Wednesday, November 28, 2012


A PRAYER FOR THIRD ADVENT(NT)

Luke 3:15-18 (NIT)

15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them.


We didn't mind the water, John
It cleansed us
Made us feel better
Washed away our sins and shortcomings

The water was fresh...clean...refreshing
We danced in the water
splashed each other
laughed and played in the Jordan

We were alive and happy
We felt part of a family...a group...a movement
Danger was far away
Your baptism brought us together
where no harm could touch us

Now you proclaim another baptism
A baptism of  the Holy Spirit and fire.
No more water
The fire next time

A fire that will burn us
Igniting and blazing and consuming us
all that we are and all that we have
absorbing everything and everyone

Will our souls be singed
Our spirits be kindled in ways
that will frighten and scar us
Shaping us in new and terrible ways

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

It's his baptism, isn't it John
The One who is coming
The One
Jesus Christ, The Lord

His baptism of fire
will set us ablaze
to be a beacon in a world shrouded in darkness
a candle of joy amongst sadness and depression
a torch for peace amidst the slaughter of the innocent

A baptism that gathers
Brings together all who proclaim the Good News
of love and forgiveness
justice and wholeness

A baptism that separates
Winnows out all who demand control
Who practice selfishness and apathy
tyranny and violence

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

O Lord of the Baptism
Come, we pray
Drench us with the Spirit and the fire
So that we may be your candles in the windows of the world
that it may see your life and your words
In our lives.

Amen

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