Saturday's prompt: "As for me, I walk in my integrity; redeem me, O LORD, and be gracious to me" (Psalm 26:11, NRSV). Isn't this a reflection of our daily aim: to live true to ourselves and to God's call, and to know God's grace in our lives?
Be kind to me today, oh Lord, as I attempt to walk in your light.
Be merciful to me, oh Lord, when I forget
I seek your grace, every day, and every day I forget
Let me be kind
Let me be merciful
Let me be gracious
As you are gracious to me.
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Monday's prompt: From The Message, the opening verses of Psalm 104 read: "O my soul, bless God! God, my God, how great you are: beautifully robed, dressed up in sunshine, and all heaven stretched out for your tent. You built your palace on the ocean deeps, made a chariot out of clouds, and took off on wind-wings."
Where are you seeing God today? Is God putting on a fashion show with the morning sunrise? Is God drawing on the sky with jet trails?
Where are you today? As I sit in my office, in the basement, away from your amazing world, I must seek you in the world that man has made. I listen to "Christian" music, seeking "inspiration." Yet it feels dull. It doesn't feel real. It feels fake. So many times I am fake. I have the "Christian" look. I say the "Christian" things. And yet, am I saying the right things so I will fit in? So others will see how "holy" I am?
Show me where you are today, even within this man made place with artificial light and artificial noise and artificial space. Let my inspiration come from you. Let my mind be filled with you for your sake. Not for accolades. Not for me. Only for you.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Friday, March 8, 2013
40 Prayers of Lent, Day 21
Today's prompt: Good news for us today from Exodus 8:7 (NRSV): "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills."
What goodness still awaits you, by the grace of God? What relief is still coming to you? Can you see what it is, like the landscape outlined by God in this verse, or is it still unknown? Praise God in your prayer-writing for what is still to come.
Gifts yet to come. Gifts I cannot even imagine wanting or needing, yet You know they are on their way. As I look to the past, the gifts I have already counted, I have faith You will continue to provide, continue to give, abundantly, more than I can dream. We live in such an amazing time. Light, heat, cool at our whim. Cross country travel in less than a day. Round the world friends in communication at our finger tips. You have inspired man to create these amazing things. You provide beauty for our eyes, ears, nose. I eagerly await what you have lined up next!
What goodness still awaits you, by the grace of God? What relief is still coming to you? Can you see what it is, like the landscape outlined by God in this verse, or is it still unknown? Praise God in your prayer-writing for what is still to come.
Gifts yet to come. Gifts I cannot even imagine wanting or needing, yet You know they are on their way. As I look to the past, the gifts I have already counted, I have faith You will continue to provide, continue to give, abundantly, more than I can dream. We live in such an amazing time. Light, heat, cool at our whim. Cross country travel in less than a day. Round the world friends in communication at our finger tips. You have inspired man to create these amazing things. You provide beauty for our eyes, ears, nose. I eagerly await what you have lined up next!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
40 Prayers of Lent; Day 19
Today's [Yesterday's] prayer-writing prompt reflects on Psalm 12:1-3 (NRSV): "Help, O LORD, for there is no longer anyone who is godly; the faithful have disappeared from humankind. They utter lies to one another; with flattering lips and a double heart they speak. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that makes great boasts."
How does your tongue show your faith...or not? When do you hedge with your words, or use words defensively, or allow words to reason away uncomfortable truths? In your prayer-writing, use words to pray over your words and to strive for greater faithfulness with your mouth. My prayer today is here: http://rachelhackenberg.com/
How does your tongue show your faith...or not? When do you hedge with your words, or use words defensively, or allow words to reason away uncomfortable truths? In your prayer-writing, use words to pray over your words and to strive for greater faithfulness with your mouth. My prayer today is here: http://rachelhackenberg.com/
Let my words be few
Let my words be true
Let my words be all for you
Let my words bring you glory.
