Echoing the Word Vol. 5 No.

2 Prayer Ideas
The Absolute Mystery of God
Clare Hay
Theology in the Christian Tradition affirms the
absolute mystery of God. The human mind can
grasp ideas and images about God but will never
know the fullness of the mystery that is God. St
Augustine in his writing eplored the depths of the
mystery that is God. !n this prayer you are invited
to contemplate on this mystery and at the same
time reflect upon the ideas and images of God
that we meet in everyday life.
Preparation:
You may wish to prepare the sacred space with
the following items, all are optional:
words for the song !eryday "od#
a large candle or a flame for the centre of the sacred space $an effecti!e way to ha!e
a large dancing flame is to fill a terracotta pot with sand, pour in methylated spirits
and light, otherwise cotton wool soa%ed with methylated spirits wor%s &ust as well'
copies of the (uotes from )t *ugustine laid out in the sacred space $+a!id ,inter,
The Wisdom of St Augustine. -.ford: /ion Pu0lishing, 1223'
copies of the outline for those reading
the song !eryday "od# on 4ernadette 5arrell, "estless is the #eart. -6P
Pu0lications, 2777.
Prayer Outline:
In!ite people to read the (uotes 0efore you 0egin.
In!ite someone to light the candle or flame 0efore you 0egin.
8he prayer 0egins with time for people to gather, set aside the 0usyness of
life and 0e still. /et people %now that when the music 0egins, the group will enter into
a space of still and (uiet.
Gathering:
$lay %uiet music as people gather in the sacred space and the candle is lit.
/eader: *s we gather we reflect on the words of )t *ugustine
who contemplates the a0solute mystery of "od.
$ause for %uiet reflection between each of the %uotes from St Augustine.
9eader -ne: "od is an infinite circle whose centre is e!erywhere
and whose circumference is nowhere.
9eader 8wo: You ha!e made us for yourself, and our hearts are
restless till they find their rest in you.
9eader 8hree: -nly "od is seen to 0e eternal, only "od remains
fore!er. 8herefore true happiness can only 0e found in
holding on to "od
9eader 5our: 8oo late I lo!ed you, 0eauty so old yet always new:
8oo late ha!e I lo!ed you: *nd /o, all the while you
were within me ; and I, an alien to myself, searched
for you elsewhere.
9eader 5i!e: 8he order, arrangement, 0eauty, change and
mo!ement of the !isi0le world declare that it could
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Echoing the Word Vol. 5 No. 2 Prayer Ideas
only ha!e 0een the wor% of "od, who is indescri0a0ly
and in!isi0ly great and indescri0a0ly and in!isi0ly
0eautiful.
)ong: !eryday "od
/eader: 6reator "od we encounter you in the 0eauty of
creation.
6ompanion "od we encounter you in the warmth of
friendship.
/o!ing "od we encounter you in the em0race of a
lo!ed one.
=erciful "od we encounter you in the search for
&ustice.
=ysterious "od in our restlessness we search for you,
we desire you and we are confident in your assured
presence, now and fore!er.
*ll: *men
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