Flower Mandala Prayers

 FLOWER MANDALA PRAYERS

     It's late spring and all the flowers are budding out in the garden and forests.  One of my favorite times of the year!  While between my previous book and the upcoming trip for a Habitat build, I will surround my prayers with the blossoming beauty around me.  And try to include a scripture verse about flowers as well!  

SATURDAY, May 27

They spring up like flowers and wither away; like fleeting shadows, they do not endure. Job 14:2

Petunia Prayers

SUNDAY, May 28

The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field;  the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. Psalm 103:15-16

MONDAY, May 29

Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." Genesis 1:11

Hibiscus-Bitterroot Prayers
(OK...these aren't from MY garden!)

TUESDAY, May 30

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1Cor 3:7

Mandala drawn years ago at a Women's Conference in Cove, OR

WEDNESDAY, May 31

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Matthew 6:28   

Zendoodle Tulip Prayers - Originally drawn down in New Mexico/Arizona

THURSDAY, June 1

 "Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. Luke 12:27

Peony Prayers:  The blossom FINALLY opened yesterday!

FRIDAY, June 2

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. Isaiah 40:8

Poppy Prayers - The first of the California poppies opened up yesterday!

SATURDAY, June 3

"All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 1 Peter 1:24

SNAPDRAGON Prayers 
 Slowly the tall spikes have begun to open up their blossoms.

SUNDAY, June 4

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24

COLUMBINE PRAYERS: I have both blue and red ones in bloom right now! 

MONDAY, June 5

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Isaiah 35:1

GAZINIA PRAYERS - They only open in the sunshine, so you have to take the picture quickly! 

TUESDAY, June 6

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

IRIS PRAYERS 
My iris garden is beginning to enter full bloom - so glorious! 

WEDNESDAY, June 7

I will bring my people Israel back from exile."They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. Amos 9:14

FLOWER FLAG PRAYERS
Not sure why I went with red-white-blue today, it isn't even Flag Day for another week! 

THURSDAY, June 8

He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. Mark 4:26-27

PRIDE PRAYERS
In celebration of Pride Month and diversity among ALL God's creatures.

FRIDAY, June 9

My beloved has gone down to his garden, to the beds of spices, to browse in the gardens and to gather lilies. Song of Solomon 6:2

PURPLE PRAYERS
Back to some purple columbine and lupine! 

SATURDAY, June 10

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:1-3

SUNFLOWER PRAYERS
My garden is surrounded by 'fake' sunflowers and my 'real' ones aren't in bloom,
but.....soon?

And now...I am off on a Habitat Build! 

SLEEPING with BREAD: Holding What Gives You Life (Linn)

SLEEPING with BREAD:

Holding What Gives You Life

by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn 

     After finishing my Poetry Pie Prayers, I was scrambling on 'where to go from here'?  In looking through my bookcase, I found Sleeping with Bread, a small book purchased years ago but never really read!  Perfect!  For I found at the heart of the message was a way to look, on a daily basis, your life, actions, and love, and to share those highs and lows with others.  The premise of the title is based on stories from World War 2 and the concentration camps: children who were starving were given a loaf of bread to sleep with - the assurance they would have food for another day.  What gives us bread today?  What gives us life?  These are the questions we must answer.  

Tuesday, May 9

Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life."  John 6:35

Wednesday, May 10

Lot ordered his servants to bake some bread and prepare a fine meal for the guests. When it was ready, they ate it. Genesis 19:3

PART ONE: The Examen 

Thursday, May 11

I walk in the presence of God, in the light that shines on the living. Psalm 56:13

Friday, May 12

Why are your hearts full of questions? Luke 5:22

SATURDAY, May 13

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

SUNDAY, May 14

God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something. 1 Cor 1:28

MONDAY, May 15

He gives wisdom to the wise and grants knowledge to those with understanding. Daniel 2:21

TUESDAY, May 16

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… Romans 12:6

WEDNESDAY, May 17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

THURSDAY, May 18

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

FRIDAY, May 19

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

PART TWO: Nine Hundred Candles

SATURDAY, May 20

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.” Luke 18:27

SUNDAY, May 21

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” Ecclesiastes 3:1

MONDAY, May 22

Give thanks to God—he is good and his love never quits. 1 Chronicles 16:34

TUESDAY,  May 23

Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the Lord.

Lamentations 3:40

WEDNESDAY, May 24

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1 

THURSDAY, May 25

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5

FRIDAY, May 26

For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” John 6:33

POETRY PIE PRAYERS and WRITING CHALLENGE

 POETRY PIE PRAYERS and 

WRITING CHALLENGE

      My cousin Lorrie is a Writing Instructor who specializes in Haiku as a daily practice.  She has challenged us to write a daily 'piece of poetry pie' for the remainder of the month of April.  I decided to combine my haiku with my daily prayers - especially since I love iterations!  And then...find an appropriate scripture verse!   Only...since I'll be on the road til the first week of May, we'll just keep eating pie until then! 

Monday, April 10

For as long as Earth lasts, planting and harvest, cold and heat, Summer and winter, day and night will never stop.”    Genesis 8:22

Tuesday, April 11

Engage the earth in conversation; it’s happy to share what it knows.   Job 12:8

Wednesday, April 12

But my brothers are fickle as a gulch in the desert – one day they’re gushing with water from melting snow….by midsummer they’re dry, gullies baked dry in the sun. Job 6:15

Thursday, April 13

Does the snow ever melt on the peaks of Lebanon’s mountains? Jeremiah 18:14

Friday, April 14

Let me tell you what God said next. He said, “You’re my son, and today is your birthday. What do you want? Name it. Psalm 2:7 MSG

Saturday, April 15

God placed the stars in the heavenly sky to light up Earth and oversee day and night, to separate light and dark. Genesis 1:17

Sunday, April 16

Time to switch to a strawberry rhubarb pie! 

My chosen people are like a bird attacked from all sides by hawks. Call the wild animals to come and join in the feast! Jeremiah 12:9 GNT

Monday, April 17

So I turned and dedicated my heart to knowing more, to digging deeper, to searching harder for wisdom and the reasons things are as they are. Eccesiastes 7:25 Voice

Tuesday, April 18

Wilderness and desert will sing joyously, the badlands will celebrate and flower – Like the crocus in spring, bursting into blossom, a symphony of song and color. Isaiah 35:2 MSG

Wednesday, April 19

Remove my sin, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.   Psalm 51:7

Thursday, April 20

You hear my voice in the morning; at sunrise I offer my prayer and wait for your answer. Psalm 5:2 GNT

Friday, April 21

How clearly the sky reveals God’s glory! How plainly it shows what he has done! Psalm 19:1 GNT

Week 3 - Time for Chocolate Cream Pie!

Sunday, April 23

The setting sun sets fire to the hilltops, like a metal furnace glowing from the heat. It sends out fiery rays, blinding the eyes with its brightness. Sirach 43:4 GNT 

Monday, April 24

God bless you and keep you, God smile on you and gift you, God look you full in the face and make you prosper. Number 6:24-26

Tuesday, April 25

They’ll build houses and move in. … No more building a house that some outsider takes over. Isaiah 65:21

Wednesday, April 26

For we are partners working together for God, and you are God’s field. You are also God’s building.   1 Cor 3:9 GNT

Thursday, April 27

Neither numbers nor words account for you. Psalm 40:5

Friday, April 28

These words I speak to you are not mere additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundation words, words to build a life on. Luke 6:47 MSG 

Chocolate was good...but time for PEACH PIE! 

Saturday, April 29

Lift your hearts high, O Israel, with abandon, volunteering yourselves with the people—bless God! Judges 5:9 MSG

Sunday, April 30

You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-color in the world.  Matthew 5:14

Monday, May 1

The life of every living thing is in the blood… Leviticus 17:11

Tuesday, May 2

Take notice of the walls and examine the fortresses, so that you may tell the next generation: Psalm 48:13

Wednesday, May 3

May there be peace inside your walls and safety in your palaces.” Psalm 122:7

Thursday, May 4

He is like a man who, in building his house, dug deep and laid the foundation on rock. The river flooded over and hit that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. Luke 6:48

Friday, May 5

I will send you rain at the right time, so that the land will produce crops and the trees will bear fruit. Leviticus 26:4

Saturday, May 6

The king who rules with justice, who rules in obedience to God, is like the sun shining on a cloudless dawn, the sun that makes the grass sparkle after rain.” 2 Samuel 23:4

That's all!  I've been eating too much pie!!