Thursday, March 25, 2010

Things which are helping me pray right now: long walks, chopping vegetables, poetry.



Why am I reaching again for the brushes?

When I paint Your portrait, God,
nothing happens.

But I can choose to feel You.

At my senses' horizon,
You appear hesitantly,
like scattered islands.

Yet standing here, peering out,
I'm all the time seen by You.


The choruses of angels use up all of heaven.
There's no more room for You
in all that glory. You're living
in Your very last house.

All creation holds its breath, listening within me,
because, to hear You, I keep silent.


-
Rilke, Book of Hours I, 18

2 comments:

Heather Johnson said...

I love your posts. Thanks for being who you are :)

Alyssa said...

I feel the same way when I am chopping veggies and fruit. There is time to just stand, think and pray. Long walks are awesome too. I tend to have a little 3 year old and a dog with me, so I don't get in my head too often. :-)

Human Needs Global Resources Covenant, 2009

As fellow travelers on this journey, we commit to this covenant before God. Lord, in Your mercy, hear these our prayers:

When confronted with scarcity, need, and inadequacy, may we be nourished by the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation. Abundance overflows from Your table, sustaining all who come in faith. Father, help us.

When monotony blurs our vision and dulls our senses, may we encounter others as Christ did, through intentional presence in daily life, submitting as clay to be formed into vessels filled with the Spirit. Christ, guide us.

When wounded by the fractured condition of Your people, may we be united by Your Lordship in faith, hope, and love; seeing, as through the facets of a diamond, the beautiful spectrum of Your light reflected onto Your holy Church joined in praise. Spirit, empower us.

When all Creation groans, afflicted by injustice and driven to despair, may the promise of redemption root us in the hope of Your Kingdom: "Behold, I am making all things new!"

Holy Trinity, send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve You with gladness and singleness of heart.

Amen.