Posts by Julia

Letting Go

(by Scott Cairns) More than a hundred years ago, a chronically afflicted Emily Dickinson observed something of pain’s curious effects and aftermath.  “After great pain,” she wrote, ” a formal feeling comes.”  Her poem continues: The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs— The still Heart questions ‘was it He, that bore,’ And ‘Yesterday, or Centuries before’? The Feet, mechanical, go...

A Prayer For One Who Is Sick

O Father of mercies and God of all comfort, our only help in time of need: We ask you to behold, visit, and relieve your sick servant for whom our prayers are desired. Look upon him with the eyes of your mercy: comfort him with a sense of your goodness; preserve him from the temptations of the enemy; and give him patience under his affliction.  In your good time, restore him to health, and enable him to lead the residue of his life in...

On Being Alone

Facing This begins with Jesus. He comes upon a man born deaf. And he separates him from the other people. Jesus takes the man where they can be alone. So he can spit, and dawdle, and chant incantations. Whatever he feels impelled to do that day. Whatever it was, he wanted to do it alone. For me, there’s alone— and there’s alone. Being alone physically gives me the actual space to bump around, bump up against, climb...

On Waking In Prison

On Waking In Prison O God, early in the morning I cry to you. Help me to pray, and to think only of you. I cannot pray alone. In me there is darkness, but with you there is light. I am lonely, but you never leave me. I am feeble in heart, but you are always strong. I am restless, but in you there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you patience. Your ways are beyond my understanding, But you know the way for me. Lord Jesus...

Prayer Against Witchcraft Control

In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I bind all principalities, powers of the air, wickedness in high places, thrones, dominions, world rulers, and strong men exerting influence over [insert name], and I forbid them to operate against him/her/them, or against the one praying this prayer. In the name of Jesus, I bind and break witchcraft, witchcraft control, mind-binding spirits, spirits that block and/or bind the will,...