Читать книгу The Little Book of Lent: Daily Reflections from the World’s Greatest Spiritual Writers - Arthur Howells - Страница 15

TUESDAY, WEEK ONE

For Reflection

David Adam, until his retirement, was Vicar of Holy Island, where his work involved ministering to thousands of pilgrims and visitors. He has published several books of prayers composed in the Celtic pattern, including The Edge of Glory, The Cry of the Deer and The Open Gate.

Opening Our Lives to Our God

Intercession is not a pleading with God but rather a uniting with him; it is not about manipulating the Almighty but rather co-operating with him. Prayer does not call God down, for he is already among us, but it does transform our awareness. All intercession needs to begin with an opening of our lives to God. Before any words we should spend as much time as possible resting in and rejoicing in the presence. It is then far easier to see the people we pray for as surrounded by the love and power of God. This is why the Communion Service has us hear the Scriptures and be in silence before we speak of our needs and the needs of the world. We need to discover traces of glory in our everyday lives, and this is very possible if we are willing to spend time with our God.

For the prayers of the church to be enriched, it demands a praying people. I believe that the best preparation for Sunday worship is to use the readings for the coming Sunday throughout the week as an inspiration for prayer and intercession. If you add to this the reading of a daily newspaper or the watching of the news, the one should influence and transform the other. Take the reading for the coming Sunday and if possible read it aloud; say the words and let them resonate in your hearing. Pick out the pieces that have extra meaning, that seem to speak to you, and repeat them a few times each day. Let the words sink into your mind: let them transform your thinking. Relate what you have read to the world around you, bring your experience to bear on your Bible reading. Use your mind, and fill your mind with these good things: from the mouth to the mind and then to the heart. Let what you read stir your affections; let it move your emotions. Learn that God in love moves towards you, for you are in the heart of God. Let God enter fully into your heart. Invite your God into the very centre of your being. From the mouth to the mind to the heart: now let it work, bring your will into action. Allow yourself to react to the word of God, let it move in and out of your hopes and fears, your concerns and plans. Let all be tinged with traces of glory. In our words, our thoughts, our affections and our deeds let there be traces of God’s presence, for as always, ‘The Lord is here’.

TRACES OF GLORY DAVID ADAM

Scripture Reading

GENESIS 28:10–17

‘“Surely the LORD is in this place.”’

Prayer

Loving Father,

your Son, Jesus Christ,

revealed your glory

in the ordinary things of life –

in a carpenter’s workshop in Nazareth,

at his baptism in Jordan, in a wedding in Cana,

in his work of healing,

among the disciples,

on the mount of Transfiguration and

in the garden of Gethsemane,

on the Cross of Calvary

and in a cottage at Emmaus.

Help us to see traces of glory

in the common things of life,

for you are always with us

and your love never fails us

but will transform the world, the church and us.