I think I remember last time,
you didn’t hear my prayer,
so I hesitate to trust.
Sometimes, when we have done
all we can,
we need you to carry the rest,
without spilling a drop.
But sometimes, even you,
let it overflow.
And so I ask,
what are the odds this time
that I can bend you
to my will?
And yours, is just too large
a pattern to discern.
But I will try to pray,
trusting you will hear.
My friend reminds me of
a glass half full,
that half full is enough.
Perhaps the best prayer in the end
is trust.
And a half full glass
will not spill a drop,
though we might pray
for water to the rim.
Ana Lisa de Jong
Living Tree Poetry
January 2020
For more poems for Ana Lisa de Jong, check out the free downloads available in our store:
When you pray, what are you praying for? This struck me the other day when I was reading an article about the Spanish flu epidemic that happened 100 years ago. In the article, it said that after two years of people dying, the virus became less virulent and people just got used to the fact that every winter there would be deaths from flu. But what stuck me was the article said “then there were the 1920s”.
I was also reminded of the first time I heard John Mulinde speak. He said how in Uganda the prayer warriors prayed out the awful dictator, Idi Amin, only for the vacuum that his demise caused leading to an even greater dictator to take his place. His message was that we should be careful when we pray and not pray out something or someone but pray in something or someone so there is no vacuum.
But to pray something “in” we need to see God’s vision. As my husband reminded me, “without a vision the people perish”. What is the vision of God for the future? Not just for our churches, individual or corporate, not just for the UK, but for the whole world. What is God saying that it should look like?
As I said in “Revivals!” blog, in the past when revivals have come pubs, cinemas etc have closed down, but our economy now depends very much on the hospitality industry. Those who work in hospitality are the ones who spend the money there, and who rent rooms and flats, buy clothes, etc, etc. I do not believe we can just say “God’s got a plan.” I believe there is power in prayer and that we need to be praying in that God-given vision. But first of all we need to be asking God what that vision is.
I’m afraid at the moment I don’t know what it is, but (and here’s a book plug) I am hoping that when I receive Tom Sine’s book ‘2020s Foresight:Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change‘ there will be things in there that will help we to see what God is planning, and how to pray into that.
Yes, I do believe God can drop in the world vision as we seek it but I do also believe that we need to study, see the signs and get confirmation. Am I willing to put in the time? Are you willing to put in the time? Or is it just easier to pray out what we can see now like the virus/economic crash/dysfunctional governments/etc? If we do what will fill the vacuum?
Above photo taken by Diane Woodrow, used with permission: St Winifred’s churchyard, Gwytherin, Conwy. The old stones in this photo are from early, possibly pre-Christian times linking the old and the new.
Original post taken from Aspirational Adventures, used with permission.
by Christine Sine
For the last few days, Tom’s and my morning walk has been through a fog-shrouded landscape. As we did so, we talked about our respective experiences of fog from our childhoods. For both of us, the fog felt embracing and comforting, a welcoming presence of closeness and comfort.
You’re my place of quiet retreat and your wrap around presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your word. (Psalm 119:114 TPT)
This was part of the reading that I came back to after that first fog-shrouded walk and it seemed to describe exactly what I had experienced. The fog can be a place of quiet refuge for me. Sounds are muted. Sights are distorted and perspectives change. Familiar horizons disappear and the path ahead is unsure.
When I walk in dense fog, I don’t look for the horizon, I keep my eyes on my feet and the next step I need to take so that I don’t trip and fall. Every now and then I look up searching for signposts that help me know I am still on the right path but I need trust to believe that the horizon is still there. I also search for the sun shining palely through the mist hoping that it will help orient me so that I can see my way.
It reminds me of what our world is currently experiencing. Uncertainty, murky horizons, unsure steps ahead but if we look around, we see that the fog we seem to be living in is actually God’s wrap around presence that can provide a place of quiet retreat. Our eyes should be focused not on the horizon of the future we cannot see, but on the next step God is asking of us. All we need to look for is that next step which will stop us tripping or falling. As in a real fog, we need to trust that the horizon is still there and will once more appear when the light of Jesus the Son shines brightly through the mist.
Then when the fog clears, it often reveals a bright and glorious day. In fact, I think that there is a special brilliance to a landscape that has been blessed with the gift of morning fog. That revealing moment is probably my favourite moment of fog filled day and I wait in expectation for the glory it will reveal. So I wonder what will that moment look like when the fog we are living in lifts? What are we hoping for?
Sunlight through the fog © Christine Sine
I love this imagery and throughout the day have found my thoughts returning to its embracing and reassuring message. As the sun has emerged, I find myself rejoicing in its warmth and its loving embrace, but I am also filled with an inner warmth that the comforting embrace of the morning fog generated.
We often confuse fog with smog. In fact, when I went looking for information on the benefits of fog, all that my Google search connected me to were articles on the detrimental health impacts of smog. When life is uncertain and the horizon is obscured ,we think it is bad for us, when God is really saying, “I am your place of quiet refuge, my wrap around presence is your shield.”
What Is Your Response?
