Today is July 7th

May the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”

Today’s reading is from Psalm 18.

16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the LORD was my support.
19 He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.

There are so many consolations in this short text: God reaches down to you, God takes hold of you and rescues you. God supports you. God brings you into a spacious place. And finally: God delights in you. As we begin our time of prayer today, can you close your eyes, and prayerfully imagine that the God of the universe is looking on you with love and delight?

Was that difficult to imagine? Imaginative prayer is simply a way of praying that takes scripture, and considers it not just intellectually, but imaginatively. In the same way a good book draws us into it’s larger story… and isn’t just a bunch of sentences strung together… scripture is meant to draw us into it, by the spirit’s presence, and breath life into us. As you listen again, imagine yourself, in your minds eye, as the object of God’s rescue, attention, and care…

Many people struggle to believe or experience the reality that God delights in them. What about you? When was the last time you felt – emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually – a sense of God looking on you with love and delight? Can you take time right now to be a bit vulnerable, and to ask God to draw near to you, and to fill you with His spirit of love and affection? Can you pray, as the Psalmist did: Lord, Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings…

Music Credit:
Father of Lights - Vineyard Worship (YouTube)