Obeyed: By Faith: Prayers and Poetry

Obeyed

Who has the strength

to release a dream

held life-long.

Worked steadily towards

through grief, joy, expectations,

hope. Obedience daily.

Wondering why this change

to plans and promises

honored in faith.

Withheld nothing

to walk in worship on

hallowed ground.

Psalm 104: 19, “He made the moon for the seasons; The sun knows the place of its setting.”

Gathered: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Gathered

Gathered together

all in one place

waiting

in silence or

conversation?

Anxious or patient

whispers

listening for promise

on this day

to be everyday when

gifted by Spirit’s presence.

Reflection: Waited: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you find walking by the Spirit’s counsel a natural experience or confusion?

2.      With whom do you feel comfortable sitting and waiting for prayer and guidance?

3.     With whom would you like to gather if you could? Have you considered asking?

     Share: What helps strengthen your faith when you are in a time of waiting?

Waited: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:1

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.”

Centuries later Jesus’ followers gathered together in obedience to wait upon the fulfillment of His words, His instructions, His power.

When the time was right in God’s eyes for them to receive. And in faith they waited together—in one place. No more jostling for prestige. No more comparing one to another in rank or status or ability. At least not yet. Like Israel under Joshua, their hearts were faithful to their new beginning.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

They obeyed and they waited together. And they didn’t really even then understand how this promise and command would become a reality.

But we do. We have the witnesses of church history and perhaps personal experience as well. Yet how hard it is for us to gather together in one place and wait.  Our lives are so scattered that we struggle to be still even when we know the plans or blueprints or gifts or assignments before us.

Perhaps because we might see solo action as a responsible response or step into the commitment as individual offerings—all partially good reasons—yet when alone too often we stumble or fall short because of fatigue, or loneliness, or weight of the cost, or confusion.

Sometimes we race when we need to be still and often remain still when we need to act.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for us to walk alongside for insight and guidance. He gifts us with family and friends and worship communities for fellowship and prayer and power to walk holding each other up—together growing into His words.

Lord, help us to recognize when we need to gather and wait and listen.  Then guide us to live as your witnesses in all circumstances—to live Your words as naturally as breathing because we waited upon Your time.

Worship: Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Plagues

Israel obeyed out of fear

from plagues numbered

now at crisis and a

desperate need for

leadership, so listened

carefully, acted explicitly

to Moses’ ritual, kept

even the surprise of blood

marked door without question.

Moses obeyed out of faith.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Obeyed

Who has the strength

to release a dream

held life-long.

Worked steadily towards

through grief, joy, expectations,

hope. Obedience daily.

Wondering why this change

to plans and promises

honored in faith.

Withheld nothing

to walk in worship on

hallowed ground.