Through the rise and fall


(Photo: Irene Bom)
 
 
Here’s a song from my collection, one I wrote almost 20 years ago when some friends were going through a major crisis in their immediate family.

Now, as the whole world is reeling from this pandemic, may the words bring you comfort and these truths keep you anchored to Jesus – the same, yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

 
 

YESTERDAY, TODAY, FOREVER
by Irene Bom

Yesterday, today, forever Jesus is the same
All may change but Jesus never
Glory to His name.

He’s the same through the rise and fall of nations.
He’s the same, whether I believe or doubt.
He’s the same through all the changing seasons,
And His faithfulness and mercy won’t run out.

Yesterday, today, forever …
 

You can find notation for this song here.
For more songs, check out www.irenebom.com/songwriter
 

Thank you. For the sunrise

Benediction

based on Luke 1:78-79

A new day is dawning!
Despite what we see and hear in the world around us,
the sunrise is coming.
When it comes, it will break through the darkness of our world —
darkness caused by violence and death and hunger and despair.
And all those who now sit huddled in the shadows
will be able to rise and walk with confidence in the light.
So go from here with courage and hope,
to love and serve the Lord. Amen.

 
source: re-worship
 

Rise up

 

Here’s a song I’m working on – based on Isaiah 40:31. The song might yet morph into something else. Meanwhile, I hope this version offers you some solace and encouragement.

 

Those who hope in the Lord (version 13-04-2020)
by Irene Bom

Those who hope in the Lord
shall renew their strength
They shall rise up like eagles.
They shall run and not grow weary
They shall walk and not faint
They shall rise up like eagles.
 

Did you know?

The ancients gave the symbol of the eagle to John’s gospel, for his writings help us to ‘rise up with wings as eagles’, glimpse things of heaven and hear what is God’s heart for us and for the world.

source: northumbriacommunity.org
 

St Patrick’s Breastplate embodied

This is an embodied prayer based on St Patrick’s Breastplate – a prayer of protection from the 5th century. It’s adapted from the kneeling version featured in Sue Wallace’s book, Multi-Sensory Prayer.

I commend it as a spiritual practice, especially when you feel overwhelmed.

St Patrick’s Breastplate

Christ be with me
Christ before me
Christ behind me
Christ within me

Christ beneath me
Christ above me
Christ on my right side
Christ on my left side

Christ in quiet
Christ in danger
Christ in the mouth
of a friend or a stranger
 

See also the blogpost, Circle me, Lord.
 

Turn to the light


Rotterdam at twilight  (Photo: Irene Bom)

 

Here is a prayer inspired by Phos Hilaron — the earliest Christian hymn (outside of the Bible), dating from the 3rd or 4th century. Known as the “Lamp-lighting hymn,” it was traditionally sung as the evening lamps were lit.
 
May this prayer, inspired by those ancient words, give us words and inspiration as we to turn to God, our Gladsome Light, especially “in times of stress, fear, and grief, in times of blindness, temptation, danger, and perdition”.

 
 

Twenty-first Century Phos Hilaron

O God, who is light in the darkness,
      we pray for those among us who in the night hours work their shifts,
            or those who labor in places where light is dim.
Be for them and for us protection in the dark.

O God, who is the bright morning star,
      we pray for those among us who grieve the loss of loved ones,
            the tarnishing of innocence,
            the failing of health,
            the flight of security.
Be for them and for us a sure defense and the promise of a new day.

O God, who is sight to the blind,
      we pray for those among us whose eyes are clouded,
      who are blind in soul, mind, or body.
Be for them and for us both courage and sight.

O God, who is strength to the besieged,
      we pray for those among us who are beset by temptation,
            those who are in danger,
            those whose enemies are close and whose help seems far away.
Be for them and for us a present fortress against our foes.

O God, who is salvation to the lost,
      we pray for those among us who have never found your way,
            or who, having found it, have strayed from your path.
Be for them and for us the beacon that guides safely home.

O God who is comfort to the fearful,
      we pray for those among us who live in fear of threats real or imagined,
            whose lives are torn by war,
            whose thoughts are confused by mental illness,
            whose souls and bodies are ravaged by abuse.
Be for them and for us consolation and surety against anxiety.

Give us wisdom, O God, to turn to you in times of stress, fear, and grief,
      in times of blindness, temptation, danger, and perdition.
Grant us patience to wait for you,
      and courage to be strong in your might,
            through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 
~ posted on the Brummhart Publishing website
 

Phos Hilaron in word and song

 

Circling the globe

WHO website article on corona virus

 

With the corona virus circling the globe, causing such havoc and loss of life, here’s a prayer in song form that I hope will minister to you.

 
 

IN THE STILLNESS

by Irene Bom

VERSE 1
In the stillness, search my heart, O God
Help me turn and mend my ways
In the stillness, come, Lord, come
set my heart ablaze

VERSE 2
In the stillness, help me hear your voice
Tend my faith, so it may grow                          (revised)
In the stillness, come, Lord, come
feed my hungry soul

VERSE 3
In the stillness, shape my heart for love
Give me hope when things go wrong
In the stillness, come, Lord, come
be my strength, my song
 

This song was written as my March entry for the 12 song challenge organised by RESOUNDworship.org

 

 
FROM THE BLOG

Circle me, Lord
a firm favourite

3 Prayers for endings and beginnings
for a time such as this – the end of an era

Theme: Shelter under His wings
[prayer sheet]
 

Turn away towards


Crossing Border festival, The Hague, a few years ago  (Photo: Irene Bom)
 
 

A reflection inspired by Jesus’ words, “pick up your cross and follow me”.

