I used to scoff at people who said they felt closest to God in nature. It’s not that I thought there was anything wrong with nature, exactly. I just thought that real closeness to God was earned through the disciplined acts of prayer, studying Scripture and going to Mass. Those are precious gifts, of course—graces that lead us to God. Yet, the created world was God’s first revelation to us. God poured his truth into the universe even before he created humanity, before he inspired the Scriptures and before Jesus came to dwell among us. Of course God is present in nature, speaking through it, saturating every inch of it with his lavish attention and presence. It is not a path to take instead of others but still yet another precious gift that leads us to him.
Lord Jesus thank you for the beauty of things around us that reflects your presence among us.
Your words Oh Lord are all I have to know truth. Thank You for teaching me your words Amen Amen Amen
Amen amen amen! This has brought me so much closer to god and those around me!
Karla thank you for your reflection and all your comments to this site. Nature and gifts of God's creation. This song I teach my 2nd graders they love to sing. Incidentally I sing it whenever I am driving alone in my car. Gives me time to thank God. Bernadette Farrell Lyrics Thank you, God, for the gift of creation. Thank you, God, for the wonders I see: All around us your love is everywhere. Thank you, God, for giving this world to me. Thank you, God, for the gift of creation. Thank you, God, for the wonders I see: Clouds and sunshine, rainbows and thunderstorms Thank you, God, for giving this world to me. Thank you, God, for the gift of creation. Thank you, God, for the wonders I see: Lakes and rivers, oceans and waterfalls Thank you, God, for giving this world to me. Thank you, God, for the gift of creation. Thank you, God, for the wonders I see: Hills and forests, valleys and mountain tops Thank you, God, for giving this world to me. Thank you, God, for the gift of creation. Thank you, God, for the wonders I see: All around us, your love is everywhere Thank you, God, for giving this world to me. Ken
Thank you God for the wonder of Ken! Plus, he’s not a robot!!!
Ken, what a beautiful song to sing and share. Blessings to all.
Thank you, thank you Karla for your beautiful reflection about the wonders of God’s creation! It seems like prayer comes easily while walking the path of a little park reserve near our home. God gave us this beauty for our benefit and enjoyment. Dear Lord Jesus, thank you and your Father for the opportunity to see you in the glory of your universe.
This is His gift to me this morning: I learn Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem! *** "An acrostic poem is a poem in which the first letter (or sometimes the first syllable) of each line spells out a word, name, or sentence. A good example is Lewis Carroll’s untitled poem, usually called “Life Is but a Dream,” at the end of Through the Looking-Glass. The first letters of the twenty-one lines of this poem spell out Alice Pleasance Liddell, the full name of the young girl who inspired Carroll to write his novels...Psalm 119 is an example of an acrostic or alphabetical poem. This psalm is divided into twenty-two sections, one for each Hebrew letter. Each section has sixteen lines, with that section’s letter appearing at the start of each alternate line. So, for example, the first eight verses contain sixteen lines of poetry, and every other line begins with aleph (א), the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The next section of Psalm 119 comprises verses 9–16, and each verse begins with the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet, beth (ב). *** Psalm 119:130, 143, 158, 160, 162, "When Your Words are made clear, they bring light. They bring understanding to childish people...I’ve had my share of trouble and suffering. But Your commands give me delight...I get very angry when I see people who aren’t faithful to You. They don’t obey Your Word...All Your Words are true. All your laws are right. They last forever...I’m filled with joy because of Your promise. It’s like finding a great fortune." *** My prayer in Psalm 119:169-173, "Lord, may You hear my cry. Give me understanding, just as You said You would. May You hear my prayer. Save me, just as You promised. May my lips pour out praise to You, because You teach me Your orders. May my tongue sing about Your Word, because all Your commands are right. May Your hand be ready to help me, because I have chosen to obey Your rules." ******* Thy Word by Amy Grant https://youtu.be/a6LC8cu03Ig?si=wKuS8OUTF461HvcT
Good morning Living Faith Family. I am asking for prayers for my nephew Dwayne who is celebrating his birthday today.He has been estranged from his Mom,brother,aunt for over a year now .Let him learn to have a forgiving heart and come back to the fold. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen
Dear God, please let Dwayne soften his heart. Let him know his family is human and they love him. Allow all to forgive each other and reunite. Amen.
Prayer to St. Anthony for your family: Strengthen our bonds of family unity when we practice Jesus' teachings of forgiveness, of selfless service, of putting the love of God and the needs of others first in our lives. Give us words and ways to express our affection and respect for all in our family and guide us to work through and resolve all our misunderstandings and disagreements. Amen.
Amen...thank you Karla..I am praying for Dwayne and his family and the pain they are enduring by his absence
Lord Jesus, heal the hurt and the objections of this family and restore them individually and collectively to Yourself so they can be a family again in Your Kingdom! I asked this in Psalm 34:17-18, "Godly people cry out, and the Lord hears them. He saves them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to those whose hearts have been broken. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed!" Amen ✝️
Praying for your nephew Dwayne as he celebrates his Birthday and hoping he realizes how much his family loves him and cares about him. May the Holy Spirit come into his heart and guide him back home.
Eleanor I will pray for Dwayne right now. It's hard being separated from your loved ones. Ken
Karla, Thank you so very much for that beautiful devotional today. I loved the sentence, “ Of course God is present in nature, speaking through it, saturating every inch of it with his lavish attention and presence.” Your words capture the grandure and majesty of God’s creation from the largest peaks to the smallest flowers. All so beautiful and carefully created. We are traveling to be with all of our family for a European River Cruise for Thanksgiving and I am so grateful to have that adventure with them. I am wishing all of you safe travels and quality family time over this beautiful holiday time. Prayers to all those undergoing medical testing and procedures, rehabs and various treatments. May you feel God’s healing presence along that journey. Amen.
Jane what a wonderful way to spend Thanksgiving with family. Please keep us informed of your trip. I am not a robot Ken
Dear Jane, I can’t think of a more exciting way to celebrate Thanksgiving than being with your whole family, in Europe, and on a river cruise on top of it! Have a wonderful time and savor every minute of being together in a gorgeous part of God’s magnificent creation. God bless!
Karla, I am an avid hiker and I truly enjoy being in nature. I say my prayers while hiking and am always amazed how God arranges the plants, trees, and wildlife throughout my paths.
Karla, Thank you for reminding us to appreciate all God has given us. May we continue to draw closer to Him. Vicky G, Thank you for sharing with us your struggles, humor and love of God. May we continue to support one another in prayer. Beth, Praise the Lord that Barb's PET scan was positive. I will continue to prayer for strength to finish her treatments. Jane, Thanks for the beautiful prayer for all who need to be remembered and prayers for Cass. Have a blessed day LFF and may you see the miracles of your day!
To Vicky G from yesterday- thank you for your courage to share. What an inspiration you are to my complaining life! Prayers for your continued battle!
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Lord, please watch over and protect the hospitals and the humanitarian corridors being established in Gaza. Hear our continued prayers for those in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.