{"id":7290,"date":"2019-07-05T11:41:42","date_gmt":"2019-07-05T09:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=7290"},"modified":"2019-07-05T11:41:42","modified_gmt":"2019-07-05T09:41:42","slug":"bend-down-low","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2019\/07\/05\/bend-down-low\/","title":{"rendered":"Bend down low"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\nArtwork, Gorinchem Museum  (Photo: Irene Bom)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Our theme for July is EMBRACE. <\/p>\n

May you know the embrace of God today, and draw others into the circle of embrace by your prayers and by acts of loving kindness.<\/p><\/div>\n\n

A Prayer for Others<\/h3>\n

Lord Jesus Christ,
\nwhen you walked on dusty roads
\nor sat by glistening waters,
\nyou met people where they were.<\/p>\n

When you bent down low
\nto touch the leper,
\nor raised your eyes to touch Zacchaeus\u2019 heart,
\nheaven and earth were met.<\/p>\n

And so our prayer today is that our world will know
\nyour healing touch
\nand your forgiving heart.<\/p>\n

That those who have been hurt
\nby insincere actions
\nand damning words
\nwill hear your healing voice.<\/p>\n

That those whose lives are filled with dark thoughts,
\nor unimaginable fears,
\nwill know your peace.<\/p>\n

Walk beside those who are close to giving up hope
\nand where life seems to have no point;
\nwhere people struggle to make ends meet
\nand fear the bailiffs\u2019 knock on the door.<\/p>\n

May children living in sewers
\nor tending AIDS-racked parents
\nfeel the touch of a caring hand
\nand an end to injustice and fear.<\/p>\n

And may all who weep and mourn,
\nor feel abandoned and unloved
\nturn towards your voice,
\nmove towards your arms
\nand hear the whisper of your presence
\nin the long hours of night.<\/p>\n

Inspire us and encourage us to bend down low;
\nto embrace those for whom society has no time or patience.<\/p>\n

Raise our eyes upwards to see the struggling patient
\nand the exhausted care giver.<\/p>\n

And where young and old stumble and fall,
\nmay we be there to offer support,
\nthat all will know your love that transcends all others.<\/p>\n

Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.
\nAmen.<\/p>\n

 
\n\u2014 written by Reverend Eleanor Macalister<\/strong>, and originally posted on the Church of Scotland\u2019s Starters for Sunday website. Reposted on re:worship<\/a>
\n <\/p>\n\n

 
\nFrom the blog<\/strong>
\nPrayer sheet: Good shepherd<\/a>
\nBlessed assurance<\/a>
\nPrepare a way<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Artwork, Gorinchem Museum  (Photo: Irene Bom)   Our theme for July is EMBRACE. May you know the embrace of God today, and draw others into the circle of embrace by your prayers and by acts of loving kindness. 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I welcome everything that comes to me in this moment, because I know it is for my healing. I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions. I let go of my desire for security. I let go of my desire for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/embrace_definition.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/embrace_definition.png?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/embrace_definition.png?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7887,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2019\/07\/24\/guest-post-reflections-on-the-word-embrace\/","url_meta":{"origin":7290,"position":1},"title":"Guest post: Reflections on the word ’embrace’","author":"Joanne Evans-Boiten","date":"July 24, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"\"to love and to cherish\" by Ian Evans-Boiten \u00a0 (Photo by Willem Wilstra) \u00a0 On the Feast of Pentecost 2019 I (Irene) was privileged to take part in the dedication service of a Christian retreat in the south of France, Colomba le Roc. Located a few kilometers from the pilgrimage\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/to_love_and_to_cherish_ian_evans_big.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/to_love_and_to_cherish_ian_evans_big.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/to_love_and_to_cherish_ian_evans_big.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/to_love_and_to_cherish_ian_evans_big.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12918,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2022\/05\/01\/in-the-school-of-prayer-with-terry-hinks\/","url_meta":{"origin":7290,"position":2},"title":"In the school of prayer with Terry Hinks","author":"Irene Bom","date":"May 1, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Here are some extracts on the topic of prayer by Terry Hinks from his introduction to Luke's Gospel in God's Embrace: Praying with Luke. \u00a0 \u00a0 I've also included the prayer inspired by his reflections on the disciples' request in Luke 11:1, 'Lord, teach us to pray'. \u00a0 I\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/blooming_tree_pink.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/blooming_tree_pink.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/blooming_tree_pink.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/blooming_tree_pink.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16341,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2025\/05\/26\/on-my-mind\/","url_meta":{"origin":7290,"position":3},"title":"On my mind","author":"Irene Bom","date":"May 26, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Philip Roth: \"make the daily connections\" \u00a0(Artwork: Irene Bom) \u00a0 \u00a0 UPON RANDOMLY THINKING OF ANOTHER PERSON God, as I hold ____________ a moment in my thoughts, I ask that you would hold them eternally in yours, remaining ever at work in their heart and life, even now directing their\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/make_the_daily_connections_philip_roth.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/make_the_daily_connections_philip_roth.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/make_the_daily_connections_philip_roth.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/make_the_daily_connections_philip_roth.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10934,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2021\/02\/26\/broken-spirit-sacrifice\/","url_meta":{"origin":7290,"position":4},"title":"Broken spirit sacrifice","author":"Irene Bom","date":"February 26, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Bridge railings reflected \u00a0(Photo: Irene Bom) \u00a0 Psalm 51:16-17 invites us to pray, to sigh, to sing: You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0a broken and contrite heart \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "poetry"","block_context":{"text":"poetry","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/poetry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/bridge_shadows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/bridge_shadows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/bridge_shadows.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/bridge_shadows.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":9744,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2020\/06\/14\/make-space-release-and-receive\/","url_meta":{"origin":7290,"position":5},"title":"Make space: release and receive","author":"Irene Bom","date":"June 14, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Schouwburgplein, Rotterdam, after the rain (Photo: Irene Bom) \u00a0 An evening prayer Gracious God, We place ourselves in your presence. Our minds and our spirits are cluttered. Help us make space for you. Help us to be fully present here, now. We release to you all that we have done\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/schouwburgplein_after_the_rain.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/schouwburgplein_after_the_rain.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/schouwburgplein_after_the_rain.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/schouwburgplein_after_the_rain.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Irene Bom","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/irenebom-com\/"},"rttpg_comment":2,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Artwork, Gorinchem Museum  (Photo: Irene Bom)   Our theme for July is EMBRACE. May you know the embrace of God today, and draw others into the circle of embrace by your prayers and by acts of loving kindness. A Prayer for Others Lord Jesus Christ, when you walked on dusty roads or sat by glistening…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7290"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7290\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}