50 Mini Mandala Meditations

 50 MINIATURE MANDALA MEDITATIONS

Finding God-Glory in the ‘Little Things’

Roses in bloom in Portland end of May. 

6.11.17  A Rose Prayer

Psalm 65:11 MSG

Scatter rose petals down your paths – all through the wild meadows, rose petals.

To leave a trail of rose petals, with sweet fragrance and velvet touch, is to bring a little bit of God-glory to everyone on the path.

 Help me, Lord, to bring your joy to those I encounter.  Amen.  

Sandcrabs all over the beach at low tide. 

6.12.17  Sandcrab Prayer

Isaiah 42:3 MSG

He won’t disregard the small and insignificant….

Tiny sandcrabs

Litter the beach,

Pocket holes dot the shore.

Little bodies upended.

God loves even these.  

May I learn to acknowledge and celebrate the hidden and unseen life around me.  Amen.  

Feathers on the Bandon beach. 

6.13.17  Feather Prayers

Psalm 91:4 Voice

God will cover you with His feathers, will protect you under His great wings...

Light, fluffy, and soft…

Feathers drift in the wind.

Everywhere, small bits of strength.

Like our Protector God,

Everywhere and in everything,

Watching over us.

Thank you, God, for holding us up in unseen and often unrecognized ways.  Amen. 

Forget Me Nots seen along the  beach in Bandon. 

6.14.17   Forget-Me-Not Prayers

Deuteronomy 8:11 GNT

Make certain that you do not forget the Lord your God; do not fail to obey any of his laws that I am giving you today. 

Elfin size blossoms of blue and gold;

Mini reminders to ‘forget not’…

Forget the blunders, forget the wrongs,

But ‘Forget Not’ the God who forgives.

Thank you, God, for your forgiving grace. May I ‘forget it not’ and bestow the same on all I encounter.  Amen. 

Raindrops on the iris in my garden. 

6.15.17   Dewdrop Prayers

Exodus 16:13 MSG

…in the morning there was a layer of dew all over…

Dewdrops, raindrops,

Little drops of Living Water;

God cleansing the world,

God-grace in droplet form.

May I see the rain not as nuisance, but cleansing, the waters of life from above.  Amen.  

6.16.17  Fish Prayers

John 6:9 GNT

There is a boy here who has five loaves of barley bread and two fish.  But they will certainly not be enough for all these people. 

Five loaves, two fish

Certainly not enough.

But God works with what we offer.

To make our gifts enough. 

To think otherwise puts limits

On the abilities of God.

Lord, may I never hesitate to offer my gifts thinking they are not good enough. Amen.  

Shooting Star wildflowers found on Bald Mt. Hike

6.17.17 Shooting Star Prayers

Psalm 147:4 MSG

He counts the stars and gives each a name.

Purple wildflowers or pinpricks of light,

Earthly stars or celestial glow.

Each is known by God,

Individually. Loved. 

Just like you…and me. 

I cannot fathom so big a God to know each part of Creation by name, but I know you love each and every one of us.  Amen.  

Vetch covers hillsides of Bandon beach dunes. 

6.18.17 Vetch Prayers

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 

A simple flower - really a weed.

But together it multiplies

Into a mass of color and beauty.

Much like simples acts of love

Together become heaven on earth.

Help us work together, Lord, to multiply your love among one another.  Amen.  

Recent campfires in backyard.

6.19.17  Fire Prayers

James 3:5

How great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

One little spark makes a flame,

One act of kindness ignites a chain reaction.

We cannot underestimate God’s power

To make the small into mighty. 

Lord, help us act even in small ways, knowing you will multiply the love.  Amen.  

New pinecone growth during hike on Dooley Mt.

6.20.17  PineCone Prayers

Isaiah 41:19 GNT

I will make cedars grow in the desert,

  And acacias and myrtles and olive trees.

Forests will grow in the barren land,

  Forests of pine and juniper and cypress.

In the woodlands trees of all kinds

Flourish together side by side.

Isn’t it God’s plan for all species of life

To find a similar sense of harmony? 

Lord, help us look beyond our differences to the common unity in our Creator.  Amen.  

6.22.17   Paintbrush Plus Prayers

Psalm 65:9

Paint the wheat fields golden – Creation was made for this!

Does God use the Indian paintbrush

   to color wildflowers red

   or to tint the clouds at sunset?

God’s palette paints all of Creation

   In a rainbow of Glory-Color!

Praise to our Artist God who colors our world with glory! Amen.  

6.23.17  Five Stone Prayers

1 Samuel 17:40 GNT

David…picked up five smooth stones from the stream and put them in his bag.  With his sling ready, he went out to meet Goliath.

