LENT SOUL SONG VISUAL PRAYER
Psalm 95
Holding in Care
“God holds in care the earth we walk upon,
from its deep caverns,
to mountain summits which meet the sky.” -Psalm 95
Read Psalm 95
- What parts of this Psalm speak to you? Inspire, resonate or call to you in days like these?
- What feelings, longings, hopes are evoked in you as you pray this Psalm?
- Meribah was one of the identity markers for the people of God. When they arrived at this oasis, the waters were bitter and they complained to God bitterly. A miracle was performed and the waters were turned to sweet, drinkable waters. Where in your life have you experienced a sign of God’s Presence that marked you forever?
- The number 40 (verse 10) is one of the sacred numbers of the ancient world. “Symbolically it stands for the period of becoming or birthing, and is related to the number of weeks of pregnancy.” (Lynn Baumann) As we live through these days balancing fear and precaution, can you imagine new and good things coming into being even in such a time as this? What hopes do you have? In what ways can you be part of showing care?
- The Psalm begins in a burst of praise and thanksgiving. What prayers of gratitude are praying in you in such a time as this?
Prayer for Entering this Week
While 40 is a sacred number in the ancient world, in our global world today 14 days is on our lips and in our experience.
Rain drenched the Ark for 40 days and 40 nights.
People of God shuffled through desert sand for 40 years.
Time Moses spent with God on a Mountain? 40 days and 40 nights.
Manna on the menu? 40 years.
Yet Elijah’s one meal strengthened him for 40 days.
David reigned for 40 years. As did Solomon.
Number of days for Nineveh to turn around? 40 days.
Jesus sojourn in the desert, 40 days and 40 nights.
14 days for self-isolating.
14 days of waiting, distancing, watching, worrying.
14 days of inconvenience, bother, hardship, loss.
14 days.
Let us breathe together. Spiritually connecting. Listening deeply. Lending one another support.
With living hearts.
We are here,
holding one another in care. (Janice MacLean)
