Consumed: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

                Consumed

                Fires swept her streets

                hot dragon's breath

                consuming any obstacle

                rushing over buildings

                searing trees

                unstoppable

                survivors left too weak to stand

                shackled into yokes

                chattel

                cries frozen in shock

                song silenced in

                captivity.

Psalm 37: 4: "Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart."

                

                

                

Reflection: Weakened: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

                1. Have you experienced a time when you felt utterly consumed and helpless physically, emotionally, or spiritually?

                2. Did you ever feel that the Lord Himself has crushed you? Why?

                3. How did that experience change your faith, or your attitude towards the Lord?

Share: What is your response now when you are completely unable to stand?

Weakened: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Lamentations 1:13-17: ..."For these things I weep; My eyes run down with water; Because far from me is a comforter,  One who restores my soul; My children are desolate Because the enemy has prevailed.' ...".

Weakened

There are so many areas where we see or experience the attacks of the enemy: through our own sins, or from others, or caught up in the battleground around us.

And through our losses and tears we do think that the enemy has prevailed.

But not really.

Yes the grief and the loss are very real, but our Lord is always present to be with us throughout the danger and throughout the chaos. He protects us and guides us to turn away from anything false so that we can see and return to His truth.

To protection. To healing. To restoration. To hope.

He protects each of us not only from attack without but also from our own sins hiding within.

Please teach us Lord, to truly know You and walk Your paths as You lead--especially when our tears flow in grief.

Please restore our souls.

Your thoughts,

Forlorn: Prayers and Poetry

                  Forlorn

               With no thought

                for tomorrow she followed

                whims chasing treasure

                fickle as a child

                watching butterflies.

                Forlorn stands before sanctuary

                weeping at destruction

                fouled by graffiti

                willful desecration

                filled with debris.

                Wanders searching

                food for strength to

                withstand another day

                fervently praying sorrow be

                wiped away, sin

                forgiven, restore broken

                faith.

Psalm 37:3: "Trust in the Lord, and do, good; Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness."

                

                

Reflection: Wandered: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

 Reflection Questions

                1. What sin in your past (or present) would make you feel naked if exposed, even though you know the Lord has forgiven you?

                2. Do you still try to make amends to earn forgiveness?

                3. In what ways do you attempt to restore yourself before seeking God's grace?

Share: Why is it difficult? Or why is it not?

Wandered: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Lamentations 1:8-12: "...She did not consider her future; Therefore she has fallen astonishingly; She has no comforter. 'See, O Lord, my affliction, For the enemy has magnified himself!' The adversary has stretched out his hand Over all her precious things, For she has seen the nations enter her sanctuary, The ones whomThou didst command That they should not enter into Thy congregation. ...".

Wandered

Forgive all of us Lord for seeking our days and our futures through our own ideas of ownership instead of seeking Your will.

Thank You for still waiting for us to see Your words, Your truth, and Your open doors inviting each of us to return.

We pray for all our precious ones to follow Your light and ask You to break any chains that still keep anyone from a relationship with You. For You to be each one's heart center.

Please guide all our prayers as You remind us and lead us to dissolve all that is error. We pray Lord, that as Lent has reminded us, to recognize Your truth. And that all Your children from all ages, all countries, and all heritages be restored to You.

Your thoughts,

Empty: Lamentations: Prayers and Poetry

                 Empty

                She wanders through

                familiar streets

                empty.

                Children's laughter

                once vibrant

                echoes hollow

                in the silence.

                Her hands trace

                shells of

                past pleasure

                as she walks

                by

                homes, shops

                now shapeless haunts.

                Turns quickly

                at sudden noise

                only wind blown debris

                clanging.

                Resumes penance

                walk

                hungry for days of old

                remembering precious

                things,

                lost

                captured by

                her transgressions.

Psalm 37:2: "for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb."