Pentecost: A Breathing Space

Fire

What makes a fire burnis space between the logs,a breathing space.Too much of a good thing,too many logspacked in too tightcan douse the flamesalmost as surelyas a pail of water would.

So building firesrequires attentionto the spaces in between,as much as to the wood.When we are able to buildopen spacesin the same waywe have learnedto pile on the logs,then we can come to see howit is fuel, and absence of the fueltogether, that make fire possible.We only need to lay a loglightly from time to time.A firegrowssimply because the space is there,with openingsin which the flamethat knows just how it wants to burncan find its way.~ Judy Brown ~

• Light a candle to remember Christ's presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
• Allow the warmth of the sun to shine upon your face.  
• As you embrace the warmth, allow it to move through your body.
• As you remember Pentecost today, allow the warmth to become the fire of the Holy Spirit.
• The fire needs space to grow.
• Where do you need to make space for the fire to blaze?
• What needs to be moved?  What needs to be kindled?  What needs to be opened?
• Or do you need more logs?
• Consider how the Spirit is moving and growing in you.
• How do you respond?
• Consider again your breath. 
•  How does the breath of God create breathing space within you?
• How does the breath of God create breathing space in creation?
• How does the breath of God create breathing space in the world?
• What is God's message for you?
• Is there a call to action?
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received. Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, May 27, 2012, the Day of Pentecost Year BActs 2:1-21Ezekiel 37:1-14Psalm 104:24-34,35bRomans 8:22-27John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author. Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD.