The Meeting Place
Greetings everyone... It's time for another Life of Worship devotional. In light of our renewed focus on prayer in worship, I offer the following. I hope it speaks something to your heart.
Read Luke 3:21-22
The muddy brown water swirled around his knees, first lifting the hem of his garment, then sucking it back down to cling and wrap tightly around his chilled legs. Sunlight slid past the clouds, a tease of warmth touching his shoulders only to abandon him to the icy water. He watched the Man approach, saw him pause at the river’s edge and search his face. The Man saw his questions and confusion before his lips could form a sound. The baptizer trembled as the Man stepped into the murky flow and his knees shook with the awesomeness of this moment. His unworthiness washed over him stronger than any violent river current. But he felt the firm and loving Hand of Creation grip his shoulder and then the gentle voice came; gracious words, “Permit it at this time,” and he felt strangely comforted and empowered all in the same moment.
The baptizer enveloped Him in a tight embrace and together they dipped beneath the surface of the river, emerging with water streaming down their bodies. As this Man, his Lord, bowed His head to pray, the baptizer too bowed and watched as the water dripped from their bodies, peppering the surface, sending ripples in all directions. Suddenly, the ripples became brilliant, and jerking his head up, the baptizer saw a luminous beam of light pierce the clouds as if heaven itself were descending to this very spot. A dove floated down the beam and settled on the shoulder of his praying Lord and a voice trumpeted from heaven, “Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well-pleased.”
Stumbling to the river bank, the baptizer sank to his knees, staring up in amazement at the Son, trying to understand this moment. The Man turned from the river and gazed at the baptizer with a look of joy tempered by sadness. He placed His hand again on his shoulder, climbed the bank and turned to leave. As the baptizer watched Him pass through the crowd and walk down the road, a realization came to him. That moment of prayer had been the meeting place of the Father, Son and Spirit. And he wondered if that was what was to come. Perhaps it was possible that prayer would no longer be the ritual of some and the wish list of others, but the meeting place of worship for Father, Son, Spirit and child.
Food for Thought:
1. According to 1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 8:26 and Matthew 6:9, how does each Person of the Trinity participate in your prayer life?
2. What is your primary role or purpose in your prayer life?
3. What instruction and/or encouragement do you receive from the following verses regarding prayer: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 6:9, Jeremiah 29:12-13, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Colossians 4:2, 1 Timothy 2:8
4. Choose a time this week which you can consecrate as a holy time and worship in prayer, offering praise and thanksgiving, making no requests. Make note of how you are aware of the Father, Son and Spirit all meeting you in that place, in that moment.
Copyright © 2001 Kimberly K. Hannay
All Rights Reserved
Read Luke 3:21-22
The muddy brown water swirled around his knees, first lifting the hem of his garment, then sucking it back down to cling and wrap tightly around his chilled legs. Sunlight slid past the clouds, a tease of warmth touching his shoulders only to abandon him to the icy water. He watched the Man approach, saw him pause at the river’s edge and search his face. The Man saw his questions and confusion before his lips could form a sound. The baptizer trembled as the Man stepped into the murky flow and his knees shook with the awesomeness of this moment. His unworthiness washed over him stronger than any violent river current. But he felt the firm and loving Hand of Creation grip his shoulder and then the gentle voice came; gracious words, “Permit it at this time,” and he felt strangely comforted and empowered all in the same moment.
The baptizer enveloped Him in a tight embrace and together they dipped beneath the surface of the river, emerging with water streaming down their bodies. As this Man, his Lord, bowed His head to pray, the baptizer too bowed and watched as the water dripped from their bodies, peppering the surface, sending ripples in all directions. Suddenly, the ripples became brilliant, and jerking his head up, the baptizer saw a luminous beam of light pierce the clouds as if heaven itself were descending to this very spot. A dove floated down the beam and settled on the shoulder of his praying Lord and a voice trumpeted from heaven, “Thou art My beloved Son; in Thee I am well-pleased.”
Stumbling to the river bank, the baptizer sank to his knees, staring up in amazement at the Son, trying to understand this moment. The Man turned from the river and gazed at the baptizer with a look of joy tempered by sadness. He placed His hand again on his shoulder, climbed the bank and turned to leave. As the baptizer watched Him pass through the crowd and walk down the road, a realization came to him. That moment of prayer had been the meeting place of the Father, Son and Spirit. And he wondered if that was what was to come. Perhaps it was possible that prayer would no longer be the ritual of some and the wish list of others, but the meeting place of worship for Father, Son, Spirit and child.
Food for Thought:
1. According to 1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 8:26 and Matthew 6:9, how does each Person of the Trinity participate in your prayer life?
2. What is your primary role or purpose in your prayer life?
3. What instruction and/or encouragement do you receive from the following verses regarding prayer: 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 6:9, Jeremiah 29:12-13, 1 Corinthians 14:15, Colossians 4:2, 1 Timothy 2:8
4. Choose a time this week which you can consecrate as a holy time and worship in prayer, offering praise and thanksgiving, making no requests. Make note of how you are aware of the Father, Son and Spirit all meeting you in that place, in that moment.
Copyright © 2001 Kimberly K. Hannay
All Rights Reserved
posted by Kim Hannay at 6:51 PM
1 Comments:
Kim ... very good post and some great food for thought. You write in a way that brings things alive. Keep it up.
Sassiekiwi
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