“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength..." Isaiah 30.15 In the Bible the invitation to rest is more of a command. There is a reason why it is woven into the very fabric of creation. God worked for 6 days and then rested on the 7th. Then God wove that pattern into his Maker's Instructions as the 4th Commandment: "Remember the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy." Setting aside one day in the week reminds us that the world does does rely on

"After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands." Revelation 7.9 The prayer of adoration sweeps us up into the presence of God in a special way because it is the ultimate response of all creation: to glorify the Creator. Yet it requires a level of maturity because the

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22. 31f "Covenant" is a biblical word with connotations of promise and commitment. God "covenants" with Abraham, Moses and David in the Old Testament and issues the 10 Commandments and the Temple Law as his people's appropriate response. Jesus fulfils that law in his blood on the cross and pr

"Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6. 8f Over the weekend I had to download all my files, wipe this computer, install a progressive series of software packages and then reload all my files: a complete overhaul! Also an opportunity to cultivate the qualities that are essential to the Prayer of Formation. The Prayer of Formation (let's just call it Formation Prayer) is t

"And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you." Deuteronomy 8.10 A pause to acknowledge today as an opportunity to thank God for the bounty of land, sea, air and life... The fecundity of the soil, the abundance beneath the surface of the ocean, even the fruit that is to be gleaned from the air confirm the generous provision of God. When viewed in that light, it is hardly surprising that he expects fruit from our lives

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 2.42 Learning what Richard Foster calls the Prayer of Relinquishment is a vital step on the road to spiritual maturity. Yet there are no shortcuts. If you need confirmation, consider Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. His own version of the Prayer of Relinquishment "yet not my will but yours be done" came only after his desperate plea, uttered through clenched teeth as sweat poured o

"... weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." Psalm 30.5 "Penthos" is a Greek word referring to the gift of tears. Those of us schooled in the necessity of keeping a stiff upper lip will struggle here! Weeping does not come naturally; indeed, it is considered weak. But not in scripture and not in church tradition, where tears are embraced for the way they unlock the power of our emotions. From Jesus to Paul, from David to Jeremiah, the giants of fa