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Friends
Today I send you a warm mid-winter gift, a energizing song by the Colonial Chorale and the University of Northwestern Choir. Be ready to dance. This was one of our numbers for Martin Luther King Sunday.
Pocket Prayers: Part Seven
Tuck one of these little prayers or even one word from these Biblical quotes into your purse or pocket and see how it wiggles its way into your life this week. Keep watching for how God makes it real in your life.
What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man/woman conceived, that is what God has prepared for those who love him!
Truth sprouts green from the ground, right living pours down from the skies. Ah Yes! God gives goodness and beauty.
God, take the hand of your own favorite child, the child you raised to adulthood. We will never turn our back on you; breathe life into our lungs so we can shout your name.
What God has done for me will never be forgotten…God took one good look at me, and look what happened–I’m the most fortunate woman/man on earth!
And now God, do it again, so those who went off with heavy hearts will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
If you are truly serious about coming back to God, clean house.
All our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong.
Reflecting on these verses:
Which verse resonates with you most? Why now?
What word speaks most to you?
Where is God working most in your life? What is it asking of you?
Pocket Prayers: Part Six
Take a word or verse or idea and tuck it in your pocket or purse to guide you through this week. Ask God to show you how this word or phrase speaks into your life. Watch for mention of your word or idea in other contexts. Trust that God is present to you at all times, no matter what is happening.
Look at him. Give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him.
God’s angels set up a circle of protection around us when we pray.
If you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.
He poured great drafts of water down parched throats; the starved and hungry get plenty to eat.
Let it be with me, according to your will.
We’re waiting and watching, holding our breath, awaiting your word of mercy…Mercy, God, Mercy!
Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her and is found by those who seek her.
Pocket Prayers: Part Five
Take a word or verse or idea and tuck it in your pocket or purse to guide you through the week. Ask God to show you how this word or phrase speaks into your life. Watch for mention of your word or idea in other contexts. Trust that God is present to you at all times, no matter what is happening.
Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music.
Take it easy on the journey; try to get along with one another.
Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now!
All the things I once thought were important are gone from my life.
Then he led his people out like sheep, took his flock safely through the wilderness. He took good care of them; they had nothing to fear.
So this is my prayer; that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well.
This is God’s work; We rub our eyes, we can hardly believe it.
Pocket Prayers: little prayer words or phrases that you can tuck in your pocket, tape to a mirror or drop on your car dashboard. Let them speak to you this week like a postcard from God. See what happens as the message they bring keeps showing up in creative ways in your life.
Pocket prayer possibilities for this week:
So Moses cried out in prayer to God.
Have you ever come upon anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out.
I know the plans I have for you. Plans for a future and a hope.
Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for God.
Fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.
Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how.
So this is my prayer; that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well.
Pocket Prayers
Pocket prayers are little words or phrases that we breathe in and absorb. Like little bite sized prayers for ourselves and others. Then when we feel their truth living within us, we may want to thank God or ask for the grace to pay forward what we gained.
So take whatever word or phrase or idea that calls to you, write it on a business card or the back of an envelope, something you can take with you. Or tape it somewhere you will see it this week. Listen for God’s message to you in these words.
Take your extraordinary life and place it before God as an offering!
What you say to another is eternal.
They gave witness that God was their rock, the High God was their Redeemer.
Take me by the hand. Lead me down the path of truth.
From now on every road you will travel will take you to God.
God is all mercy and grace–not quick to anger, is rich in love.
Let them praise his name in dance; strike up the band and make great music.
And a bonus quote: from Eleanor Roosevelt, “Courage is more exhilarating than fear and, in the long run, easier.”
Reflections on these verses:
Which word or phrase or idea reaches out to you?
Why?
What happens for you when you choose just a word or two and let it soak more deeply into your life?
What words from God are you hungry for?
How does God’s love show itself most in your life?
Friends,
A few weeks ago I published several sentences or words from scripture, from the weekly lectionary, that you could choose for your pocket prayers. This is how I use them: I just write one word or a phrase that stands out to me on a small card. I put it where I will notice it, like in my calendar or in my purse or on a mirror or in a pocket. I just want to stay with this one word or phrase and see what happens in my life, see what else comes up that will illuminate this word in my life. Sometimes I keep just one verse for months, even years. I’ve been living with one verse for more than ten years now and I still see it moving in my life.
Here are my options for you for this week. Just see what happens. I even included a few options for those of us who admit to being clutter freaks!
Janet
Ponder the rock from which you were cut.
Their grip is broken. We’re free as a bird in flight.
“Thank you!” Everything in me says, “Thank you!” Angels listen as I sing my thanks.
Keep your eyes open for God. Watch for his works. Be alert for signs of his presence. Remember the world of wonders he has made.
Love from the center of who you are. Don’t fake it.
(And for those of us who clutter:-) ) Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets. Invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Let your love, God, shape my life.
Reflections on this exercise
How does it work for you to concentrate on one verse or word or phrase for a week?
What is God saying to you about the word or phrase you chose?
What is the gift in this exercise for you?
At Rivers Edge by Janet Hagberg 