Manifold: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Acts 2:32-33

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear.

Witness given.

Spirit poured out as both seen and heard.

No possibility of error or misunderstanding. Concrete evidence by multiple people across a wide spectrum of belief and unbelief, hope and critical. No movie cameras or cell phones to cut and paste, redesign, manufacture, or manipulate for market success.

Power undeniable.

Recognized.

Still present today to be both seen and heard except for the barriers we raise. Are we truly hearing the Spirit’s voice or making up our own version? Is that word from the Lord really meant for me now, or am I being presumptuous?

We manage to excuse and ignore even when we are sure we heard the word spoken. Why? Or make too much noise to hear the Spirit’s whisper.

Manifold witness continues despite our limitations.

His power pours out as promised. Delivered despite our doubts.

Lord, give us courage to listen and to trust and to receive.

Psalm of Worship: Genesis 1:28

“God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’”

Promise: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Promise

Stumbling with exhaustion

decisions loom alongside

shadows—no end in sight,

no sign of respite.

Fear nibbles into soul

challenging, mocking.

Suddenly a light

breeze kisses a cheek,

 a caress at neck’s

stiffness, a hint of

song lifts body onward

as surrounding witnesses

pray.

Reflection Surrounded: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you ever had the experience of a friend or foe consistently on your heart and mind and wonder why? How did you react?

2.     Have you ever been surprised to realize a friend had been praying for you throughout a difficult day or week and you had never told them about your situation? How did that become a witness to you of God’s personal grace?

3.     Do you find the idea of being surrounded by witnesses a comfort or a little overwhelming? Why?

Share: When have you experienced an unexplained peace in the middle of a difficult situation? How did that change your perspective?

Surrounded: Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…”.

We tend to look askance at anyone who claims to have invisible friends, but here we are given a promise of support by friends visible and invisible, personal friends and perfect strangers.

In times of exhaustion, fear, weakness, and indecision we often can feel lonely and isolated. We may have no sense of even how to take another step. The weight might be so heavy that physically and emotionally we are unable to move forward—or think—or feel.

And yet, even with no strength to even pray, we find ourselves lifted up and our hearts lightened.  And find that friends and family have been praying because they suddenly thought of us, or received a nudge from the Spirit, or a weight of concern.

We are grateful for the community God has blessed up with to pray for each other’s concerns and to celebrate each other’s joys. We become a witness to each other of the living presence of the Lord in our lives and are reminded to listen for those nudges to extend His grace to those around us—both known and unknown.

And when in doubt this promise helps to restore us when we see that those who have gone before us have completed their journey faithfully. We can depend on the promise of respite and relief no matter how long the process. We can believe that no matter the obstacles we will never be left behind or alone.

Witnesses before and present point the path towards joy and not fear, towards springs of living water instead of dry sand. Visible and invisible their encouragement can sustain us.

Thank you, Lord, for Your sustaining power of witness by Your Spirit’s ongoing words.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 121:7-8

“The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul.

The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in

From this time forth and forever.”