29th June 2014 – The Feast of St Peter and St Paul

Over the last few weeks, in fact very regularly throughout my time here at St Paul’s, and in many contexts, I have spoken about prayer. By prayer I don’t mean Christian wish lists written and spoken to God, but the conversation as of a child to a loved parent. Such prayers offer thanks, ask advice, pour out the deepest concerns of the soul for the self, for others and for the world.

Prayer, reading and pondering God’s Word nurture us, strengthen our relationship with God and form a firm foundation for our lives. Perhaps these two poems sent to me recently might help you in your own prayer life.

PRAYING 

It doesn’t have to be

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try

to make them elaborate, this isn’t

a contest but the doorway 

into thanks, and a silence in which

another voice may speak.

Mary Oliver

Doubt swells and surges.

My soul in storm is but a tattered sail,

Streaming its ribbons on the gale.

In calm, ’tis but a limp and flapping thing:

Oh, swell it with Thy breath; make it a wing.

Author George MacDonald

Blessings

Reverend Shan