July Prayers: On Gratitude
Photo by Tobin Yates.
“He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. ”
DEAR FRIENDS,
We enter July with hearts full of gratitude for your faithful provision during our annual Matching Gift Challenge. Thanks to you, we surpassed our goal! Our unique work that convenes students and community from many walks of life to dig into the depths of the Christian tradition with curiosity and whimsy will be sustained in the year ahead.
Matins
Not the sun merely but the earth
itself shines, white fire
leaping from the showy mountains
and the flat road
shimmering in the early morning: is this
for us only, to induce
response, or are you
stirred also, helpless
to control yourself
in earth’s presence — I am ashamed
at what I thought you were,
distant from us, regarding us
as an experiment: it is
a bitter thing to be
the disposable animal,
a bitter thing. Dear friend,
dear trembling partner, what
surprises you most in what you feel,
earth’s radiance or your own delight?
For me, always
the delight is the surprise.
—Louise Glück
grace & peace,
Christy
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, THEOLOGICAL HORIZONS
PS - I send out our prayer email each month with a verse, poem or prayer and a song. Email me back if you’d like to be included!