Sit prayerfully in the presence of God. Take some deep slow breaths in and out. In through your nose, out through your mouth. Sense it flowing into your lungs, and throughout your body into the places where uncertainty and fear have made your muscles tense. Relax your shoulders, your forehead, your jaw and anywhere else where tension resides for you. Recite the scripture several times:
(God) You’re my place of quiet retreat and your wrap around presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your word. (Psalm 119:114 TPT)
Now, close your eyes and listen to the music below. Imagine the embracing wrap around presence of God’s comfort surrounding you. What do you feel God is saying to you in the midst of this?
Here is the contemplative service in the style of Taize from St Andrews Episcopal Church in Seattle
A contemplative service with music in the style-of-Taize for the Eighteen Sunday after Pentecost.
The Rev. Richard C. Weyls, prayer leader, with music by Kester Limner and Andy Myers.
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-710-756 with additional notes below.
“Bring Your Peace” – words and music by Kester Limner, shared under the Creative Commons License, Attribution (CC-BY) “The Lord is My Light” and “Surrexit Christus” are songs from the Taize community – copyright and all rights reserved by GIA/Les Presses de Taizé.
“This is My Father’s World” – lyrics from the public domain by Maltbie Davenport Babcock, 1901. Alternate arrangement by Kester Limner, shared under the Creative Commons License, Attribution (CC-BY)
“Kyrie for June 21” – Text and music by Kester Limner and Andy Myers, shared under the Creative Commons License, Attribution (CC-BY). www.saintandrewsseattle.org
by Carol Dixon
Every October, an ecumenical prayer fellowship I belong to, The Companions of Brother Lawrence* celebrate St Francis-tide by meditating on the life of St Francis and thinking about what he might teach us today that is relevant for our time.
St Francis was born into a rich Italian family and was destined for great things as a soldier but, after a sudden illness while still a young man, he had what nowadays is referred to as an ‘epiphany’ moment, his whole outlook changed and he turned his back on his rich-boy roistering lifestyle and embraced poverty and humility, to become a ‘soldier for Christ’, dedicating the rest of his life to helping the poor and destitute, in whom he saw the face of Jesus. He recognised God’s presence everywhere, in everything – from the tiniest flower hidden in a rocky cleft to the glorious sun, giving life and warmth to all as the hymn whose words are attributed to him, ‘All creatures of our God & king’ reminds us. He also wrote a poem of praise, rejoicing in all God’s riches. (I later wrote a song based on the words – music available from carol.dixon@talktalk.net)
You are holy, Lord, the only God,
and your deeds are wonderful.
You are strong, You are great,
You are the Lord most high,
You are almighty, Holy Father,
You are the King of heaven and earth.
You are three and one, Lord God, all good.
You are the supreme God,
Lord God, living and true.
You are love, You are wisdom.
You are humility, You are endurance.
You are rest, You are peace,
You are joy and gladness.
You are justice and moderation.
You are all our riches,
And you suffice for us.
You are beauty, You are gentleness.
You are our protector,
You are our guardian and defender.
You are courage,
You are our haven and our hope.
You are our faith,
Our great consolation.
You are our eternal life,
Great and wonderful Lord,
God almighty, Merciful Saviour.
A few years ago, we were invited to reflect on this poem of Gerald Manley Hopkins which, like the writings of St Francis, can reawaken our wonder and awe of creation and can help us re-capture something of the enormity of God the creator-God’s extravagance, huge generosity, holiness, beauty, strength & tender love.
God’s Grandeur
The world is charged with the grandeur of God
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil;
It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil
Crushed. Why do men then now not reck his rod?
Generations have trod, have trod, have trod;
And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil;
And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell: the soil
Is bare now, nor can foot feel, being shod.
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last lights off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs—
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings. (G.M.Hopkins)
Some thoughts for reflection:
charged – electrical force – energy
Where have you experienced the power of God? Where do you see God’s huge creative energy?
shook foil – sudden flashes of light.
Ask God for inspiration. Notice what surprises you today.
why do men then now not reck* his rod? (*‘reck’ from ‘reckon’)
Reminiscent of the Shepherd Psalm – ‘your rod and staff keep me on the right path’. A day to confess our own forgetfulness of God – our part in a world oblivious of God.
all is seared with trade, bleared, smeared…
Time to ponder our exploitation of the planet, confess our failures and pray for better industrial and commercial practices.
nor can foot feel, being shod
What does it feel like to be barefoot? When do you feel most vulnerable?
nature is never spent
Recall the delight of the changing seasons. What do you notice today?
the dearest freshness
Pray for renewal: for hope to be renewed and for unexpected delight for yourself and others who may feel dry or weary.
the Holy Ghost….broods with warm breast,,,
Thank God for his loving nurturing. Pray for the life of God to be reborn in you.
Another hymn based on a prayer of St Francis is Make me a channel of your peace – this version by Daniel O’Donnell is accompanied by a children’s version of some of the incidents in Francis’s life:
A closing thought from Brother Lawrence:
Remember to think often of God, day and night, in all of your tasks, in all your religious duties, even in all your amusements. He is always at your side…. Do not forget him. Think of him often. Worship him all the time. Live and die with him. That is the Christian’s lovely task, in a word, our calling. If we do not know it, we must learn it.
