This Advent prayer was written by one of my Lamplighters, mentors, and guides - Henri Nouwen. The words shape my morning prayers in this season. May this prayer bless you too. Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day, We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, "Come Lord Jesus!' Amen. What advent prayer lights your way right now? PS: Advent is a great time to pause, listen to God, and draw closer to the Creator and Gifter of all things. Many people chose to read a special Advent book during this season, and I will humbly … [Read more...]
Small Moves
“Small moves, Ellie” is a line spoken near the beginning and repeated towards the end of the movie, Contact. I attended a retreat quite a while back where the speaker shared clips from this movie and then we discussed the spiritual implications. I have love Contact ever since then, watching it frequently. “Small moves, Ellie,” advises the father of the main character as a child, Ellie Arroway, who is a young ham radio operator. Her father is coaching her at her radio not to turn the dial too quickly and to move a radio dial very slowly in order to hear the frequencies in-between. He tells her "Small moves, Ellie, small moves." “Small moves” is also a pivotal movement in Ellie’s transformation as an adult when she experiences an encounter with a person from another planet (looking like her father so she is not afraid). When she is full of confusion, questions, and uncertainty about what happens next, he says with tender love once again, “Small moves, Ellie." If you are … [Read more...]
The Ebb and Flow of Life
September invites me to pause, savor, and reflect on the ebb and flow of this past season. The joy of family and families gathering for celebrations. The tender moments of reconnection. The warm (perhaps too warm some days) sunshine on the back yard deck. My roses outdoing themselves in blossoms this year. But I reread my journal, spotted with tears and anger and sadness experienced in the darker moments of life. War. Suffering. Illness. Separations. I am slowly learning that life is more and/both than either/or. Ebb and Flow. Good ol’ Henri Nouwen says it best in this prayer: “Dear Lord, Today I thought of the words of Vincent van Gogh: “It is true there is an ebb and flow, but the sea remains the sea.” You are the sea. Although I experience many ups and downs in my emotions and often feel great shifts and changes in my inner life, you remain the same. Your sameness is not the sameness of a rock, but the sameness of a faithful lover. Out of your love I came to … [Read more...]
Prayer of Abandonment
The prayer of abandonment by Charles de Foucauld has haunted me all year. The words keep appearing in readings. Its message scares me yet draws me into contemplation. This prayer is calling to my soul. Can I really pray this prayer? Am I honest in saying thank you in response to God doing what he wants with my life? Is this truthfully my only wish to be abandoned to God? Will I ever fully surrender my all to the All? Part of me says yes, but my ego shivers with the consequences. I yearn to be closer to God but to be honest, my pride, personal agenda, and independence pulls me in opposite directions. I thirst to keep the eyes of my heart only on him. This prayer of abandonment requires trust and faith that I am inadequately equipped for – I am not strong enough to pray this prayer on my own. Then I realize I am overthinking, overreacting. Fear blocks me from risking my love for God. “Just take a deep breath, Jeanie. Slow down and pray. God will take care of the … [Read more...]
Collecting Prayers Using My Word of the Year
All is my word of the year and I have watching for and collecting prayers containing this word. Such a simple word - you would think I would have an endless list by now but alas, the list grows slowly. Slowly - that in itself is a good lesson. I tend to rush, skim, get it done. Looks like God is inviting me to savor and enjoy each prayer. To allow its word to seep into my soul. To feel its “all” to permeate my heart and shape me. I find the prayers deepens if I copy its words, not by the printer or computer but unhurriedly with a pen into my journal. These prayers accompany me through my morning devotions and linger with me throughout the day. Holy companions, these prayers. Here are a few of my new friends shedding light on “all.” Covenant Prayer – John WesleyI am no longer my own, but yours.Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will.Put me to doing, put me to suffering.Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you,Praised for you or criticized for … [Read more...]
Let Go or Let’s Go
“Go” is my word for 2021 and for such a short, simple word I have been amazed how it has weaved its meaning into my life this year. For some earlier examples, you can reread these blog posts here and here. This past week “Go” tickled my imagination during my practice of breath prayer. A breath prayer is a very short prayer that can be said in one breath and repeated throughout the day. It is an ancient form of prayer, found in writings as early as the second century. The prayer communicates a sense of nearness with trust and dependency on God. Perhaps the best-known breath prayer is called the Jesus Prayer. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” That morning I inhaled “Let” and exhaled “Go” as I relaxed into God’s arm and surrender the many attachments coming between us. I loosened my grip on concerns and future non-existent anxieties. “Let go.” “Let go.” Then I noticed a whispered change, “Let’s go.” “Let’s go.” A simple … [Read more...]
11 Tips to Percolate in Prayer
Percolate means to spread or pass through. What a lovely way to think of prayer. To percolate our day, our time, our life in prayer. Percolate originates from Latin with “colo” meaning to worship, honor, inhabit, nurture, cultivate, filter, and purify. To allow ourselves to seep in and through prayer. I love that image and have been intentionally soaking in God’s presence during the moments of my day. Even last week in the hot humid craziness of a packed Disney World with long lines and achy feet, I smiled at God and thanked him for all his gifts. Beholding the word “percolate” centered me even in the midst of the noise of the Magic Kingdom. Once home I began to identify what has helped me this year focus on God throughout the day and distilled 11 ideas to share with you and hopefully reinforce and cultivate prayer in my life too. 11 Tips to Percolate in Prayer "Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary … [Read more...]
11 Apps for Daily Prayer – Divine Technology
How do you start your day? Me? Coffee, walking, and prayer. All with the help of technology. My coffee is ready when I get up in the morning since I use the timer feature on the coffee maker. What a great way to wake up with the delightful smell of coffee in the air. I am a house walker, walking throughout my house at a fast pace, up and down the stairs, listening to podcasts and working out with the goal of 50 minutes and 6000 steps to start the day. I love my Fitbit for tracking and try to close all three fitness rings on my Apple Watch by the end of the day. I also practice morning prayer and use several apps on my phone to help me slow down, quiet my spirit and thoughts, and hear God in new ways. Technology can be a distractions sometimes but also a help in deepening prayer. Below are some great suggestions to try. I think all use either Apple or android and most links go directly to the app page. You will have to go to your app store to download. … [Read more...]