Isaiah

September 17, 2022

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All expansive God,
one who sees all
and whose hands and heart
are always open–
help me surrender
all my defense mechanisms
to you.
Help me to recognize
all the ways I am closed off
to you,
to the world.
Begin to open my heart,
and turn my whole being toward you,
for that is what it means to live in faith–
trusting every part of me to you,
allowing myself to receive
the grace you so long to give.

Psalm 139: 1-6 God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too–your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful–I can’t take it all in!

Proverbs 3: 5-6 Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything yo do, everywhere you go; he’s the one will keep you on track.

Isaiah 30: 18 But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right—everything. Those who wait around for him are the lucky ones.


September 10, 2022

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Master potter,
brilliant creator,
I have hidden myself
within the lump of clay.
Chip away at my false beliefs
and defense mechanisms.
Sculpt me into the form
you desire,
the beautiful, precious
essence of me
you dreamed up
and placed in the world–
for I yearn to emerge.

Isaiah 64:8 Still, God, you are our Father. We’re the clay and you’re our potter: All of us are what you made us.

June 26, 2022

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Wildly wonderful world maker,
teach us to love creation
as you do
because, maybe then
we would learn
to stop destroying
and start stewarding–
to live in harmony,
joining in
this great interconnected dance–
for all your creation
is meant to bring you glory.

Psalm 104: 24 What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations.

Isaiah 55: 12-13 “So you’ll go out in joy, you’ll be led into a whole and complete life. the mountains and hills will lead the parade, bursting with song. All the trees of the forest will join the procession, exuberant with applause. No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines–monuments to me, to God, living and lasting evidence of God.”

Colossians 1: 15-18 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the church, he organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body.

May 29, 2022

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God, oh God, oh God–
give us the courage
to speak up and out
to name the pain
the injustice
the suffering–
to look at it
to feel it
to take action
however small it may be
because the sum
of countless small acts
can make big change.

Proverbs 31:8-9 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

Amos 5:24 Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want.

February 5, 2022

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God of justice
God of the oppressed
God of those who have been shut out,
we pray for your justice
we pray for repair,
we pray for
respect
dignity
power
love,
and it begins with naming the truth–
because your truth, justice, and grace
will prevail.

,
,

Psalm 89:14 The Right and Justice are the roots of your rule; Love and Truth are its fruits.

Psalm 25:4-6 & 8-10 Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways. Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my savior, aren’t you? Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks!…God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, sends them in the right direction. He gives the rejects his hand, and leads them step-by-step. From now on every road you travel will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs, read the chartered directions.

Isaiah 1:17 Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so that I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.