PRAYER
John Bonney of Springfield, OR, USA
I will sing of loyalty and of justice; to you, O Lord, I will sing. I will study the way that is blameless. When shall I attain it? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; -Psalm 101:1-2
We are standing on a high hillside. The grass is green and glossy, helping us recall that this same grass is a gift of creation, found only upon this Earth, growing for us as a blessing. The entire Earth is under our feet; and this special planet is our dwelling place, given for our use, our admiration, and our stewardship. It is our home. We could not be were it not for this Earth.
The air around us shimmers with the presence of eternity-a fine gossamer robe of gleaming light glistening with the promise of eternal love. It is like nothing experienced before. To our left is a gathering of deciduous trees. Their leaves also shine with the light of creation, and they rustle responsively in a soft breeze so gentle as to be almost unknown.
We are one with creation. We are filled, to be filled up, and then emptied until there is no more within. We feel at home as never before. Waves of blessing descend upon us, rise up onto us, float around us; and we are filled with a new filling. Oh, thank you, most holiness! Thank you!
We realize the blessings which are often taken for granted-food we eat every day, air we are free to breathe, love we share within and outside our homes, gifts of housing and education and friends, and healthcare and ….
Then we weep silently as we think of how many on this wonderful Earth do not have even the barest benefits. If we can do little to assuage such needs, we can at least hope for gifts of tangible blessing for them: “Oh that which is most holy, may those without find the day when they are fed and clothed and taught and cared for!”
We stand on the hillside and give praise for the holy and sacred. We imagine the vastness of this universe in which we have our sweet small planet of clay, glowing with blue and white effervescence. And then we can say, as the word has come down, thus, “Whom shall I send?” And upon hearing that voice we can say, “Here am I, dear Lord. Send me!”
We move together as one, down the hillside, into the valley of need, praising God and singing “Holy, holy, holy.” Amen. It has been said, amen!
Prayer Phrase
“In God’s hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being” (Job 12:10).
Spiritual Practice
All That Lives
Sit quietly and sense God’s presence flowing through the trees and all creation. Offer a prayer of gratitude for your connection to all that lives. Ask for grace to discern and carry out one small act of justice or healing that creates greater wholeness for the plants, animals, trees, waters, air, and land that are part of the community of creation.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
