Wednesday, March 12th "A Hiding Place"

Therefore let all who are faithful
 offer prayer to you;
 at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
 shall not reach them. 
You are a hiding-place for me;
 you preserve me from trouble;
 you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.                                                                                         ~ Psalm 32: 6-7

Breath Prayer: “You are”     “my hiding place”

        In this Lenten time we yearn for a hiding place where God’s lovingkindness shelters me.  In this psalm we reconnect with daily prayers of thanksgiving, nurturing our faith. This prayer is one for our speaking and our practice in times of despair, as well as times of joy. It keeps us in balance with my life.  In these wilderness days we recognize that this `hiding place’ as sung in this psalm is not a castle on a hill, but a simple covering that brings shelter from the bitter cold and the scorching heat.

         It is through this practice of prayer that we are drawn closer to God’s grace. God has promised to lead us and so it is our practice to listen for instruction and encouragement along the way. It is the cloud in the sky leading by day and the pillar of fire by night that serve as comfort and guide – if we can be open and listen for the Spirit’s call for us.

Prayer: Generous God, we give you thanks for the hiding places you bring. May they shelter us, but not become our home. May we receive rest enough at the end of this day, and rise refreshed to follow you. Amen.

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