“Reveal who you are.” -Matthew 6:9b (The Message)
Trends and theories all have their day, and often the most popular are in reaction to something that has come before. For those of us living in the West, our cultural conditioning towards individualism impacts our religious expression as well. We may forget how radical Jesus was in addressing God directly and so personally.
Our Christian faith is another invitation to practice both and. We have a personal relationship with Christ and we are part of a community of believers. We hold a set of beliefs and we live in ways that reflect what we profess. God is immanent and transcendent. Jesus is human and divine. The Kingdom of God is already and not yet.
As we pray, we acknowledge our closeness to God, our beloved Creator. And we recognize the vastness of God who stands outside of time. We pray with praise and petition; in gratitude and bearing our griefs. We pray to connect and to confess. We come to prayer both to speak and to listen. We learn of God through epiphany and revelation.
Holy God, you invite us to join with your work in the world. We are humbled and honored. Reveal yourself to us in the sacred ordinary of lives, that we might recognize your gifts and goodness around us. Amen.
some comfort and joy 