Prayer for Shavout and Pentecost: God's Spirit Overcomes

Psalm 119:30 – 32


דֶּרֶךְ-אֱמוּנָה בָחָרְתִּי; מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ שִׁוִּיתִי.
דָּבַקְתִּי בְעֵדְו‍ֹתֶיךָ; יְהוָה, אַל-תְּבִישֵׁנִי.


דֶּרֶךְ-מִצְו‍ֹתֶיךָ אָרוּץ: כִּי תַרְחִיב לִבִּי.




Ich habe den Weg der Wahrheit erwählt; deine Rechte habe ich vor mich gestellt.



Ich hange an deinen Zeugnissen; HERR, laß mich nicht zu Schanden werden!


Wenn du mein Herz tröstest, so laufe ich den Weg deiner Gebote. Luther Bible 1545



I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws.


I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD;
do not let me be put to shame.


I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free.


Friend Eric recently returned from a trip to visit family in Germany and brought back small inspirational cards featuring the above Psalm quote in German. His gift came just as Christian friends celebrated Pentecost and Jewish friends were moving away from the festival of Shavuot. Both celebrations remind persons of faith of the truth of God in their hearts and in their lives. Each recalls the power of God to at once breakdown the human barriers which too often unnecessarily separate us from ourselves, one another and God; all the while offering us gentle guidance along the path which leads us closer to truth and freedom which God intends for us—the living of authentic lives of devotion, compassion and care.


Let our prayerful hearts come this week confident in the power of God to help them overcome the differences which divide; may they come confident that especially when they cannot comprehend, the truth of the Lord will hold them fast. May they find guidance there along the path and by such grace the freedom to allow the power of God’s truth to guide in the leading of authentic lives of devotion, compassion and care. Amen.