Five stones, just a few rocks,

Plucked from a nearby stream

And a challenge was met.

What can we do with the

stones surrounding us?

What challenge lies waiting for action?

God, help me to pick up my stones-for-action and rise to a new challenge in your name.  Amen. 

 

6.24.17  Geranium Prayers

1 Corinthians 1:28

God chose what the world thinks insignificant in order to destroy what the world thinks is important. 

Tiny geranium growing wild

And tucked into the brambles…

God has big plans for such.

I am only one of infinity,

Tucked in a corner of universe,

Does God have plans for me?

Use me, Lord, with my meager skills to bring about your Kingdom.  Amen. 

6.25.17  Calla Lily Prayers

Song of Solomon 2:1

I am the rose of Sharon, the lily of the valleys. 

The calla lily gently

Enfolds its golden child

In loving arms –

A perfect example of the

Elegant simplicity

Of God’s love.

Gently wrap me, Lord, in your arms.  Amen.

 

6.26.17  Cater-fly Prayers

2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

We all…are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. 

God loves us in caterpillar form,

But longs to bring about the

Transformation that will give us

The wings to fly. 

Work within me, Lord, to give me the wings to fly with you.  Amen. 

6.27.17  Sparrow Prayers

Luke 12:7 ESV

Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. 

God counts the sparrows,

Flock in swarms of thousands,

Knows and loves each one.

How much more does God love

Each and every one of us?

May our love be the same.  

When I start to judge others, Lord, give me your eyes to see as you see and the heart to love the same.  Amen.  

6.28.17 Ladybug Prayers

Luke 1:28 MSG

Good morning, Mary!  You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, inside and out!

Marienkafer. Mary Beetle.

Cloak of red, spots of sorrow.

Stature small, mighty in service.

May we reflect such beauty,

Such hidden service in God’s name.

May I respond as Mary in accepting your call to service.  Amen

6.29.17  Mushroom Prayers

Exodus 16:35 Voice

For 40 years the Israelites were sustained by the manna God supplied.

Speculation as to the nature of manna,

 with some degree of substance,

lends credence to a type of mushroom.

I know folks who consider morels a sort of manna in the wilderness!

May my eyes be quick to see the provisions of manna you offer, O God.  

6.30.17  Anenome Prayers

Job 11:13-17

If you set your heart on God and reach out to him….your world will be washed in sunshine…

Stuck to the tidal rocks,

The anenomes reach out with waving arms

To find sustenance and life.

How often do we stretch out with such enthusiasm

To reach for God and spiritual food?

May I reach out for you, Lord, and discover the abundant life to be found.  Amen.  

7.1.17  Raindrop Prayers

Deut 32:2

My teaching, let it fall like a gentle rain, my words arrive like morning dew…

God comes to us in hidden gifts -

Little drops of baptism

That refresh each new day,

A gentle rainfall of grace

That washes us clean and renewed.

Rain on me, Lord, with tiny drops of daily baptism.  Amen.  

7.2.17   Stone Prayers

Luke 19:40 Voice

Listen – if they were silent, the very rocks would start to shout!

What if we fail to proclaim?

What if we remain silent to the grace of God?

Then Creation will shout it for us!

The stones, the stars, the birds, the forests!

Glory to God!  Proclaim our praise!

May I not leave the proclamation to the stones, Lord. Amen. 

Filtered sunshine shone through the trees of Judy Baker's home.

7.3.17  Leafy Prayers

Proverbs 11:28

He who trust in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like the green leaf.

Sunlight filters through,

Creating green shadows

On the canopy of leaves.

God-Light seeking the

Shadows of Life,

And bringing grace to us. 

May I seek your Light in the Shadows of Life, O Lord.  Amen. 

7.4.17  Freedom Prayers

Leviticus 25:10

You are to consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim freedom in the land for all its inhabitant.  It will be your Jubilee!

The dove of peace,

The eagle of justice,

Let the Jubilee of Freedom

Reign in our land!

May I help bring the peace and justice of freedom to those who are desperate for Jubilee, Lord.  Amen. 

Bandon beach has been covered with crabs of all sizes! 

7.5.17 Crab Prayers

Mark 7:19 Voice

Outside things go through their guts and back out, thus making all foods pure. 

Forbidden foods?

Old Testament rules.

Jesus came to abolish the old,

And welcome the new standards!

Thank goodness!  I love crab! 

You brought new light and love to old traditions and laws, Lord.  We are thankful.  Amen.  

7.6.17  Speck and Log Prayers

Matthew 7:3

Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

It seems to be easier

To find fault with another

And ignore our same failures.

What a blessing that

God is able to see specks and logs equally -

With grace and forgiveness. 

