LIFE, WORD, LIGHT, DARKNESS
Prayer
Praying On The Journey With Christ
A Commitment To Encounter Christ Through The Gospel Of John
Object:
John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
COMMENTARY
Three times each, the words "Word" and "being" appear in the text above. Twice each, the following words appear: "beginning," "life," "light," and "darkness."
Obviously, John is taking us right to the beginning of "things." God is already there, and no thought is given to the beginning of God, since God has no beginning. No real God could ever have a beginning or an ending. John expects us to understand this naturally. As we enter into prayer over the beginning of every "thing," it is important to know to whom we are talking. At the very least, it is God and the Word, who are one, yet separate and distinct from one another. Both God and Word are referred to as "he," which means that "Word" is something more than what God did or does. The Word is God, and both Word and God are addressed therefore as "he" or "you" in the prayers that follow.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, heavenly Word, speak to me as once you spoke to a void. Out of nothing you called and created everything, by syllables alone. Come, Lord, into this void of myself, and speak to me that I may become your person, and in becoming, bring you joy.
Lord, even as I speak these words I hold back, afraid that you might respond. I am afraid of all that would mean. I am afraid of what you might require of me. I am afraid of what it would do to my life.
There, I've already said it: "MY life." How quickly I've claimed as mine what you've created as your own. How quickly I've seen my life on top of that list of your creations. This is my darkness, Lord, and I confess my darkness to you as sin. Only your life and light can overcome it.
Lord, John's words about the beginning fill me with as many questions as answers. How does the relationship between you as the Word and you as God work? Are my thoughts in word-form acceptable to you, the Word? Already, I hear you saying, "Don't pray like this ... don't try to complicate our communication ... don't philosophize with me."
What, then, Lord, shall I do? Shall I sit and wait for you to speak? Yes, I know that is quite acceptable to you, so help me do it. Help me read about you and then give you time to speak. Help me to be open to your presence, that you may tell me about life, and Word, and light, and darkness.
About life you say, "It is my gift, and I sustain it every moment." Thank you, Lord, for this moment with you. Thank you for all that comes before my mind as additional gifts to the gift of life. Thank you, Lord, for mind and heart, lungs and senses, and friends with the same gifts. Thank you for this moment. All life is of a moment.
About the Word, you say, "He is my presence, always speaking, always talking, but heard only by those quiet enough to listen." Lord, you know that the noises of this world are intense, as are the noises of my own mind. Help me come to quiet that I may hear your still, small voice. Help me discern that the voice is real ... from a being, your being, your presence. Lord, your Word is not an echo of a voice spoken long ago, still rolling about in space, but evidence of your presence with me now ... alive, working, molding, doing.
About the light you say, "I am more than brightness. I am the way to walk, the path of joy, the purpose for your being." Lord, like many others, I claim to want a life of purpose, a life of meaning. Walk with me all day, all night, and help me see the people I meet, and the events that occur, as opportunities to see your light at work.
About the darkness you say, "It is darker than black. It is the power that would swallow you up, if I let it. It is more powerful than your own life, your own will, your own sin. It is a terror more horrible than annihilation, and an enemy more committed than you are to me at this moment." Lord, I know it, and I am sorry. I know that the darkness presses in on me and all others. I can feel him. I am afraid of him ... much more than I am afraid of you, for I know he wants me for evil's sake. I see much evidence of him in my life, and I want him out.
Yes, I hear you say, "Not entirely ... not entirely do I want him out."
Lord, why do I hang on to the darkness within myself so tightly? Why won't I let you have me? Why am I more obsessed with the darkness within me than I am with the darkness of the world? What am I afraid of losing? Am I afraid of the world, too?
Lord, heavenly God, heavenly Word, I recognize that I shall never be all yours if I am left only to my own power to become yours. If possible, gently lead me to yourself; but if gentleness will not accomplish the task, then work with me another way, and give me courage and wisdom to let you.
