Reflection: Habits of dependence

What a rich picture of our attentive God in just a few whisps of Scripture.

See how what we know of him shapes the way we come to him?

“The closer you get to the truth,

the clearer becomes the beauty,

and the more you will find worship welling up within you.”*

But, for all that truth and beauty, being human, we need reminders.

That’s where thoughtful rituals/little liturgies might well fuel us, morning, noon and night.

• Habits of dependence in a heavenly Father who doesn’t get weary or fall asleep.
• Habits that settle our dailies, dreams and despairs in his lap.
• Habits that orientate us to God’s big picture.

I’ve bedded down with this night prayer for more than a year now. It’s simple enough to remember, short enough not to be put to sleep, and profound enough to repeat.

God of all seasons,

the sun has set, the night has gathered in,

my soul sinks slowly into your rest,

trusting now in the resurrection to come. Amen**

Prayer:

[Memorise the following little beauty and repeat throughout today]

 O God, I am as one hungry for rice,

parched as one thirsty for tea.

Fill my so empty heart. Amen.            (a Chinese prayer)

* …That’s why theology and worship belong together. See N.T. Wright, ‘Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense’

**Compline by Pete Greig