Fragrant
Offering
The
leader stands and reads
the words of prayer.
the words of prayer.
Prayer
from us, for us,
prayer to Holy God in heaven,
far yet near, here but not.
prayer to Holy God in heaven,
far yet near, here but not.
The
words flow forth,
old words, new words,
ancient petitions in modern phrase.
old words, new words,
ancient petitions in modern phrase.
We
listen, we hear.
Those
with softened heart
can sense the change:
change in the air,
change in the mood.
can sense the change:
change in the air,
change in the mood.
The
leader reads
but more than words flow forth.
but more than words flow forth.
The
barest curl of smoke,
translucent, glimmering,
accompanies the words.
translucent, glimmering,
accompanies the words.
The
faint tendril curls lazily,
moving gently in the light-filled air.
moving gently in the light-filled air.
It
extends and reaches,
out, out, and outward still.
out, out, and outward still.
Out
over the people, among the people,
wreathing and enveloping
as it flows, grows.
wreathing and enveloping
as it flows, grows.
The
leader reads
and billows form!
and billows form!
Clouds
of prayer hang in the air,
now rising also from the pews,
from those who’ve joined the leader’s words
though silently, silently.
now rising also from the pews,
from those who’ve joined the leader’s words
though silently, silently.
The
leader reads,
but wait!
but wait!
What’s
that sweet smell?
That delicious aroma in the air?
Incense!
That delicious aroma in the air?
Incense!
Not
merely smoke but fragrance, too,
the cloud of prayer has sweetened,
somehow thickened.
the cloud of prayer has sweetened,
somehow thickened.
The
soul delights in this new atmosphere
of prayer made real, tangible.
of prayer made real, tangible.
A
taste of heaven,
our words are now incarnate, too.
our words are now incarnate, too.
The
leader reads
and God receives our fragrant offering.
and God receives our fragrant offering.
He
smiles.
Photo by
Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
