Starter Prayer: Spirit of Baptism, may I receive anew each day the joys of blessing, cleansing and renewal that are made known to me through the great gift of water.

Focus Phrase: Baptism

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-4; John 3:5; Mark 1:9-11

Optional Read-along: Water, Wind, Earth and Fire pp. 95b-102 (Chapter Two: Sister Water, Section: Baptism and Blessing.)

Spiritual Direction:

I was baptized as a baby in the Catholic Church and attended Catholic catechism as a child. Last week, I attended a funeral mass at a Catholic Church. On the way out of the sanctuary, I made my way to the Font of Holy Waters, touched the water, and touched my forehead in an action of blessing. I’ve always appreciated the presence of water in a worship space. During our journey this week, I have been especially attuned to the blessing of water and found the water blessing at the church even more meaningful than usual. The next day, I was down at the Big Thompson river sitting on my “meditation rock”. I did the same thing– dipped my hand in the water and remembered the blessing of water.

For reflection: How might you bring the spirit of blessing and baptism into more that you do each day? Is there a place of sacred water near you where you could spend more time? What does the sacrament of baptism mean for you? How is water a source of cleansing and renewal for you?

For prayer practice: Fill a ceramic or glass bowl– something that compliments the qualities of water for you. Begin your prayer time by dipping your fingers and blessing yourself. Remember how water supports your body and covers the earth. Saver this great gift of water. Offer prayers for those who are suffering from drought or lack of clean water. Offer prayers for cleansing and renewal and surrender to the flow of the Spirit in the day ahead. 

Every time you turn on the faucet, honor the blessing of water with an attitude of conservation and gratitude.

Be encouraged in your practice,

Katie Martinez

Endnotes

• For daily texts with the Focus Word, Starter Prayer and link to these daily posts, text the word “journey” to 970-500-0970.
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This daily devotion is part of the Summer Growth Journey: Learning to Pray with Nature with Crossroads Church. Many of us are also reading through Water, Wind, Earth & Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements by Christine Valters Paintner. To purchase a copy, or for more information, email us at [email protected].