darkness of my unconscious mind, so I can change and grow.
I can encourage this process by:
Seeking God
Waiting on God
Praying constantly
Listening to God
Learning from God
Practicing God’s presence
Slowly, slowly, God reveals to me all the damage that lives on in my inner darkness, bringing it into the light of consciousness, so it can be healed. This includes the psychological consequences of the trauma, bullying, coercive control and abuse I suffered throughout my childhood, and far beyond.
I can share in this process by:
Opening myself to all God uncovers and reveals to me
Facing what I am shown
Accepting it
Cooperating with God’s healing
Learning from from what God tells me
Working to change how I feel, think, speak and behave
As God helps me to change and grow, I become more whole as a person, and therefore just a tiny bit more like Christ.
There is no deeper or more complete healing than God’s inner healing.
The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).
References
Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:23; NLT).
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NIV).
I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you (Ezekiel 36:26; NLT).
He renews my strength (Psalm 23:3; NLT).
We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ (Ephesians 4:15; NLT).
As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).
This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13; NLT).
The Lord – who is the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18; NLT).
