Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How much do you think external noise interferes with our soul thinking?

2.     What noise is easy for you to ignore? Why

3.     When do conversations around you make it impossible to focus?

4.     Do you think you need more silence in your life? Why or why not?

Share: Do you seek out silence or does it make you uncomfortable?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Job 13:5, “If you would only keep silent, that would be your wisdom!”

I heard a story once that Susanna Wesley, mother of nineteen children, would pull her apron over her head when she wanted to pray.  And her children knew not to disturb her in her quiet place.

Most of us have more opportunities to find corners or methods of solitude for reflection and prayers, yet for me sometimes the quiet instigates the clamor. I talk my prayers instead of keeping silent. When another is sharing a problem I want to jump in with a solution, instead of listening with support and comfort.

One friend could not bear a silent house so would keep a tv or radio on, set at barely a murmur, because she didn’t want to be distracted from her projects, but complete silence made it impossible for her to be think clearly.

Or how often do we turn up volume to tune out other noises that interfere with our own personal noise? We seem to need to fill quiet pauses with conversation, to cover over silence with any words—regardless how empty they might be.

“Where shall the word be found, where will the word

Resound? Not here, there is not enough silence...”

― T.S. Eliot, Ash Wednesday

Lord, please quiet our tumult and our tension, and teach us to be still. Quiet enough to hear Your answers to the prayers we clamor at You. At peace enough to be willing to wait for wisdom instead of fretting into foolishness. Teach us to be wise.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 62: 1-2

“My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation.

He only is my rock and my salvation,

My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Truth?

Pilate’s question

‘What is truth’

continues through

the decades; man’s

challenge to define

individual steps,

choose a personal

path directed by

own compass.

Working by external

gratification

missing true

relationship. Your

heartbeat of love;

waits patiently,

promised way

now and eternal

only answer.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Why do we sometimes have difficulty accepting God’s word at face value?

2.     What personal barriers do we try to put up to protect ourselves in case we’re wrong?

3.     Have you missed out on opportunities because you couldn’t trust yourself with what you heard God say?

4.     Did it change you response the next time?

  Share: What signposts have helped you recognize the Lord’s truth in foggy circumstances?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Lord, we are always looking for direction. And too often always bewildered in our purpose. We ask for affirmation, confirmation, and certification. You gently remind, “It is Me.” And we reply, “but how?”

You give us Yourself and instead we look for concrete steps to follow. You offer a relationship and we look for a plan. Or a program or a specific task to measure and to accomplish.

Why? Because if our human relationships are so difficult then we expect one with You will be beyond our ability? Which is true on our part and yet not on Yours.

I don’t understand why we who look so longingly at love reject Your way. Or try to manufacture our own version. Instead we hesitate, question or mock. Such a gift must have strings attached. It’s too personal. Don’t we have to become special first?

Help me Lord to lower my false defenses and trust in Your love for each one of us individually and wholly. That we might abide in true relationships heart first. Trusting Your words completely.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 119:160

“The sum of Thy word is truth,

And every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Scepter

Bits of power merge

together like scattered

metal magnetized into

a cohesive plan

building strength

attracting like interests

forms into shape; creates

illusion of control.

Buys more people,

rulers establish systems

grow prominence, believe

own scepter strength

forget veil source

of all existence who

silently watching

holds the throne.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Have you ever had a position of authority that went to your head? What were the consequences to others? To yourself?

2.     How open are you to advice and accountability? Why? Or Why not?

3.     How can we learn to distinguish between an obstacle we need to overcome and a closed door we need to obey?

4.     Have you prayer support as you follow the dreams God has given you.  

Share: Has the Lord given you insight to recognize a false path? How?