February 17 Prayer

February 17 Prayer

‘Return to me with all your Heart’
Tear them open,
Take off the clothing that covers and restraints.
Rend your hearts,
Of all of its hiding,
All it’s shame,
In weeping,in mourning,
In the tearing apart,
from the familiar and what
keeps you secure.

In the dust and ashes black, and scorched
falling like rain until the soil
becomes soft and rich enough again,
to birth something beautiful here.

A blessing is left behind,
Though the ripping open of
a crack in your heart.

There is no punishment here,
No penance here, no retribution to pay.
Only a returning home,
to the One who enters into your heart
and receive the blessing left behind.

Mercy, grace and a strong love
that does not waver but waits for you to return again.

Place your hand on your heart
Feel the warmth of God’s hands there,
entering in with all the gifts you
have desired and longed for.

In that place of receiving,
offer your heart back to him
to be His heart for the world.

‘Lord, we return to you all that you have given.
May our hearts be your dwelling place,
a home and shelter for the lost and weary,
the hungry and weak,
to find your new life springing forth
from the ashes.

In the sacred name of Jesus we pray.’
Amen
Joel 2:12-14