Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 12/6

Used with Permission: Father's Embrace by Ruth Councell

Today I'm offering you a prayer here that I wrote  19 years ago while on retreat here at Eastern Point.  I've reposted this prayer over the years so some of you may be familiar with it.  These words rise from a place in my heart that grows deeper on retreat every year - for which I'm very grateful! 

In a nutshell, my annual retreat is an exercise in learning again, over and over, how much I am loved by God.  Like you, I can easily forget or deny or ignore God's love in my life - my retreat helps me find again what it seems I can so easily forget and lose sight of. Perhaps this prayer will help you, too.  In addition to the words of my prayer, you might also pray with the image here, the art of Ruth Councell.

Embrace

You enfold me, entwine and embrace me.

You handle me, hold me and hide me.

You wrestle me, 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 whisper, 
"You're mine, I call you by name:

you're found and forgiven, brought home and beloved."

I breathe, 
"Yes, I am, shaped and healed by your hand.

You call me by name: I am yours, you are mine."

Amen.

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