Daily Prayer :: Water

Encouragement for a lifelong journey of faith

Category: Desmond Tutu (Page 1 of 2)

January 29, 2017 — Exemplary lives

January 29, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Today’s Bible reading

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

More thoughts for meditation

“There is a certain kind of dignity we admire, and to which we aspire, in the person who refuses to meet anger with anger, violence with violence, or hatred with hatred.” ― Desmond Tutu, The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World

As we started our week with the reminder to look to our spiritual elders for guidance, we will end with that same reminder. Many of us have been through a lot this year, some are overwhelmed by our politics, and many have been through more personal struggles. Today we are reminding ourselves again, that we are not alone—that others have suffered more than we can imagine and, more importantly, that we have them to look to for inspiration.

When we focus on the people who inspire us, it shifts the focus from hopelessness to faith. We can allow ourselves to be lost in the 24hr wall of news, or we can make the choice to be led by those who have set an example of honor, love and bravery. We can despair or we can hope, but it is our choice.

Suggestions for action

Think of a person who lived and exemplary life of service and take some time out of your day to read or watch a video of that person. If you are having a hard time thinking of one, here are a few: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rigoberta Menchu, Mahatma Gandhi, Corretta Scott King, Oscar Romero, Malala Yousafazai. After you read or listen to the person you have selected, make a plan to carve out some time, and sit in silence with God. When you do this bring the areas of your life which need healing (we all have them). Ask God to meet you and to shine a light on the ways you can use your own struggles to encourage the people around you.

Also, here is a short video Of Desmond Tutu, if you want to learn more about his life and love for God: 

All week we will be praying this prayer (an excerpt from Tutu’s An African Prayer Book), sung at the Caribbean Conference of Christians:

The right hand of God is writing in our land,
Writing with power and with love.
Our conflicts and our fears, our triumphs and our tears
Are recorded by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is pointing in our land,
Pointing the way we must go.
So clouded is the way, so easily we stray,
But we’re guided by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is striking in our land,
Striking out at envy, hate and greed.
Our selfishness and lust, our pride and unjust
Are destroyed by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is lifting in our land,
Lifting the fallen one by one.
Each one is known by name, and rescued now from shame,
By the lifting of the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is healing in our land,
Healing broken bodies, minds and souls,
So wondrous is its touch, with love that means so much,
When we’re healed by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is planting in our land,
Planting seeds of freedom, hope and love,
In these Caribbean lands, let his people all join hands,
And be one with the right hand of God.

January 28, 2017 — Love matters

January 28, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Today’s Bible reading

We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother or sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:19

More thoughts for meditation

“The quality of human life on our planet is nothing more than the sum total of our daily interactions with one another. Each time we help, and each time we harm, we have a dramatic impact on our world.” ― Desmond Tutu

One thing Desmond Tutu is faithful to remind us of is that the love we have for each other matters. One of the best things about reaching out to others is that it brings more people into our mission of Christ’s love and healing. Each person, in their smallness, may not be able to make big sweeping changes, but we can make little ones which impact our own neighborhoods and cities. As we saw in the marches last weekend, the power of individuals joining together is strong. As the momentum of the week’s events subsides, let’s be reminded to pray daily for opportunities to serve and respond with compassion.

Those who demonstrate that kind of love almost always have a spiritual practice, and today’s scripture reference reminds us of the cyclical nature in the spiritual life: Loving each other helps us love God, and experiencing God’s love enables us to take care of each other. Let’s make it a point to turn to God for the energy to love, and to love as a way of bringing us close to God. Reaching out to others with compassion is a tangible manifestation of God’s powerful and healing heart.

Suggestions for action

Sit in a quiet room or space. Take several deep breaths. Visualize your neighborhood or community. If various people or issues come to your mind, pray about them. Ask God to provide you with the opportunity to help another person with something today.

All week we will be praying this prayer (an excerpt from Tutu’s An African Prayer Book), sung at the Caribbean Conference of Christians:

The right hand of God is writing in our land,
Writing with power and with love.
Our conflicts and our fears, our triumphs and our tears
Are recorded by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is pointing in our land,
Pointing the way we must go.
So clouded is the way, so easily we stray,
But we’re guided by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is striking in our land,
Striking out at envy, hate and greed.
Our selfishness and lust, our pride and unjust
Are destroyed by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is lifting in our land,
Lifting the fallen one by one.
Each one is known by name, and rescued now from shame,
By the lifting of the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is healing in our land,
Healing broken bodies, minds and souls,
So wondrous is its touch, with love that means so much,
When we’re healed by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is planting in our land,
Planting seeds of freedom, hope and love,
In these Caribbean lands, let his people all join hands,
And be one with the right hand of God.