Finally, Lord, John reminds me that "all things come into being through you." Come into my being, that through your being, through your light, and through your life, and by your Word, I shall not be overcome by darkness. Amen.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
COMMENTARY
Three times each, the words "Word" and "being" appear in the text above. Twice each, the following words appear: "beginning," "life," "light," and "darkness."
Obviously, John is taking us right to the beginning of "things." God is already there, and no thought is given to the beginning of God, since God has no beginning. No real God could ever have a beginning or an ending. John expects us to understand this naturally. As we enter into prayer over the beginning of every "thing," it is important to know to whom we are talking. At the very least, it is God and the Word, who are one, yet separate and distinct from one another. Both God and Word are referred to as "he," which means that "Word" is something more than what God did or does. The Word is God, and both Word and God are addressed therefore as "he" or "you" in the prayers that follow.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, heavenly Word, speak to me as once you spoke to a void. Out of nothing you called and created everything, by syllables alone. Come, Lord, into this void of myself, and speak to me that I may become your person, and in becoming, bring you joy.
Lord, even as I speak these words I hold back, afraid that you might respond. I am afraid of all that would mean. I am afraid of what you might require of me. I am afraid of what it would do to my life.
There, I've already said it: "MY life." How quickly I've claimed as mine what you've created as your own. How quickly I've seen my life on top of that list of your creations. This is my darkness, Lord, and I confess my darkness to you as sin. Only your life and light can overcome it.
Lord, John's words about the beginning fill me with as many questions as answers. How does the relationship between you as the Word and you as God work? Are my thoughts in word-form acceptable to you, the Word? Already, I hear you saying, "Don't pray like this ... don't try to complicate our communication ... don't philosophize with me."
What, then, Lord, shall I do? Shall I sit and wait for you to speak? Yes, I know that is quite acceptable to you, so help me do it. Help me read about you and then give you time to speak. Help me to be open to your presence, that you may tell me about life, and Word, and light, and darkness.
About life you say, "It is my gift, and I sustain it every moment." Thank you, Lord, for this moment with you. Thank you for all that comes before my mind as additional gifts to the gift of life. Thank you, Lord, for mind and heart, lungs and senses, and friends with the same gifts. Thank you for this moment. All life is of a moment.
About the Word, you say, "He is my presence, always speaking, always talking, but heard only by those quiet enough to listen." Lord, you know that the noises of this world are intense, as are the noises of my own mind. Help me come to quiet that I may hear your still, small voice. Help me discern that the voice is real ... from a being, your being, your presence. Lord, your Word is not an echo of a voice spoken long ago, still rolling about in space, but evidence of your presence with me now ... alive, working, molding, doing.
About the light you say, "I am more than brightness. I am the way to walk, the path of joy, the purpose for your being." Lord, like many others, I claim to want a life of purpose, a life of meaning. Walk with me all day, all night, and help me see the people I meet, and the events that occur, as opportunities to see your light at work.
About the darkness you say, "It is darker than black. It is the power that would swallow you up, if I let it. It is more powerful than your own life, your own will, your own sin. It is a terror more horrible than annihilation, and an enemy more committed than you are to me at this moment." Lord, I know it, and I am sorry. I know that the darkness presses in on me and all others. I can feel him. I am afraid of him ... much more than I am afraid of you, for I know he wants me for evil's sake. I see much evidence of him in my life, and I want him out.
Yes, I hear you say, "Not entirely ... not entirely do I want him out."
Lord, why do I hang on to the darkness within myself so tightly? Why won't I let you have me? Why am I more obsessed with the darkness within me than I am with the darkness of the world? What am I afraid of losing? Am I afraid of the world, too?
Lord, heavenly God, heavenly Word, I recognize that I shall never be all yours if I am left only to my own power to become yours. If possible, gently lead me to yourself; but if gentleness will not accomplish the task, then work with me another way, and give me courage and wisdom to let you.
Finally, Lord, John reminds me that "all things come into being through you." Come into my being, that through your being, through your light, and through your life, and by your Word, I shall not be overcome by darkness. Amen.
