12/1/11

Emmanuel: God-With-Us

Father's Embrace by Ruth Councell
I wrote this prayer 11 years ago while on retreat and have posted it several times here over the last three years.  I find this especially helpful for my prayer in Advent and in Lent, seasons for growing closer to the Lord who desires always to draw us closer to him.

Embrace

You enfold me, entwine and embrace me.
You handle me, hold me and hide me.
You wrestle, welcome and want me.

Your chin by my ear,
your hand in my hair,
your arm 'round my back,
my arms rounding you,
my face on your chest:
I'm held in your warmth.

Your eyes keep close watch,
mine close in deep peace.
Your fingers stroke softly
my head's numbered strands.
Your grip is a gift,
your grasp saving grace.

"You are mine," you whisper,
"I call you by name:
you are found and forgiven,
brought home and beloved."

"Yes, I am," I breathe back,
"shaped and healed by your hand.
You call me by name:
I am yours, you are mine."


- Art by Ruth Councell, used with permission


 

   
Subscribe to A Concord Pastor Comments 

2 comments:

  1. I loved reading this - brilliant and I was very moved by it.

    All I can say is are there more where these came from ?

    God, I hope so !
    Hope you are having a bountiful week and look forward to your return- you are coming back, aren't you ??:-))

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is precisely what I needed to pray this morning.

    May your time of retreat be graced!

    ReplyDelete

Please THINK before you write
and PRAY before you think!