O God of the Ineffable Name, the Great I AM, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

           You are a God who hides himself -- for our protection since human flesh is not capable of looking on your face and surviving. But because you want us to know you, you continuously reveal yourself in Creation. The changing colors of the clouds, the thunder of waterfalls and the multitude of stars have shouted your name since the beginning of time.

We hear you in the whisper of  breeze in the trees. Sense your presence in the sweet incense of cherry blossoms. We long for you even if we don’t know what we’re longing for. Even when we simply feel the emptiness of separation because we’re focusing on wrong desires and striving to meet our own needs instead of asking you to meet our needs.

Come fill us with the flow of you love, Holy Spirit. Help us know you are always available and waiting for us to call out to you. Show us how to quiet our hearts and trust you to handle things we can’t handle. Pry our fingers loose from control of our own lives and those around us. Teach us to empty ourselves of self-effort and open ourselves to you so you can heal us in mysterious ways we don’t understand. Give us your peace that passes beyond understanding. Remind us that when we don’t have words to express our deep ache, your Spirit prays for us with groanings too deep for words – and you hear. And answer.

We praise your holy name and thank you for your faithful love! Amen.

Supporting verses taken from the ESV Bible:

“Truly, you are a God who hides himself.” Isaiah 45:15

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1

“But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within.” Psalm 131:2

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26, 27

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