Prayer
on a theme of Acceptance
Creator God
on windswept beaches
your saints of old
held their hands up to you
in wonder and amazement
felt your power through the roar
of wind and surf and
exposed to the elements
felt a oneness
with the One
who had created all things.
This world does not often allow us
such intimacy with you, Father
we are crowded out
by circumstances of our own choosing
seeking fellowship with each other
rather than with you.
Forgive our unwillingness
to follow in the footsteps of your saints
to meet you in the solitude of your creation
Forgive our unwillingness
to get our feet wet
Your light is the only light I need
as I travel through life's mystery
Your word the only voice I hear
that still small voice that leads me
to the place where I should be
Your presence is the only company I need
as I walk this narrow road
Your fellowship the warmth I crave
to help me on my way
In the beginning, Lord I was alone
Like the earth, before your Spirit
moved over the waters.
I was formless and empty
and darkness filled the depths of my heart.
Then, it was as if you declared
'Let there be Light'
and out of the darkness
I began to see hope
like a shimmering ray of love
breaking through the parting clouds
at the conclusion of the night.
In the beginning, Lord I was alone
but when I saw you in the light
I was no longer afraid.
You held out your hand
and though I had a choice
I had no choice
because to refuse
was to embrace again the darkness.
In the beginning, Lord I was alone
Now I feel a part of your creation
loved, wanted, needed, family.
In the light of your presence
I hold out my heart that others
might glimpse your reflection through it
and be drawn from the darkness
that I once embraced
into the light of your sunrise
the brightness of your face
Can we really
move mountains
with a mustard seed of faith?
It seems rather a difficult task.
Could we maybe start
with a molehill
and work our way up gradually?
But that’s not the way it works, is it, Lord?
So often you challenge us
with the mountain
when we feel so unprepared
unequipped for the task.
It’s then that we have to put self aside
and fear
and pride
and cling tightly to your hand.
It is only then that we really feel
the warmth of your touch
the certainty of your love
the power of your presence.
It is only then
that our faith begins to grow
and we begin to see
our real potential.
Thank your, Heavenly Father
for mountains
and mustard seeds
When I talk of neighbour
I mean the family next door
whom I might or might not get on with.
When you talk of neighbour
you extend our neighbourhood
to the whole world
to all kinds of people
the old, the young
the good and the bad
those from different social
or ethnic groups.
I see them on my TV screen and just know
that I could not get on with them
if they happened to move in next door.
But then, that is your challenge to us, isn't it?
To do as you did.
To extend the hand of love
unconditionally
no strings or prejudice attached.
I can't do that Lord
it is not in my nature.
But I am convinced
that you can do it through me.
In our walk to the cross
and beyond
who will roll the stone away
show us the empty tomb
our risen Saviour
Messiah
Only you, Lord
as you revealed yourself
to three women
early on that Resurrection morning
Only you, Lord
as you revealed yourself
to hesitant and frightened disciples
in the upper room
and showed your wounded side
Only you, Lord
as you revealed yourself
through the power of your Holy Spirit
on that Pentecost morning
and reveal your self today
through tongues of fire
and through the gentlest of breeze
through revelation
and revolution
in hearts and souls
In our walk to the cross
and beyond
who will roll the stone away
show us the empty tomb
our risen Saviour
Messiah
Only you, Lord
Only you
It's the mystery
infinite holiness
and majesty
that draws me to your throne
It's my dependency
on your father-ness
your limitless
love that holds me there
It's your humility
total selflessness
and sacrifice
that draws me to your cross
It's my dependency
on your graciousness
your limitless
grace that holds me there
It's your constancy
always there-ness
warm embrace
that draws me into your arms
It's my dependency
on your gentleness
your limitless
patience that holds me there
|
