Candle Liturgy

With the busy and often stressful Holiday season upon us I thought it might be helpful to share a very simple, yet powerful prayer liturgy to help you relax and get centered in the midst of all the hustle and bustle. All you need is a candle, matches/lighter and a quiet space to yourself.

Start off simply by thinking about all the things that might be stressing you out (you are probably already doing this anyway). Think about all the people you need to see, places you need to go and things that have to get done. But only think about it briefly, as in a couple of minutes at the most. Don't let it overwhelm you!

As you are thinking about all these things light the candle.

This is your Philippians 4:6 candle.

 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Once you light the candle imagine that the flame is climbing upward toward God and taking all of the concerns you were just thinking about with it. Don't think about those things anymore! For the rest of the liturgy you have to push them out of your mind. Know that even as you are not thinking about them the small flame is presenting them to God for you and that He is taking care of you. God can handle all your stressors, even when you can't.

Now simply breathe.

Take a deep inhale,

then a deep a exhale.

In the Greek, Hebrew, and almost every other ancient language the word for "Spirit" and the word for "breath" are the same.

Consider this reading Job 32:8.
"But it is the breath in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding."

If you want to understand God, contemplate on breathing.

It is a truly beautiful thing.

As you inhale you are being filled with God - all His grace, love and kindness.

As you exhale you are overflowing with God's breath. His grace, love and kindness are so plentiful that they spill out of you and effect everything and everyone around you.

In closing thank God for his grace, love and kindness and pray that your life will overflow with these things.

Then as you put out the candle thank God that your worries and concerns are being taken care of even when you are not concentrating on them. Ask him to help you remember that as you enjoy the Holiday season.

Happy Holidays,

Grace & Peace