inescapable God

After claiming I wouldn't get the chance to complete anything for the current Salt Challenge, I did put together a scrapbook page last night. The photo I took a couple of years ago - I use it often in cards. The theme is 'he knows me inside and out' based on Psalm 139.

Some time ago now, I led a service based loosely around Psalm 139, particularly focussing on verse 12:
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
There are many times in life when we cannot see God, but as this Psalm makes clear, he can always see us. He is our inescapable God. I find interesting the similarity of verses 1 and 23, the first a statement - O LORD you have searched me and you know me - and the other a request, no, an invitation - Search me, O God, and know my heart. This verse shows a desire to be known completely by God, a desire I long to have daily.

I used verses 23 -24 to springboard into the prayers in the service, and I thought I would share them here.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
See if there is any wicked way in me
and lead me in the way everlasting. Ps 139:23-24

Lord, only you know the thoughts and motives of our hearts,
better than we know ourselves.
Search us, Father, in all our brokenness and need
cleanse us and renew us.
Shine your light into the dark places,
and forgive us for all that is wrong within us.
May we grow closer and closer to you,
deeper in our knowledge of you
and better imitators of your son, Jesus Christ.

Our world is filled with darkness,
and only you know the full extent of it.
Do not let us give up hope,
for you are the source of hope
and you uphold the world
in all its brokenness.

Father, for the injured, the sick, the poor and the hungry
for the lonely, the grieving, the lost and the weary,
for the bitter, the angry, the broken and the despairing
bring your healing, your sustenance, your light
and your hope.

May we never let go of you – for you are the only one
who can heal our world.

Today: 4/10, medium

Yesterday: 4/10, medium