Help me, Lord, to see past the specks and logs to your grace.  Amen.  

7.7.17  Sanctuary Stone Prayers

1 Peter 2:4

Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life.

I am a building block,

A stone for a solid foundation.

But  real life will only come

to my ‘Stone Sanctuary’

If my foundation is based on God. 

Make of me a strong and solid sanctuary stone, O God.  Amen.

7.8.17  Garden Prayers

Genesis 2:8

Then the Lord planted a garden in Eden.

We gathered today amidst flowers and blooms,

In tribute to a mother who grew love and hospitality,

Who cultivated faith and gratitude.

Her garden of Eden – a roomful of family and friends -

Burst forth in a multicolored floral display

of laughter and love.

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of our mother.  Amen. 

7.9.17  Stick ‘n’ Stone Prayers

Proverbs 15:1 GNT

A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up. 

Stick and stone words,

Harsh words, kind words.

Words can hurt, words can heal.

Mash or mend, break or build…

What words come forth

From MY mouth?

Lord, help my words heal and reveal your love.  Amen.  

7.10.17  Sanctuary Prayers

Psalm 9:9

God is a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times.

This stretch of shore is a sacred sanctuary –

Spirals and circles,

Spinning in sunbursts of surf sounds and silence.

Steps stretch through sands of shell and seaweed,

Starfish and stone;

Sunlight sparkles on sea summits,

And a sonata of siblings and spirit,

Sacrifice and service,

Sings on zephyr breezes.

My soul seeks the sacred in the sanctuary

Of this space.  Amen. 

Lord God, may I rest in the sanctuary of your love.  Amen. 

7.11.17 Starfish Prayers

Genesis 22:17

I’ll make sure that your children flourish – like stars in the sky, like sand on the beach!

Starfish –

Royal beacons of the seas,

Celestial stars in ocean depths.

Everpresent, but often hidden.

Much like God?

Your love, God, is as vast as the sands, as eternal as the stars.  Amen. 

7.13.17  Ponderosa Prayers

Isaiah 55:13

No more thistles, but giant sequoias, no more thornbushes, but stately pines …. living and lasting evidence of God.

Ponderosas of gnarly orange garb,

Pose with perfect posture

In the grassy plain of golden light.

Ageless and strong,

So God-like;

As our eyes are drawn

To their soaring crowns

Marking a path to the heavens.

God, there is something holy and reflective of you in the flaming bark of a mighty pine.  Thank you.  Amen. 

7.14.17 Grasshopper Prayers

Proverbs 30:24,27 MSG

There are four small creatures, wisest of the wise they are….locusts – leaderless insects, yet they strip the field like an army regiment…

It seems I can praise

The solitary grasshopper,

While loathing the crowd effect

Of a swarm bent on devastation.

What chaos is created when,

A hungry mass bands together

In solidarity!

A lesson to be learned?

Lord, may we listen to the voices of the hungry BEFORE their actions reflect their desperation.  Amen. 

7.15.17 Dragonfly Prayers

Genesis 1:24

Earth, generate life!  Produce a vast variety of living creatures….

Giant eyes and double wings,

Sight and flight beyond compare,

The lowly dragonfly a mere sample

Of God’s incredible imagination

And creativity. 

Thank you, God, for filling our world with such complex variety.  Amen.  

7.16.17  Gardens and Rivers Prayer

Genesis 2:10 GNT

A stream flowed in Eden and watered the garden; beyond Eden it divided into four rivers. 

Living waters like rivers flow

From the heart of God,

Sustaining the gardens of our soul,

Filling us with grace and love.

Water my inner flowers, Lord.

Water the flowers of my heart and soul, Lord, that I might be a garden of your Love.  Amen.  

7.17.17 Ant Prayers

Proverbs 30:24-5

There are four small creatures, wisest of the wise they are – ants – frail as they are, get plenty of food in the winter.

Summer picnic on crimson spread -

We anguish over the invasion of

Tiny black specks scurrying about,

But their industry should be inspiring

As they work in unison

For the common good.

 

Help us, Lord, be worker ants in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Amen.

7.18.17   Letter Prayers

Matthew 5:18 Voice

Until heaven and earth disappear, not one letter, not one pen stroke, will disappear from the sacred law.

Hebrew for Yahweh

Reminds us all,

That Jesus came to fulfill the law

And bring God and man together. 

May I never allow the letter of law to supersede the love of God.  Amen.

7.19.17  Lizard & Mouse Prayers

Leviticus 11:29-30 GNT

Moles, rats, mice, and lizards must be considered unclean.

Unclean!  Unclean!

Makes us afraid or leery,

But such laws were just

For early cultures

As a means of sanitation.

