Starter Prayer: Deep peace of the shining stars to you, which stay invisible till darkness falls and discloses their pure and shining presence beaming down in compassion on our turning world. (Celtic Prayer)

Focus Phrase: Honoring Fire

Scripture Reading: Psalm 18:28; John 8:12

Optional Read-along: Water, Wind, Earth and Fire pp. 140b (Conclusion, Section: Honoring the Four Elements, Fire)

Spiritual Direction:

During this journey you explored the impact of fire on your prayer and spiritual life: the fire of illumination, of purification, the invitation to become fire, the living flame of love that burns within and the sky of the sun, moon and stars.

Today, we enter into a guided prayer around these themes.

For prayer practice: Make yourself comfortable near the altar space you created. Relax in your seat. Feel your feet beneath the ground. Breathe deeply, and spend some time in silence. 
       Turn toward the south, the place of the midday sun, the warmth and fullness of the day, and the season of summer. 
       Become conscious of the element of fire. Feel the heat in your own body, the energizing and expanding fire that sustains your life. Imagine the fiery tongues of the Spirit resting on the disciples at Pentecost, and welcome God’s fire and passion into your life this day.
       Notice in your body where you feel the gift of fire, play, warmth, and creativity burning alive. Reflect on the chemical reactions within you own cells and organs that ignite and fuel your energy, life-force, your purpose and possibility.
       Ponder where in your life you feel the gift of fire. Where are you being called to a more passionate response? What sets you aflame with love?
       With the psalmist say: It is you who light my lamp; the Lord, my God, lights up my darkness (Psalm 18).

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.
• Are you receiving the weekly guide every Sunday via email? Register here.
• Join the Orange Dots of Hope Facebook Group for spiritual conversations on the journey.

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].