Living Water

As we move deeper into the season of Spring, I wanted to share this moving prayer, which is being used for the Season of Creation 2026. This year's theme is based on "The Living Water" (Ezekiel 47) and it is a timely reminder for us to honour what God has entrusted into our care. 

Living Water

Holy God, whose Spirit hovered over the waters at the beginning, we gather as part of your community of all creation, thirsty for your grace. We give thanks for the gift of water, the veins of our common home, that sustains the cedar and the whale, the pasture and the city. We are grateful for the local waters that nourish our homelands and our fellow creatures. We give thanks that in your well-watered garden, every drop is a sacred testament to your love.

Yet, we confess that we have treated this gift as a mere commodity. We have choked the seas with our waste and watched the warming tides rise in judgment. We lament the cracked earth of the drought-stricken and the salty tears of the climate refugee. Melt our frozen hearts, O God, and let the waters of repentance flow.

Lord of all Life, you promised that wherever the river flows, everything shall live. Stir in us a calling to care for the waters — to protect the watershed, defend the rights of water, and honor the dignity of the thirsty. May your Word be a spring within us, gushing forth for the healing of the nations.

May God our Father who brought water from the rock sustain us in the desert. May Christ our Lord who is Living Water refresh us for the work of restoration. And may the Holy Spirit carry us on currents of grace until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amen.

If you are interested in the Season of Creation, you can find all their resources on this website.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Leaving an amazing legacy

If we had the chance to write our own obituary, I am not sure we could compete with words written about Hezekiah. This is what the Bible records about his life and legacy: 

"Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after his time." - 2 Kings 18:5

This is some testimony. Bearing in mind the long list of kings recorded in the books of Kings, as well as in the Genealogies of Jesus, this is a massive compliment. Hezekiah will be remembered for his influence in bringing about religious reforms in Jerusalem and for being faithful to the Lord. 

Another of his impressive achievements (we believe) was to champion the building of a tunnel carrying water into Jerusalem. This was to prevent the Assyrian invaders from having access to the water. The tunnel was carved out of rock, carrying water from the Gihon Spring into the pool of Siloam. We have had the privilege of walking through this tunnel, and it is very impressive indeed. 

As an ancestor of Hezekiah, we remember that Jesus is the Living Water - he brings refreshing 'spiritual' water to all who are thirsty. 

"Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’ - John 7:38

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Like wineskins in the smoke

"Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees." (Psalm 119:83)

This is such an interesting image to contemplate. 

Perhaps we can't relate to the habit of carrying our water/wine in wineskins anymore, but we can still picture the practise of the Israelites doing this. When the Psalmist uses this simile, he refers to the idea of an empty container that has shrivelled up through contact with smoke in the home. 

And this is how many people feel at the moment, especially as regards their spiritual and emotional lives. We feel as if we are empty - and that our lives are shrivelled/dried up by the constant demands of the world around us. 

Thankfully, there is some good news. When we feel like this, we must remember the words of the Lord and turn our eyes to Jesus. As we allow the 'Living Water' to fill us, so our hearts will be revived, and we will be able to face the challenges of a new day.

John 7:38 - Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

All is not as it seems

Sometimes I search for words to try and explain things, but they just don't seem to come out as clearly as I would like. Today's post includes the ancient words of Saint Gregory, which seem to help me understand the work of Christ in a simple, yet comprehensive way. I am grateful for his words and I pray that they may also offer you some grace today.

"He began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest. Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death." - Gregory of Nazianzus, A.D. 381.

Are there any particular words from this piece of writing that stick with you today?

Living in Grace

D3LM3