Yet God loves such critters as well.

Help me understand, Lord, how to apply the ancient laws to today’s modern world.  Amen. 

7.20.17 Joshua Stone Prayers

Joshua 4:7

These stones are a permanent memorial for the People of Israel.

Pillars of stone

Strong, steadfast, and sure.

Varied in hue and size.

Remind us of an eternal God

Who cares for ALL of humanity. 

Lord, may we see your strength and love in stones…and in each other.  Amen. 

7.21.17  Water Lily Prayers

Job 40:15,21 CEB

Look at Behemoth…he lies under the lotuses, under cover of reed and marsh.

Behemoth…the land’s Leviathan

But created by God also.

Placid under the lotus leaves

That hide a world of activity

Much like the water lilies of Anthony basin.

All creation is yours, O God, beautiful and wonderfully made.  Amen. 

7.22.17 Orchard Prayers

Ecclesiastes 2:5 GNT

I planted gardens and orchards, with all kinds of fruit trees in them…

Tree-plucked apples,

Juicy, tart yet sweet.

Summer harvest,

Red, green, yellow

Gifts from God. 

Lord, may I fully appreciate the bounty of the summer harvest season.  Amen.  

7.23.17  Vineyard Prayers

1 Kings 21:2 MSG

 “Give me your vineyard so I can use it as a kitchen garden; it’s right next to my house – so convenient.”

So convenient, Ahab said.

Despite the impact on Naboth.

How often do I ‘seek a vineyard’

Because it suits my needs,

Ignoring the implications for others?

May grapes serve to remind -

Convenience for one isn’t convenience for all.

May I think through the ramifications of my actions, Lord. 

7.24.17 Providence Prayers

Numbers 24:6 GNT

Like long rows of palms

Or gardens beside a river,

Like aloes planted by the Lord

Or cedars beside the water. 

The Lord provides…

Comfort from shade of palms,

Sustenance and beauty from gardens,

Healing from aloes,

Housing from cedars. 

Praise the Lord of Providence!

God, may we demonstrate our gratefulness daily for your provision of our needs. 

7.25.17 Sun and Rain Prayers

Matt 5:45

He gives his best – the sun to warm and the rain to nourish – to everyone, regardless: the good and bad…

The good, the bad,

The rich, the poor,

God doesn’t differentiate.

God gives his best –

Grace and Love –

To all Creation.

What a blessing, Lord, to know your “best” is ours even when we stray.  Amen. 

 

7.26.17  Mustard Seed Prayers

Mark 4:31 Voice

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, the tiniest seed you can sow.

Dream big. Kingdom of Heaven.

Act small. Mustard Seeds.

Our mini moments of compassion,

Fleeting acts of love,

Will grow when nurtured by God.

Help me to remember, Lord, that I don’t have to save the world, just love my neighbor.  Amen. 

7.27.17  Rudder Prayers

James 3:4 GNT

Think of a ship: big as it is and driven by such strong winds, it can be steered by a very small rudder.

What steers my ship of life?

My rudder is unseen to the eye,

But quite large –

For the God of the universe

Has control of my vessel. 

God of all, may I faithfully make you captain of my ship.  Amen. 

7.28.17  Marsh Prayers

Job 8:11

Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh?  Can the rushes grow without water?

Can I grow without Living Water?

Can we flourish without the Spirit?

Does humanity need the Son?

Can Creation have peace without God?

We are a dependent people,

Whether we acknowledge it or not. 

Help me, Lord, to depend on you, Creator, Son, and Spirit.  Amen.  

7.29.17 Resurrection Prayers

John 11:25 Voice

I am the resurrection and the source of all life; those who believe in Me will live even in death.

Death is not the end,

However painful and sad it may appear.

The butterfly emerges from the cocoon

In unimaginable beauty and grace.

Forget-Not in butterflys.

Believe.   

My heart is heavy, Lord, for a friend on the brink of death. Help us all to believe in the resurrection, to seek the butterfly. Amen. 

7.30.17 Flour and Oil Prayers

1 Kings 17:14 MSG

The jar of flour will not run out and the bottle of oil will not empty before God sends rain on the land….

Like loaves and fishes,

Flour and oil,

What God has blessed

Will provide continuously

To those who believe and trust

In the providence of the Creator.

May my trusting heart overflow as freely as jars of flour and oil.  Amen. 

7.31.17     Little Prayers

Luke 16:10 

One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much. 

Small bits of God-grace

Surround us – everywhere.

If we are true in our relationships

With the lowly,

Our hearts will remain faithful

In the moments of importance.

May I continue to acknowledge and nurture the mini-moments of God-grace I encounter every day.  Amen.