All Sacred
Mary Kay Speaks of Independence, MO, USA
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind-just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you-so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. -1 Corinthians 1:3-8
Every part of nature connects with every other part. We are part of it all-all sacred.
Every cone in the pine-scented forest, each grain of desert’s hot sand,
ever-glistening drops of rain, the sunrise that blesses each day,
lush green meadow, loud pounding wave, mountains standing so high
-all sacred.
Bird song, mouse squeal, the smack of koala chewing on juicy bright leaves,
the buzz of the bee, the howl of the wolf, the click of a dolphin at play,
the scent of flowers on whispering wind, the rich, clean smell of the dirt
-all sacred.
The taste of fresh fruit, cool falling water, lava glowing at dusk,
the calm and the storm, the snail and the lily, limestone-ready for work.
Imagine yourself and the one at your side, sisters and brothers of Earth
-all sacred.
Reflect on yourself, creative partner, who grows, teaches, and heals,
fixes and helps and cleans and leads, while loving all that lives.
It is part of you, all God’s creation, and you are part of it
-all sacred.
Prayer Phrase
“Led by the Holy Spirit, we work with God and others to restore peace (shalom) to creation” (https://www.cofchrist.org/enduring-principles).
Spiritual Practice
Embodying God’s Shalom
Find a way to express and embody God’s shalom. Begin by prayerfully listening to your longing for peace and wholeness. Become silent and imagine you can hear the groaning of the Earth’s people, nations, and creatures. Prayerfully open yourself to God’s yearning for peace and the divine vision of shalom.
What images, feelings, and words come to you? What prayer for peace comes to you from your time of listening? Speak or write this prayer. What act of justice, kindness, healing, or peacemaking does God invite you to consider this day?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
