Prayer Offered for January 18, 2024

Gracious God, be with us as we glance in awe at the wonders of our world, those wonders Mary Oliver calls the mysteries. She says:

Truly, we live with mysteries too marvelous to be understood.

How grass can be nourishing in the mouths of the lambs.

How rivers and stones are forever in allegiance with gravity, while we ourselves dream of rising.

How two hands touch, and the bonds will never be broken.

How people come from delight or the scars of damage, to the comfort of a poem [or a prayer].

So let us keep our distance, always, from those who think they have the answers.

Let us keep company always with those who say “Look!” and laugh in astonishment and bow their heads.—AMEN.

_{("Mysteries, Yes" by Mary Oliver)}