This one of the shortest prayers I have ever come across and is often used at the beginning of the Godly Play session. The storyteller seated at the front of the circle of children/adults begins by placing their hands to the heart’s centre and saying the words ‘I am here…’, then the hands are lifted to the Heavens and the words ‘You are here…’ are said acknowledging God’s deep Presence with us and within us and the last gesture is done by bringing the hands down and circling them around saying ‘We are here…’.
Sometimes this is repeated again to allow the words and gestures to sink a little deeper.
I invite you to try this now even if you are on your own!
Take few nourishing breaths in and out allowing Gratitude for the Gift of Life and this Present Moment to bring you into God’s Presence and just say quietly: ‘I AM HERE… YOU ARE HERE… WE ARE HERE…’. Repeat it until you slow right down…
Notice what has changed? Notice how you are feeling? Notice what the Lord is saying to you at this moment in your Life.
Allow this to take a dignified place in your heart, body and mind.
YOU ARE PRAYING… This profound interconnectedness within us and around us and through us is invisible to the plain eye, yet felt and lived by us in the Lord – the Creator, the Redeemer and the Sustainer.
‘You are among us, Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!’, – Jeremiah 14:9
This verse stayed with me as I read it last night in prayer. I am here and you are among us, Lord! We are here and you are among us, Lord! We bear Your Name. YOU ARE HERE! I am never ever alone. I never walk on my own.
I choose to come back to that again and again. I choose to remember that the Lord is with me ALWAYS gazing lovingly, waiting to be seen in Others, in the Events of everyday, in the smallest and most insignificant circumstances. I choose to let go again and again and to surrender to GOD. Gently and quietly JOY & Peace returns, descends. I give thanks and praise!
As I look at the changing nature this time of the Year, I wonder what it teaches me, what story it tells through this never-failing ability to let go of colour, warmth, light… I wonder what part of the story of nature I haven’t heard as yet and maybe did not notice.
I wonder what is that I may need to let go and place into the awaiting hands of GOD? What can I finally entrust to HIM naming my hidden and sometimes very subtle struggles, fears, anxieties.
I wonder if the trees can stand almost naked for months facing changes of weather, can I take few more layers off of what does not serve me anymore, what burdens me and stand tall and strong as inner changes take place and I become freer of heavy burdens.
As I sat in prayer for some time now listening and observing where the Holy Spirit may be moving me in this reflection, I saw a call coming through. Since I noticed it even on my phone being on silence, I took it as a sign and answered.
I heard Cynthia’s voice saying with tears: ‘I’m so lonely, Saule… I don’t know what to do!..’
There was not much I could say to that (or maybe I could?), but I felt that the Lord listened with me and through me. I simply said: ‘Thank you for calling me… You are not alone, my Dear! God wants you to know that you can trust His Presence in your life!..’
Maybe this was all she needed to hear as she thanked me and asked to come to her to pray together next week. Struggling herself she asked about her Friend of old whom I speak to regularly and sounded relieved to hear that she is doing well and is well looked after in the care home.
‘You are among us, Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!’, – Jeremiah 14:9
I wonder if the Lord desires us all to do more for one another to reveal His Loving Presence?
I AM HERE! YOU ARE HERE! WE ARE HERE!
LORD, OUR GOD, I GIVE THANKS FOR NEVER FORSAKING US!
Saule Cameron is married to Ewen and they live in Athy, Co. Kildare with their two grown up daughters Rebeka and Catriona. Saule is working as a Parish Pastoral Worker with Dublin Diocese in Jobstown parish and is also a Godly Play trainer.
