Love the Lord, all you his saints. The Lord preserves the faithful, but abundantly repays the one who acts haughtily. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. (Psalm 31: 23-24)

With our sharpest reason we come to scripture, prayer, and experience. We open our mind and being to the potential for revelation, an understanding beyond reason.

We read carefully. We listen attentively. We ask for guidance. We engage in self-criticism. We open ourselves to correction. We seek to understand. We acknowledge mysteries beyond our understanding.

We act. We make choices. We choose to love or not to love. We choose to trust or not to trust.

Gracious God be with me in my choices. Help me to be motivated by love rather than fear. Creator and redeemer help me shape my intention to reflect your purpose. Allow my choices and actions to bring me into fuller relationship with you.

My own translation of the last verses of Psalm 31: Passionately seek and fully value the One Who Exists all you who are faithful and kind. The One Who Exists keeps watch over those who firmly trust and brings into wholeness those who act with excellence. All you who wait expectantly on the One Who Exists: Be strong, attentive, and determined in all that you are.