Dependent

God,

I am dependent.  Dependent on You, dependent on others, dependent on creation.

Even the IRS knows about “dependents.”  Those people who cannot or do not live on their own, those people who need help with a place to live, food to eat, provisions for life which they cannot secure for themselves.  There are many dependents, we are all dependents. I am a dependent.  I am dependent on You, O Lord.

I cannot live on my own. I cannot provide for all I need.  I cannot anticipate all that might come my way.

I cannot resist temptations. I cannot love as I ought. I cannot always behave rightly and not behave badly.

I cannot control everything.  I cannot control emotions. I cannot control myself.

I cannot save myself. I cannot change my ways alone. I cannot live like You.

In the midst of all “I cannot,” I am forced to recognize what has always been true of humanity since Adam and Eve, what we seem unable or unwilling to admit and embrace.

I am dependent O Lord!  I am dependent on You, dependent on others, and dependent on your graciousness in creation.

Lord Jesus, provide for all who are dependent on You. Amen.

 

 

“The Dance of Home”*

Deep inside every woman and man,

deep inside every child, every teen;

there is a longing, an empty void,

prompting a search for a place to call home.

 

People try, many things, the void to satisfy,

but God alone, has a home, that meets our hearts desire,

quenches a thirst, a fire inside, longing after love.

 

The Father is calling all people,

the Son has opened the doorway to all,

the Spirit sets a place at the table,

for all who will enter the banquet hall.

 

Our longings are filled when we dance with the Father.

Our longings are filled when we dance with the Son.

Our longings are filled when we dance with the Spirit.

Our longings are filled in the Dance of Home.

 

People try, many things, the void to satisfy,

but God alone, has a home, that meets our hearts desire,

quenches a thirst, a fire inside, longing after love.

 

There is a great celebration,

a party with which no other compares.

There will be singing, and there will be joy,

love will be shared in the Dance of Home.

 

Oh, come! Dance with the Father,

Come! Dance with the Son,

Come! And dance with the Spirit,

Come and dance in the Dance of Home.

©1997 Jonathan C. Bratt

*”The Dance of Home” is a song written a number of years ago.  I recently came across the lyrics on an old computer and thought, that should be part of “Groan ups”.

 

I used to think…

I used to think I was quite capable, able to succeed at anything I set out to accomplish;

now, I often wonder if I am capable of anything that matters.

I used to think I was a servant; now, I often wonder if I simply serve my own interests and desires.

I used to think I was free; now, I often contemplate all the binds me.

I used to think I had many answers; now, I often marvel at the number of questions.

I used to think was strong; now, I often feel weak.

I used to think I was holy and just; now, I am often confronted with my sin and failures.

I used to think I trusted in God perfectly;

now, I see how often I act in fear and betray my unbelief.

I used to think that I was mature; now, I simply wonder if I will ever grow up.

I used to think that God is loving and present and active in His world; this I still believe. I pray that I might hold to Him and join Him in His creative, sustaining, loving action in the world.

Lord, hear my prayer.  Lord, have mercy!

.

 

 

Out of control

Heavenly Father, Creator and Sustainer of all life,

I have come to understand how much of my life is obsessed with control.

I want to be secure, so I try to control processes and ends that give me security.

I want have purpose, so I try to control my time and efforts to assure that they make me feel important and meaningful.

I want success, so I try to control my image and the “truth” about me I want people to know.

I want to be loved, so I try to control relationships in ways that meet my need for people to like and to value me.

I want to control, so that I, like Adam before me, may be like God.

Forgive me, O Father, Creator and Sustainer of all life,

Cause me to trust in you and have faith in your many mercies,

that I may be free from the desire and need to control.

 

Prayer of the early morning riser – Mark 1:35

How early did you rise, O Lord, to hear the Father’s voice?

How early did you rise, to breathe the Spirit’s breath?

While it was dark, quite early in the morn you woke; you listened and you breathed.

How lonely was the place, you met in solitude,

Where strength would come, resolve be sure, to follow Father’s will?

To a lonely and deserted place; the meeting face to face,

Only here could soul be forged, the heart bow down, then rise again.

What prayers would fill your mind, your lips, when in this sacred place?

What songs and psalms, laments and pleas would occupy this time?

What answers did you listen for? What answers did you find in fellowship Divine?

Teach us to pray, Lord Jesus. Amen

 

 

Change my heart, O God

God of Grace and God of Greatness, You bless us this morning with Your presence.  We are humbled as we consider our place before You.  God of Love and God of Mercy, You bless us this morning with Your Presence.   We are thankful as we consider how You have lavished us with your everlasting love.  Thank You Father, Thank You Jesus, Thank You Holy Spirit.

Change.  Lord that is a word we do not like.  Change.  It brings out our deepest fears, plays on our insecurities, leaves us nothing to fall back on but You.  And perhaps that is why life never stays the same, that it is constantly changing; so that we might learn in simple faith to fall in your arms of love and power.

And so we pray this day O Lord, as your people.

Change us. Change our hearts.

            Change our fear into faith, our weakness into strength.

            Change our sinfulness to faithfulness, our despair into hope.

            Change our pride to humility, our loss to gain.

            Change our desires that we may desire only You.

            Change our minds where we have thought wrongly.

            Change our actions, where we have behaved wrongly toward You and toward others.

            Change our hearts, where we have labored to hold on to grudges, bitterness, and anger;

            Change our hearts to forgive as you have forgiven, to love as your have loved us.

            Change our cowardice to boldness in our witness to You.

            Change our priorities, to care about that which you care about: people, lives, love.

            Change our worship, that we may honor You more than pleasing ourselves.

Change us.  Yet not just us O Lord. Change our church, change Your church!  Change our nation, our leaders, those who influence our society. Change the world, bring peace where there is war; help where there are needy, good where there is evil, love where there is hate.

Change our hearts O God.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen