Tuesday 11 March 2025 - God's word

Tuesday 11 March 2025

Today is Tuesday the 11th of March in the 1st week of Lent. The University of Johannesburg choir sing a setting of Psalm 42: As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. Today’s reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. The picture we sometimes get of prayer is of us on our own, calling out to heaven – and all too often getting no answer. No wonder so many people find it a chore! Can you think of times when your prayer has felt like this? Lonely? Empty? Dry? The image in this reading is very different – prayer is like being gently rained on so that our soil becomes fertile, our leaves are brought back to life, our thirst quenched… Can you look back to a time when prayer was like that? When you just sat there and let God soak in? When did prayer last leave you with a feeling of being refreshed, moistened, nourished? As you hear the words of Isaiah once again, allow yourself to enjoy the image of God’s word as being like rain – notice what kind of rain most speaks to you of prayer – is it a torrential downpour? Light drizzle? Or something more gentle, more subtle, more intimate… let God draw you into the prayer He is trying to pray in you… Isaiah 55:10-11 For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Turn now to a final few minutes of prayer with the Lord. Just being in his presence is something to relish, something which satisfies the soul. If you find yourself drawn to say something by way of petition or thanksgiving then let that come spontaneously, like water vapour rising back to the skies after a warm day… You have given all to me To you, Lord, I return it Everything is Yours Do with it what You will Give me only Your love and Your grace That is enough for me Amen