Prayer: The Gate

Photo by MommyFromSeattle

Monday of this week is Yom Kippur.  Yom Kippur is the most sacred Jewish holiday, referred to as the “Sabbath of Sabbaths” .

Throughout the 25-hour holiday, Jews must refrain from eating and drinking; anointing themselves with lotions or perfumes; engaging in marital relations; washing themselves; and wearing leather shoes.

These prohibitions symbolically represent the angels in Heaven, whose purity Jews try to emulate on Yom Kippur.

Most Holy God.  I pray for Jewish people everywhere at this time of their collective fast.  Make easy their fast and bless them. 

I pray that I too, may humble myself before you.  I ask to be forgiven and to be reconciled to you. I would pray for my family, for friends.  I pray for those who need to sell a house, and those who need a job.  I pray there is more than enough food to feed the hungry.  I ask that there is love and protection for children everywhere.  Thank you for hearing my prayer.  Amen

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

The flower reminds me of how I must look to the casual observer; a little wind blown, not symmetrical, slightly disorganized and undisciplined.  Never the less, I show up in full bloom with the grace, passion and form that God gave me.

I enjoy the new trends in the personal development blog sites.  Many writers encourage excellence, simplicity, passion in our work and  generosity.  People are sharing lessons learned, helpful hints, and encouragement daily.  That is part of the Kingdom of God.  It is about what we do for each other.  It is often about what we are willing to give of ourselves.

There is an order to the universe.  It may not match our perception of order and achievement, but the events are not all random, and there is a  divine order.  Each experience is a step toward our future and if we choose, can build our strength.  Each lesson learned, however painful, prepares the way for how we deal with future experiences and how we might learn to love to the fullest.

Father God, thank you for the beauty of the day and of the season.  Let us discover the nature of you God, as we lend a helping hand or kind word to others.  Allow us to cross over the barriers of race, religion, occupation, and social status to find our higher purpose and compassion  in serving each other.  Bring your divine order and simplicity to our lives.  Let grace and loving kindness shine from each of us. Let us bring out the best in each other.  Let us be a blessing today. Amen

Photo by Chrissy Oldham

Heavenly Father, Keep me in this present moment.  I draw strength from your redeeming love.  Let me overcome those old habits and ways I wish to change. Make me strong in spirit and body.  Allow me in this exact and present moment, to sow to the spirit and not to the flesh.  I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.   I choose to stand on the word of God and to believe that what I pray for and ask in faith has come to pass. Fill me with your word and a faith that leads me through the valley of the shadow and into the light.  Amen

Photo by Christine Oldham

When I walked in Garden of the Gods last night, there were signs of snow on Pikes Peak.  Here in the park 6000 feet below the Peak, the air was warm. Flowers still in bloom seemed  unaware of this impending change.  I look forward to the change in seasons.  Autumn may be my favorite season.  There is a briskness in the morning air and the scent of a wood fireplace.   I enjoy bird hunting with my Labradors, so that translates to walking in wheat or corn fields that have been harvested.

This global recession has brought many changes in peoples lives.  Have hope.  It may be a new season in your life.  Maybe summer was your favorite season and you loved your last job, or the place you lived.  Now it is autumn and we must embrace and look for the beauty of this new season.  I pray that you are blessed and whatever transition you are going through is wonderful and an enriching part of your life.

Genesis 1:4

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;”

It was good!

• Alpha and Omega – God is the beginning and end.  There is nothing before God.
• The Omni’s – Omniscience (all knowing) Omnipotence (all powerful), Omnipresent (everywhere simultaneously)
• Holy
• Uniqueness – God is like no other
• Spirit
• Immortal
• Alive
• Supreme – God is the supreme being
• Transcendent (universal)
• Immanent (within us)
• Personal
• Theistic ( not necessarily Deistic) Deistic is the absentee father or distant God.  Theistic is the relationship God. (more…)