Let my words in work, in home
in speaking to my husband, my children, my friends
Let each word be as if I were speaking only to you
Simple
Respectful
Honoring
Monday, March 4, 2013
40 Prayers of Lent, Day 16
Saturday's prompt: From 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NRSV), "The Lord said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.'"
Oh, how contrary that is to all that we strive after, how countercultural to our daily instincts! We envy the ways in which power begets power. We yearn for favor to pave our way. We pray for our own success to beget further success. Weakness and struggle seem to be stumbling blocks in the way of comfortable living . . . but no. No. Power and comfort and success are neither the goals nor the paths. Grace -- the loving kindness of God -- is sufficient for our living.
Your grace is enough for me. Except when it isn't. Except when I think it isn't.
Let me be the servant today. Let me not seek power.
Let me seek you and seek ways to serve you.
To serve your children.
Your son washed the feet of his disciples.
How can I do that today?
Where is water needed?
Whose feet can I wash?
Who needs me today?
Let me work with that heart today.
Each phone call.
Each emailed message.
Each person who crosses my path.
Give me the heart to serve them.
Let me show You to them.
Oh, how contrary that is to all that we strive after, how countercultural to our daily instincts! We envy the ways in which power begets power. We yearn for favor to pave our way. We pray for our own success to beget further success. Weakness and struggle seem to be stumbling blocks in the way of comfortable living . . . but no. No. Power and comfort and success are neither the goals nor the paths. Grace -- the loving kindness of God -- is sufficient for our living.
Your grace is enough for me. Except when it isn't. Except when I think it isn't.
Let me be the servant today. Let me not seek power.
Let me seek you and seek ways to serve you.
To serve your children.
Your son washed the feet of his disciples.
How can I do that today?
Where is water needed?
Whose feet can I wash?
Who needs me today?
Let me work with that heart today.
Each phone call.
Each emailed message.
Each person who crosses my path.
Give me the heart to serve them.
Let me show You to them.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
First Weekend in March
Beautiful day here today. We had lots of fun playing in the backyard and wore out Rusty & Jessie.
Friday, March 1, 2013
40 Prayers of Lent, Days 14 & 15
Yesterday's Prompt: Sometimes in our pursuit of Lenten penitence, we forget that God's grace isn't "on hold" until Easter. Yes, our faith is imperfect; yes, we struggle in this wilderness; and by God's grace we are empowered -- in all of our imperfection and incompleteness -- to witness to a transforming, renewing Love. The Holy Spirit has come, and we are witnesses! Write a prayer of thanksgiving for God's grace in using you where you are, as you are.
Using me where I am.
Uncertain of the future, I feel and react to stress
I forget you have me here,
at this time,
in this place for a reason
The Holy Spirit is here; is now.
I have received it.
And I am your witness
to the ends of the earth
Help me to remember this
When I am weak
When I am tired
When I am frustrated about the future
Let me be your light
Let me be the vessel you need
Today
Here
Now
______________________________________________
Day 15: "You have granted me life & steadfast love." Job 10:12
When I am down, you are there. When I am tired, worn, you are there. You have given me this gift and you are here to support me, to lift me up with your steadfast love.
What can mere people do to me? You are my helper. People cannot keep me down. I have your hand to lift me up, to bring me up.
Hebrews 13:6 So we can say with confidence "The Lord is my helper. I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?"
Using me where I am.
Uncertain of the future, I feel and react to stress
I forget you have me here,
at this time,
in this place for a reason
The Holy Spirit is here; is now.
I have received it.
And I am your witness
to the ends of the earth
Help me to remember this
When I am weak
When I am tired
When I am frustrated about the future
Let me be your light
Let me be the vessel you need
Today
Here
Now
______________________________________________
Day 15: "You have granted me life & steadfast love." Job 10:12
When I am down, you are there. When I am tired, worn, you are there. You have given me this gift and you are here to support me, to lift me up with your steadfast love.
What can mere people do to me? You are my helper. People cannot keep me down. I have your hand to lift me up, to bring me up.
Hebrews 13:6 So we can say with confidence "The Lord is my helper. I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?"
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