See The Companions of Brother Lawrence for further information. You can also follow their daily reflections on Facebook.
by Lilly Lewin
As a visual learner, God has used Art to speak to me most of my life. In recent years, I have made looking at art and going to art museums more of a prayer practice. Art is now a regular part of my spiritual life, both praying with art and creating art as a prayer practice. One artist who is often a part of my daily prayers is Scott Erickson. He is a spiritual director as well as an amazing artist, and he’s my friend. Almost daily on Instagram, Scott (@scottthepainter) posts one of his wonderful images to pray with and he posts beautiful words to reflect on with the image. Scott’s work has helped me grow closer to Jesus. The Lord has used his images to help me know that He is taking care of me and knows my heart. Scott’s work below is called “Be Not Afraid” and it’s been on my wall as a reminder all through this season of the pandemic.
BeNotAfraid Scott Erickson
There is a fancy word for using art as a prayer practice. It’s called Viso Divina.
Visio Divina is the practice of looking at a painting, a photograph, or even a movie, and allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you through the Art. The video below is a directed Visio Divina I created for you and your friends, family to Pray with Art. I was inspired by Scott’s piece called “Flourishing Heart” to consider all the things God is doing in us and through us in our neighborhoods and cities. The Holy Spirit is already at work, we just need eyes to see and ears to hear.
What is the Holy Spirit growing in you? In your neighborhood, are you willing to open the door, open your heart and be a part of it? This is especially needed for those of us here in the States as we approach November 4th and the Election. We need to watch for what the Holy Spirit is up to and be planters of peace in our neighborhoods.
WATCH and PRAY with ART
And for further inspiration, check out Scott’s work on Instagram: @scottthepainter and his website. He has many beautiful images for you to pray with and for you to frame for your home! And check out his new book coming out for Advent, called “Honest Advent”! It launches on October 20th! SO EXCITED!
I’ve had a sneak peak, and it’s a beautiful way to pray through the season focusing us on the birth of the baby, and Emanuel, God with us, entering the messiness of our life. I highly recommend it! Scott even has bonus gifts for preorders and for churches too.
ACTION: Watch the video and pray with me with Scott’s Art. Take some time to pray in other ways with ART this weekend! Get out your crayons or markers and just doodle! Read the 23rd Psalm and create from it! Allow the Holy Spirit to inspire you! Go to a Museum or Gallery if you are able, or take a virtual tour (National Gallery in London) and ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you and speak to you through the art.
I would love to hear what Art inspires you and hear what you think about the video practice too. And if you’d like more information or help with putting art into your worship gatherings, just ask!
by Lisa DeRosa
Today, October 1st, is World Vegetarian Day. While I cannot claim to be vegetarian myself, I tend to cook more vegetarian dishes than meat-based dishes at home on a regular basis. There are a few reasons why this is the case. Since I still consider myself to be newly married (3.5 years counts, right?!), and with our budget being on the tighter side, I try to be frugal with the 20-21 meals we are eating at home each week. To be honest, it’s challenging! But I am blessed that my husband loves vegetables and is not a picky eater; he would be content to eat the same thing for breakfast, lunch, or dinner for several weeks in a row. I am NOT like that. I need variety! Excitement! A change in flavor about every three days… So you can imagine the difficulty I place on myself when meal planning. The key that I have found to livening up vegetables is the seasoning. We make a blend of spices that we use on basically everything from tacos, grilled veggies, eggs and potatoes… you name it. Having a few of your favorite spices on hand can make all the difference.
Potato tower, photo by Lisa DeRosa
Because of the amazing garden around us, it doesn’t take much to be truly inspired from the vegetables and fruits grown right outside. I am very new to gardening but can attest to the wonderful teacher and gardener that Christine is! This year at the Mustard Seed House, we are experiencing a plethora of delicious garden produce! The tomatoes, squash, beans, potatoes, garlic, onions, kale, and the list goes on, have been a huge blessing to us and our household. God has provided a bountiful harvest in the midst of a truly hectic year. My level of gratitude for an heirloom tomato, fresh off the plant, has soared. It has taken almost two years, but I can recognize what plant the sprouts in the garden will grow into without a label! I even helped my housemate build the potato tower to grow the potatoes in this year and each potato tastes better than anything I could purchase from a store! Putting together meals with these fresh ingredients coaxes me to make tasty plant-based food.
These days, the research is out there about how over-consumption of meat is harmful to our bodies, the environment, and, obviously, the animal that is killed to provide the meat. So in the heart of choosing self-care and care for creation, would you consider eating one meal today that does not contain meat? Could you challenge yourself further to go all day without meat? (Please make sure you incorporate plant proteins like beans, lentils, nuts, or soy throughout your day!) If you need some ideas for recipes, check out some of my favorites that Christine provides below:
photo by Christine Sine
- Tomato, basil, eggplant and mozzarella cheese salad
- Curried Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup
- Walk Through the Garden Soup
- Cooking with Quinoa
- Other recipes on the Hospitality page
Check out this video about a 100% vegetarian market in Vancouver. My mouth is watering just watching!
Photo of produce above: © Christine Sine.
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