Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition with gratitude, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind.

Philippians 4:6-7

 

I wrote this prayer early Sunday morning for church. After the service, a parishioner came up to me and said, “Thank you for reminding me that I have a little of heaven in me.” We are more than our current circumstances, our insecurities, our fears, our flawed humanity.  Embroidered into the fabric of our being is the shimmering image of God. We are of God. And God is of us. Dear God, help us when we forget.

 

This week, I recorded the audio book for SOULFULL (which I am so excited about)! It was a surreal experience to hear myself reading aloud prayers in the book. After each Amen, I would say to the New York producer in my ear, “I so needed to hear that.” In this loud and crazy world, our souls crave gentle, holy words. In this spirit, I have recorded “God of the stars and my beating heart” for you to listen to over the week. I hope it gifts you with some of that sublime peace beyond our understanding! Have a blessed week.

Holy and Loving God,

In this moment, may I pause,

slow my breaths

and surrender the tender in me to You and Your life-giving spirit.

Thank you for the blessing of whispered prayers,

especially when I feel I have no where else to go.

Thank you for the promise that there is no place, no time, no circumstance,

no visible or invisible wound

that You cannot enter in and breathe hope.

Thank you for loving me in all my beauty, presence, and potential,

and for Your mercy when I lose the thread,

forget what truly matters.

With every new breath, you offer me another chance, infinite chances,

to live from the heaven within me.

When life cuts to the quick of my soul, help me to not give in to the darkness.

I am gifted such a short amount of time here on earth

to figure out how to love and be loved.

It’s all that truly matters.

When it happens, and I feel a little of heaven at my center, I learn a new contour of Your heart.

Daily, You are inviting me into a more sacred existence.

You say, “Look for the beauty, it’s everywhere, even inside you. Forgive and know freedom. Delight in the smallest things, and your soul will be a well-watered garden. Bless and break bread with many, and experience true joy. Make sacrifices for love, and holdfast to hope, and you will fulfill my expectation for your life.”

I need help following this Holy Way, as the world has a different map.

A spirit-inspired life is not easy.

When I feel weary by the world and my own shortcomings,

tuck me in closer.

Whisper the words, “I’m here. I believe in you. I love you.”

And I will rise.

Please know how grateful I am for my blessings

(another day to live and love is an extravagance)

Thank you for even the defeats because I am witness to how You show up for me, closing the distance between my soul and Yours,

mending my broken heart,

and making a new way for me.

Creator of the stars and my beating heart,

I love and trust you immensely!

Amen.