Have you ever gone on a God Hunt? A God Hunt begins when you teach yourself to look for God’s hand at work in the everyday occurrences of your life. Here’s one of my personal God Hunt Sightings:
This week Karen is in the Dominican Republic directing a film shoot for Medical Ambassadors International. She would appreciate your prayers as you read these blogs. Filming in another country, on a low budget and without knowing the language can be tricky indeed. Shoot crews are well aware of their need for God’s help. Thank you.
During the Ash Wednesday service, the Episcopal priest in the little stone chapel of St. Mark’s directed us to The Great Litany. “It’s grounding for the soul,” he said, “to read and consider a prayer that was written over 500 years ago.”
The Great Litany goes on for five pages, quite a length for an early Wednesday morning, in addition to the ceremony of the imposition of ashes, which was followed by a traditional Eucharistic service.
The Rector was right: It is grounding to read the words written over 500 years ago. Let me quote just a few of the prayers for those of you who do not have an Episcopal Book of Common Prayer at your fingertips.
“Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forefathers; neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and by the mercy preserve us for ever.
Spare us, good Lord.
“From all evil and wickedness; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; and from everlasting damnation,
Good Lord, deliver us.
“From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity,
Good Lord, deliver us.”
About now, one half-page into the Litany, I have more than I can handle. I am overwhelmed by my need. Last year, I read one of these sections for each of the 50 days of Lent leading up to Easter. Believe me, the work in my life was deep and manifold.
“From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil,
Good Lord, deliver us.
“From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and commandment,
Good Lord, deliver us.
“From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine,
Good Lord, deliver us.
“From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and unprepared,
Good Lord, deliver us.”
Well, we have finished the first page. Quite a bit to meditate on, isn’t it? I agree with the Rector of St. Mark’s: It does our soul good to reflect on the words of a 500-year-old prayer.
I spy God!
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Award-winning author Karen Mains has long had an interest in spiritual formation and the obedient Christian walk. She has written about the God Hunt in her book by the same name, The God Hunt: The Delightful Chase and the Wonder of Being Found. A hardback copy can be ordered from Mainstay Ministries for $10.00 plus $4.95 shipping and handling. Contact Karen at info@mainstayministries.org and she will be happy to autograph a copy for you.
Karen continues to write content for her Christian blog, “Thoughts-by-Karen-Mains.” In so doing, she desires to touch the lives of Christian women and men and help them find ways to walk closer with the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, through silent retreats, spiritual teaching, women’s retreats, Christian vacation opportunities, and other ministry activities, Karen helps each Christian woman and man receive vital spiritual food.
Through her Hungry Souls ministry, Karen serves as a spiritual coach to many Christian women and men, and teaches a mentor-writing class. And, through the Global Bag Project, she is working to develop a network of African women who sew exquisite cloth reusable shopping bags, Africa bags. This micro-finance women opportunity helps provide a much-needed sustainable income for struggling African families. For more information on this critically important project, please click here.
For decades, Karen and her husband, David, have served God through religious communications—radio, television, and print publication. They are the co-authors of the Kingdom Tales Trilogy: Tales of the Kingdom, Tales of the Resistance, and Tales of the Restoration. To find many valuable resources for pastors and congregations at the Mainstay Ministries main website, please click here.
Likewise, pastors will find special resources to help them prepare effective, life-transforming Sunday sermons by visiting David Mains’ website by clicking here.
