Basic Beliefs: Lord, Teach Us To Pray - AFC 1997

All Creation Sings

Psalm 148, Ephesians 1:9­10, Job 12:7­10, Isaiah 55:6-13

Join the chorus - sing your part and blend with the others.

We have described prayer as the expression of one's relationship with God.
It may take the form of conversation, crying, silent reflection, praise, meditation, action, devoted pursuit.
Our individual relationships with God are set in the context of the larger "body" and in the even larger context of the whole of creation.
Can we appreciate some of this bigger picture?

Creation--nature, the universe, the physical world--stands in relationship with God. By extension, then, we may perhaps see creation, parts and whole, singing the praise of God.

Psalm 148

Is it difficult to perceive creation as telling forth the praises of God?
How can we "get to know" God through nature?
What good is it to ponder nature?
Are there ways of "using" nature which are not consistent with its relationship with God?
Ever had a pet help you to pray?

Lord, may we love all your creation, all the earth and every grain of sand in it.
May we love every leaf, every ray of your light.

May we love the animals; you have given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled.
Let us not trouble it;
let us not harass them,
let us not deprive them of their happiness,
let us not work against your intent.

For we acknowledge unto you that all is like an ocean,
All is flowing and blending,
and that to withhold any measure of love from anything in your universe
is to withhold that same measure from you. Amen.
Dostoevsky

Prayer is our response to our awareness of God - how are we responding?