Starter Prayer: Holy God, give me strength and confidence like a mountain! And help me follow the example of Jesus who went into the mountains to pray.

Focus Phrase: Holy Mountain

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 55:12

Optional Read-along: Water, Wind, Earth and Fire pp. 111b-116a  (Chapter Three: Sister Earth, Section: Holy Mountain.)

Spiritual Direction:

My dad and step mom live on a small ranch near Salmon, Idaho. They border national forest, and from their home I can climb to the continental divide, which is also the Montana border. Also, one can walk to the headwaters of the Columbia River where Sacajewea led the Lewis and Clark expedition. Dave and I love to spend time in this historic area of the Rockies. 

We also live in our own hunk of mountain-heaven, here on the Front Range of Colorado. Then there are the Absaroka Mountains in northern Wyo where my brother lives. Dave’s mother was born and raised in Bavaria, and we’ve had the joy of touring the Alps. My sister’s family lives in the San Juan Mountains. I could write for a lifetime about my love of mountains. I bet you could too! Everyone loves mountains, because mountains remind us of God.

From Christine Valters Paintner: In scripture, mountains and hills are referred to more often than any other geographical feature. Noah’s ark came to rest on a mountain; God tested Abraham on a mountain; Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives to pray. Mountains stretch our imaginations upward in celebration of a transcendent God who creates with such glory and majesty.

For reflection: What is the closest holy mountain (or even hill) to where you live? What does it say to you about the nature of God? What have been some of your own summit experiences?

For prayer practice: Take a hike! And as you walk, talk to your Parent God as Jesus did in the mountains. When you reach the top of whatever hill you are climbing, give praise to God for God’s strength and the similar strength God has given you to live a life of faith. If you don’t have the ability to hike, take a mountain drive. 

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].