 

Hear the invitation of Jesus:

If any of you want to be My follower,
you must turn away from your selfish ways,
from the things you think you want and need.
You must pick up your cross and follow Me.
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it.
But if you give up your life for my sake,
you will save it.

 

What is it you need to turn away from
in order to follow Jesus more closely?

(time of silent reflection)
 

Are there things you may need to give up
in order to follow Jesus more closely?

(time of silent reflection)
 

What do you hear Jesus calling you to do?

(time of silent reflection)
 

from re-worship.blogspot.com, inspired by Matthew 16:21-28

From the blog
Turn, pilgrim
Precious dust
The wells of salvation
 

Re-turn


(Photo: Irene Bom)
 

Call to Worship

based on Joel 2:12-13

“Even now,” declares the LORD,
“return to me with all your heart,
with fasting and weeping and mourning.
Rend your hearts, and not your garments.”
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and filled with compassion and love.
 

source: re:worship
 

 
Going deeper
The book of Joel from a millenial perspective
 

“A Good Night’s Sleep” inspirations

 

Do not try to cover more than one good day’s journey at a time.

Ann Siddal, from #15

 

In July/August 2019 I decided it was time to address my struggle to go to bed on time, and I foraged for Bible verses and prayers to help me turn over a new leaf, writing them up in a little booklet I made.

My struggles also inspired a song to share with a group of creatives who might also be trying to do too much and regularly miss out on the benefits of A Good Night’s Sleep. (Follow the link for the lyrics and a recording).

I’m still struggling to go to bed on time, but during this Lenten season I hope to make it my daily practice, drawing on my collection of Bible verses and prayers for inspiration, and maybe adding a few more entries.

I share this resource with you, aware that our struggles with sleep may have different causes but a good night’s sleep will benefit us all.

 
Please feel free to share your own inspirations in the comments.
 

#1

We can rest,
we can sleep,
we can say no to this activity or that invitation,
we can quit the exhausting work of trying to sustain ourselves,
because You never slumber or sleep.
You are faithful always.

O my soul, praise the Lord.

~ by Grace Olsen Claus, posted on re:worship (excerpt)

#2

I lie down and sleep;
I wake again,
because the Lord sustains me.

~ Psalm 3:5

#3

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, Lord,
make me dwell in safety.

~ Psalm 4:8

#4

In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat –
for he grants sleep to those he loves.

~ Psalm 127:2

#5

My soul finds rest in God

~ Psalm 62:5

#6

May the favour of the Lord our God rest on us;
establish the work of our hands for us –
yes, establish the work of our hands.

~ Psalm 90:17

#7

All the lands are at rest and at peace;
they break into singing.

~ Isaiah 14:7

#8

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

~ Psalm 91:1

#9

Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.

~ Psalm 116:7

#10

This is the resting-place,
let the weary rest –
this is the place of repose – listen.

~ Isaiah 28:12 (adapted)

#11

In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength.

~ Isaiah 30:15

#12

I am saying this for your own good,
not to restrict you,
but that you may live in a right way
in undivided devotion to the Lord.

~ 1 Corinthians 7:35 (taken out of context, but still valid)

#13

There will be no rest day or night
for those who worship the beast and its image …

~ Revelation 14:11

#14

Lord, you put twenty-four hours in a day,
and gave me a body which gets tired and can only do so much.
Show me which tasks you want me to do,
and help me live prayerfully, as I do them.
Sharpen my senses that I may truly
    see what I am looking at,
    taste what I am eating,
    listen to what I am hearing,
    face what I am suffering,
    celebrate the ways I am loved,
    and offer you whatever I am doing,
so that the water of the present moment
    may be turned into wine.

~ by Angela Ashwin, from The Book of a Thousand Prayers, #262

#15

In the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims, go now …
Consider how you may simplify your days,
so that you may travel lightly.
Be alert to all that could side-track you:
notice that which beckons alluringly,
or with apparently greater urgency,
than the pilgrim journey Christ invites.
Do not try to cover
more than one good day’s journey at a time.
Know when to stop for food and sleep,
so that the journey will not be too great for you.
Walk humbly, knowing that the goal
is not recognition, achievement or reward,
but simply to have come to know Christ
and yourself more intimately.
Be on the lookout for other pilgrims,
caring for those who limp, or fall;
those who cannot see the way forward:
pilgrimage is richer in community.
Go now: place your hand
into the outstretched hand of Jesus Christ,
allow the words of the story to guide you,
and pray for purity of heart and mind. Amen.

~ by Ann Siddall, posted on re:worship (adapted)

#16

God with us in our restlessness and wakefullness,
    give us your rest.
God with us in our sleep and calm,
    give us vision of newness.

~ by Meredith Holladay, posted on re:worship (extract)
 

Evening prayer #3


Coolhaven, Rotterdam  (Photo: Irene Bom)

 

“- Night is drawing nigh -”
For all that has been – Thanks!
For all that shall be – Yes!

 

by Dag Hammarskjöld, from Markings, p. 89
 

More of/on Dag Hammarskjöld

dag-hammarskjold.net
Desiring Peace: A Meditation on Dag Hammarskjöld, by Roger Lipsey
Dag Hammarskjöld (westernmystics website)
A Reader’s Guide to Dag Hammarskjöld’s Waymarks