January 27, 2017 — Wholeness depends on how, not what

January 27, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Today’s Bible reading

So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. — Matthew 6

More thoughts for meditation

“Out of the cacophony of random suffering and chaos that can mark human life, the life artist sees or creates a symphony of meaning and order. A life of wholeness does not depend on what we experience. Wholeness depends on how we experience our lives.” ― Desmond Tutu

Being brave in the face of a world bent on destroying itself is tough. Even the most radical of activists can crumble if she spends too much time thinking about slave labor, the climate crisis, or the amount raw hate in the news these days. But God does not call us to a spirit of fear. He calls us to believe in his power and promises that faith as small as a mustard seed will produce big and beautiful results. Instead of listening to lies which call us into apathy, let’s listen to the voice Jesus who calls us into hope and action. Let’s remember that there is a season for everything and that seasons of pressure and stress illuminate the times of joy when they finally arrive—but we must also remain activated until God decides it’s time for the seasons change.

To indulge the Lord of the Rings fans, here is another great quote on the subject:

Frodo: I wish the Ring had never come to me. I wish none of this had happened.
Gandalf: So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. There are other forces at work in this world, Frodo, besides the will of evil.

Suggestions for action

Find a quite space, and think of an area of your life, or in the world, which feels overwhelming. Ask God to meet you in your time of quiet. Without trying to resolve the problem, just sit with God in silence, as long as you can, keeping the problematic issue on your mind. Once you have done this for a few minutes offer your honest feelings about this thing to the Lord and ask him to give you hope. You can repeat this before going to bed at night.

All week we will be praying this prayer (an excerpt from Tutu’s An African Prayer Book), sung at the Caribbean Conference of Christians:

The right hand of God is writing in our land,
Writing with power and with love.
Our conflicts and our fears, our triumphs and our tears
Are recorded by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is pointing in our land,
Pointing the way we must go.
So clouded is the way, so easily we stray,
But we’re guided by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is striking in our land,
Striking out at envy, hate and greed.
Our selfishness and lust, our pride and unjust
Are destroyed by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is lifting in our land,
Lifting the fallen one by one.
Each one is known by name, and rescued now from shame,
By the lifting of the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is healing in our land,
Healing broken bodies, minds and souls,
So wondrous is its touch, with love that means so much,
When we’re healed by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is planting in our land,
Planting seeds of freedom, hope and love,
In these Caribbean lands, let his people all join hands,
And be one with the right hand of God.

Today is Mahalia Jackson Day!  Visit her at our sister site: Celebrating our Transhistorical Body.

January 26, 2017 — You can’t be human in isolation

January 26, 2017 / / 0 Comments

Today’s Bible reading

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. — Hebrews 10:23-24

More thoughts for meditation

“A person is a person through other persons; you can’t be human in isolation; you are human only in relationships.” 
― Desmond Tutu

It’s interesting that one of the first symptoms depression manifests is the desire to be isolated and shut in. There are many around us, and in our greater community, who are suffering. Quite often, when a person is engulfed in a struggle they can come across as cold or withdrawn. This is especially true for Philadelphians, who are known for their tough exteriors and sass. It’s important that we don’t judge too many books by their covers when we meet them. Jesus reached into the lives of many who may not have reached out for him otherwise, and we should follow his example of loving, and checking in, no matter how many insecurities a person’s exterior may trigger within ourselves.

Likewise, if we are the ones who suffer, we need to be faithful to show up. Most times, the simple act of showing up is all that is needed to restore a sense of joy and belonging. If it doesn’t, and there are certainly times when it won’t, we should believe that the Spirit of God lives and breathes in our community. Eventually the love will overcome. Let’s never underestimate the power of despair to paralyze, or the power of a community to remind us that God knows us by name. Living in a community dredges up vulnerability for sure, but it also reminds us that God loves us no matter what and that she can handle anything we lay at her feet. The more we go through together, the more connected we are to one another. It’s a kind of love we can only feel through a committed life in a community.

Suggestions for action

Is there anything you’ve been feeling you need to get off your chest? Share it with someone today. Then take time to write about the experience on a piece of paper or in your journal. On the other hand, is there anyone on your block or at work that you’ve been wanting to get to know? Reach out to them with a smile or start a conversation. Pray that God will be with you in that interaction.

All week we will be praying this prayer (an excerpt from Tutu’s An African Prayer Book), sung at the Caribbean Conference of Christians:

The right hand of God is writing in our land,
Writing with power and with love.
Our conflicts and our fears, our triumphs and our tears
Are recorded by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is pointing in our land,
Pointing the way we must go.
So clouded is the way, so easily we stray,
But we’re guided by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is striking in our land,
Striking out at envy, hate and greed.
Our selfishness and lust, our pride and unjust
Are destroyed by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is lifting in our land,
Lifting the fallen one by one.
Each one is known by name, and rescued now from shame,
By the lifting of the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is healing in our land,
Healing broken bodies, minds and souls,
So wondrous is its touch, with love that means so much,
When we’re healed by the right hand of God.

The right hand of God is planting in our land,
Planting seeds of freedom, hope and love,
In these Caribbean lands, let his people all join hands,
And be one with the right hand of God.

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