Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this?” Luke 1: 18 We may think of prayer as an act of faith. And so it is. But prayer can also be an honest expression of our uncertainty and doubt. We want to trust God. We want to have faith. But we have so many questions. So many things are unclear and uncertain. Where do we take our doubts if not to God? Where do we voice our … [Read more...] about Doubt as Prayer
Protest as Prayer
How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. Habakkuk 1:2-3 These words of protest are not the words of a cynic. They are not the words of a scoffer. … [Read more...] about Protest as Prayer
Being Seen by God as Prayer
She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her, You are the God who sees me, for she said, I have now seen the One who sees me. Genesis 16:13 This prayer, recorded in Genesis 16, is the prayer of Hagar, the Egyptian servant of Abraham and Sarah. Years after God had promised Abraham and Sarah children, and no children had come, they took it upon themselves to “build a family through” this … [Read more...] about Being Seen by God as Prayer
God Expressing for Us What We Cannot Express as Prayer
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26 Sometimes prayer is God expressing for us what we cannot express. It is not uncommon for us to think of prayer as something we have to do on our own power. This way of thinking of prayer often includes … [Read more...] about God Expressing for Us What We Cannot Express as Prayer
God Running to Embrace Us as Prayer
So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 The young man in this story is returning home. He is desperate. He is homeless. He is starving. He has blown all his inheritance and made a mess of his life. He is practicing a prayer … [Read more...] about God Running to Embrace Us as Prayer
To Us A Child Is Born – 4
Dear friends, During the month of December I have been posting a four part meditation on the life of Christ. This is part four of four. May we allow ourselves to be changed, ever more deeply, as we reflect on the extraordinary gift of Immanuel, God-with-us. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, … [Read more...] about To Us A Child Is Born – 4
To Us A Child Is Born – 3
Dear friends, During the month of December I have been posting a four part meditation on the life of Christ. This is part three of four. May this Advent season be a time when we are changed, ever more deeply, as we reflect on the extraordinary gift of Immanuel, God-with-us. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty … [Read more...] about To Us A Child Is Born – 3
To Us A Child Is Born – 2
Dear friends, During the month of December I will be posting a four part meditation on the life of Christ. This is part two of four. May this Advent season be a time when we are changed, ever more deeply, as we reflect on the extraordinary gift of Immanuel, God-with-us. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty … [Read more...] about To Us A Child Is Born – 2
To Us A Child Is Born – 1
Dear friends, During the month of December I will be posting a four part meditation on the life of Christ. This is part one of four. May this Advent season be a time when we are changed, ever more deeply, as we reflect on the extraordinary gift of Immanuel, God-with-us. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given… And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty … [Read more...] about To Us A Child Is Born – 1
This One Thing
There is something about standing next to death that can clear the vision for a moment. Each time I quiet myself and stand near this dark unknown, a small light seems to shine. This time, as my heart stood in sorrowed vigil, I was given glimpses of the sacred honor it is to be invited to live love—here, now. I felt the weight of beauty embedded in every loving glance, every act … [Read more...] about This One Thing
