Animals at the Bottom of the Sea
Redon, Odilon, 1840-1916. Animals at the Bottom of the Sea, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56936 [retrieved May 13, 2022]. Original source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Odilon_Rendon_Animals-of-the-Bottom-of-the-Sea.jpg.
Praise the Lord Ye Heavens by Young Ocean
So Will I by Hillsong United
A Hassidic Tale
When the great Rabbi Israel Baal Shem-Tov saw misfortune threatening the Jews it was his custom to go into a certain part of the forest to meditate. There he would light a fire, say a special prayer and the miracle would be accomplished and the misfortune averted.
Later when his disciple, the celebrated Magid of Mezeritch, had occasion, for the same reason, to intercede with heaven, he would go to the same place in the forest and say, “Master of the Universe, listen! I do not know how to light the fire, but I am still able to say the prayer,” and again the miracle would be accomplished.
Still later, Rabbi Moseh-Leib of Sasov, in order to save his people once more, would go into the forest and say: “I do not know how to light the fire, I do not know the prayer, but I know the place and this must be sufficient.” It was sufficient and the miracle was accomplished.
Then it fell to Rabbi Israel of Rizhyn to overcome misfortune. Sitting in his armchair, his head in his hands, he spoke to God: I am unable to light the fire and I do not know the prayer; I cannot even find the place in the forest. All I can do is to tell the story, and this must be sufficient.”
And it was sufficient.
Elie Wiesel
When the great Rabbi Israel Baal Shem-Tov saw misfortune threatening the Jews it was his custom to go into a certain part of the forest to meditate. There he would light a fire, say a special prayer and the miracle would be accomplished and the misfortune averted.
Later when his disciple, the celebrated Magid of Mezeritch, had occasion, for the same reason, to intercede with heaven, he would go to the same place in the forest and say, “Master of the Universe, listen! I do not know how to light the fire, but I am still able to say the prayer,” and again the miracle would be accomplished.
Still later, Rabbi Moseh-Leib of Sasov, in order to save his people once more, would go into the forest and say: “I do not know how to light the fire, I do not know the prayer, but I know the place and this must be sufficient.” It was sufficient and the miracle was accomplished.
Then it fell to Rabbi Israel of Rizhyn to overcome misfortune. Sitting in his armchair, his head in his hands, he spoke to God: I am unable to light the fire and I do not know the prayer; I cannot even find the place in the forest. All I can do is to tell the story, and this must be sufficient.”
And it was sufficient.
Elie Wiesel
Imaging the Word An Arts and Lectionary Resource, Volume 1
Spiritual Practices: Keyword Listing
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
Keyword listing is a method of observational Bible study. It doesn’t require any special skills, tools, or training. You can read more about the process of keyword listing here. You can choose any word or short phrase to study using keyword listing. For this passage, we suggest the following keyword(s) to start your study.
Starting Points
- Lord (and related pronouns) - Discover how the author celebrates God
- Make at list of all of things that the author says praise God
Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
(Psalm 146:1-2)
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord, O my soul!
I will praise the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.
(Psalm 146:1-2)
Spiritual Practices: Breath Prayer
Overview
The writer of this psalm is completely caught up in praising God. He celebrates God's work in creation, establishing justice, healing, and restoration. When we take time to look past our current frustrations, like this writer, we can find many reasons to praise God. Unfortunately it is way to easy to get caught up in the frustrations of the moment and overlook the blessings of God. We have to make a conscious choice to praise God. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
O Lord God, today I will praise you.
David Dalton
Overview
The writer of this psalm is completely caught up in praising God. He celebrates God's work in creation, establishing justice, healing, and restoration. When we take time to look past our current frustrations, like this writer, we can find many reasons to praise God. Unfortunately it is way to easy to get caught up in the frustrations of the moment and overlook the blessings of God. We have to make a conscious choice to praise God. That is what this breath prayer is about.
Prayer
O Lord God, today I will praise you.
David Dalton
Prayer Response
Almighty God, I join my voice with the sun, moon and stars, with the wind and the clouds, with the snow and midst, with the hills, mountains, and plains, with the birds, sea creatures, and animals , and with all of creation, I praise you. Amen.
David Dalton
Almighty God, I join my voice with the sun, moon and stars, with the wind and the clouds, with the snow and midst, with the hills, mountains, and plains, with the birds, sea creatures, and animals , and with all of creation, I praise you. Amen.
David Dalton