January 9 Prayer

January 9 Prayer

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit’
‘He must increase, so I must decrease.’

Words found in the gospel, spoken by Jesus and John.

Jesus surrendered himself to become poverty for us,

For our sake
For love
Because of love
God is pleased
And delights in his son
Delights in us
Surrendered to love
To trust
Preferring nothing else

God offers us a cup of blessing
A wonderful inheritance
A pleasant land

This is the way, the way of surrender and humility
To bow our allegiance to none other
than the lover of our souls

May our hearts believe in a God who sees,
Who hears and feels wherever you are,
Who you are becoming
Surrendered to love
held captive to change
Until the face of Christ is revealed there

Take a deep breath in
of all that your holding unto,
all that stands in the way of Christ increasing in you.

Breath out all the excuses, and guilt,
regrets and resentments.
And let the light of Christ warm your soul with every breath.

Surrender to trust
Trust in love
For he is your beloved and you belong here.

Now you can be free to receive even the pain of others and release them into the love of the one who cares for you.

Lord God, we ask you to mold us and shape us into your image.

‘May we have stamped on our souls the soft outline
of the caring face of Jesus.”
(Joan Chrittsler)

Amen
Mark 1:7-11, Matt 5, Ps.16:5-6, 2Cor.8:9