Proverbs

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.


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.

April 23, 2022

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All wise teacher,
thank you for the guides
you place in our lives.
We ask that you would give us
ears to hear,
eyes to see,
hearts to feel,
minds to be open,
and bodies to know
the lessons you gift us–
if we pay attention–
for you are ever teaching.

Matthew 13: 16-17 But you have God-blessed eyes—eyes that see! And God-blessed ears—ears that hear! A lot of people, prophets and humble believers among them, would have given anything to see what you are seeing, to hear what you are hearing, but never had the chance.

Proverbs 20: 12 Ears that hear and eyes that see– we get our basic equipment from God!