JMJ
Introduction • New Creation • Who You Say I Am
Introduction
I wrote these two prayers while on a Come & See retreat with the Jesuits. This was an extremely mystical experience thanks to God and my intentional desire to use the retreat to ‘Seek the Face of God.’
During our day of silence, I was sitting in the kitchen contemplating the fullest extent of the love of God when I felt called to pull out a piece of paper, fold it into three sections, and begin writing. The front page was a title page, “Synthesis and Hope to a Dying Man”. A thought experiment and these prayers filled the remainder of the folds.
I knew when I wrote the title that it referred to mankind and our mortality (memento mori). However, doubt crept in as I reviewed the written document, and I became convinced this referred to my own death, which must be coming very soon…
I became physically weak throughout my body, developed a fever, grew nauseated, and had difficulty standing up from my chair. I stumbled slowly to my room and collapsed into bed, feeling despair. I knew I was going to die then in that bed. Prepared to fall asleep for good, I mentally said my goodbyes and accepted my fate.
Then the room became brightly lit with natural light from the large window. I remembered the true meaning of the title and realized the error in my thinking and this rapid descent into despair. Knowing my flawed thinking and filled with confidence in God’s providence keeping me alive at least somewhat longer, I was filled with renewed life.
My fever broke and my gut was freed from nausea. I leapt out of bed renewed with energy, which moments earlier had seemed unthinkable.”
These prayers remain a powerful reminder that faith, hope, and love are more than philosophical pleasantries – they are powerful forces evidencing the active presence of the Holy Spirit and our cooperation with God’s grace.
Introduction • New Creation • Who You Say I Am
New Creation describes the surrendering of one’s broken and worldly willpower, asking God for it to be consumed and replaced by the Holy Spirit.
New Creation
Lord, I am your creature. Create in me a new creation.
Create in me a creature more fully in your image.
Instill in your new creature more of your love, truth, mercy, and grace.
Replace in your old creature the pride, greed, anger, sloth, gluttony, lust, and envy fully with your light.
Name this creature the Holy Spirit.
Lord, may your creature containing this Holy Spirit hold fast and remain true to the Spirit’s counsel. May your creature honor each and every one of its requirements.
And when your creature falls short of your glory, may he also return with proper speed, diligence, and perseverance.
May your creature always remember, never forget, and remain always and forever mindful of this your Holy Spirit.
May this Spirit drive your creature to good deeds outside joyful thoughts and imaginary virtues.
May your creature pursue in your Spirit the holiness and salvation of all fully in your loving grace.
And, Lord, finally, may your creature make choices, take actions, receive blessings, and embrace sufferings fully in your eternal love.
Amen.
Introduction • New Creation • Who You Say I Am
Who You Say I Am again describes the surrender of one’s misguided will to God’s divine will with the added ‘us’ in the final lines. This expansion from an individual surrender to a collective surrender evokes an engaged or married couple or religious community.
Who You Say I Am
Lord, I am who you say I am.
I will be who you say to be.
I will follow your plan – there is no other way.
There is no competing truth.
There is no other life outside of you.
You are all to me.
You are all to us.
Help us to remain in you forever through your son Jesus Christ, your Holy Spirit, and your unending grace.
Amen.
Introduction • New Creation • Who You Say I Am
Saunter 