Goodness of God

From Devotional Classics,
The Highest Form of Prayer by Julian of Norwich,
a Benedictine nun (1342-1413).

"I saw that it brings more honor to God and
more true delight if we faithfully pray to Him for His
goodness . . . Because His goodness is full and complete,
and in it there is nothing lacking. . . For the highest form
of prayer is to the goodness of God. . . . For we are so
preciously loved by God that we cannot even comprehend it."

God of Goodness ~
I kneel in wonder of Your Extravagant Love.
I humbly bow my head in the presence of Your
Holiness. My soul weeps that You would love
me with such tenderness, with such
compassion, with such generosity. My face
cannot look at Holiness, but Goodness reaches
for me, holds my unworthy efforts, listens to
my cries of despair, touches my broken places.
Goodness whispers to my soul with words of
mercy and love and hope. Goodness finds the
best and reassures, cleanses the wrong and
renews, heals the torn and restores. In times
of darkness, Goodness shines! In times of need,
Goodness provides! In times of joy, Goodness
celebrates! In all times, Goodness prevails!
My soul-songs repeat Praise be to God for
Everlasting Goodness! In the name of Jesus,
Lover of my soul, I speak this prayer! Amen.
~dho

Things too wonderful for me

Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You. You ask, 'Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?' It is I. And I was talking about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me. You said, 'Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.' I had heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentence." Job 42: 1-6 (NLT)

Adonai ~

In my moments of doubt, I wonder, "How can it be?" And, yet, I hear Your truth. I feel Your desires within my heart. I know these thoughts are from You. Spirit of Truth, please forgive my shallow understanding, dim vision, timid hope.

Beside me, I watch a fragile bird. She is calling with repetition, searching for direction, asking with intention. Creator of all, is she speaking to You? Minutes and more minutes pass. Then, she flies away. Can it be that You are her instincts? Does she hear Your truth? Can it be that You are her song? Does she feel Your desires? Can it be that You are her wings? Does she know You are the Wind?

Oh, Word of Life, that I remember the simple trust of this little bird - knowing that You that will lift me up with certainty of purpose, that I can praise You without all the answers, that I can soar without understanding how. You ask, "Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?" It is I. And I was talking about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me. ~dho

God appoints our graces to be nurses to other men's weakness.

~ Henry Ward Beecher

Prayer does nothing to make God more present, for God is always present. Prayer is our response to the presence of God in our lives.

. . . from A Tree Full of Angels - seeing the
Holy in the ordinary by Macrina Wiederkehr

In His Presence

Holy Father,
Everlasting Light forgive my redundant thoughts. Unfailing Love rescue my reluctant heart. Extravagant Grace fill my repentant soul. Goodness surrounds my every moment, exceeding my vocabulary. You continue to weave an extraordinary tapestry with sacred threads, torn remnants and unspun fibers. All are being woven together by Your Light and Love and Grace. What a masterpiece You are creating - thread by thread, moment by moment, possibility by possibility. Gratitude shouts Hallelujah! A thousand Hallelujahs are not enough. On my knees, LORD, find me on my knees, for You are Great and worthy to be praised! Your presence delights my soul, encourages my spirit, mends my wounds, shows me truth, offers me peace. Lord, be my strength, my shield, my joy! I long to abide in Your presence. Amen. ~dho

I'm still in Your presence, but You've taken my hand. You wisely lead me, and then You bless me.
Psalm 73:23-24 (msg)

Listening in His Presence

God - You're my God! I can't get enough of You!
My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You . . .
I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory.
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself;
I bless You every time I take a breath, lifting up my hands to You in prayer.
You satisfy me . . . I will praise You with songs of joy.
If I am sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
I think how much You have helped me; I sing for joy in the shadow of Your protecting wings.
I stay close to You; Your strong right hand holds me securely. . .

Psalm 63:1-8 (the Message, NLT, NCV) . . . a Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah


Holy Father,
Open my heart, for I long to hear Your voice. I listen for Your instructions, meditate on Your wonders. I collate my random thoughts and lay them at Your altar. Through the silence, I hear Your whispers of mercy and compassion and tenderness. Inside my longing heart, prayers of praise rise to You. My soul finds satisfaction in the shadow of Your protecting wings that exists nowhere else. Holy Spirit, bring His presence and His peace. Amen. ~ dho