The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’

Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own

we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen (parallelism – knowing=having seen)

Humble, honest

believers

Open-minded agnostics

Religious fundamentalist

s

Atheistic fundamentalists

Kn

ow

eve

ryth

ing

– K

now

a l

ittl

e

Like to dialogu

e

Love to proclaim and argue

Read together (or alone) and reflect on questions

(May want to take turns reading or have one person read)

Re-read final bolded portion twice before talking about questions

To be reminded of the value of not knowingTo keep us honest, sane and humbleRisk-taking based on not-knowing is

enthusiastic and energetic, preventing stagnancy for believers

To be a part of a committed group of people who care about each other while they participate in the creation of meaningful life (to be “rooted”)

To join with each other in experimenting (taking risks on life-giving alternatives) and in so doing coming to know a little more (to “have wings)

To be intentional about the life of the spirit (to not deny their inner mystic)

All of these prayers make the assumption that it’s perfectly reasonable to be clueless about who or what may or may not be listening and still to toss some thoughts and words in the direction of the Mystery that might just hear.

“Be with me in caring for ______ .”  – If we don’t voice this prayer at some level, it will constipate our love, making it hard to give any attention to our aching concern for someone who is ill or broken by life circumstances.

“Help me to do or be what is asked of me. Help me to love.” – Most of us have a sense that there is a value in our existence and that we want to fulfil that value. And most of us also sense that this value is closely bound up with love. Knowing how challenging love is, how can we not long for help? And then, perhaps, at the end of the day, a quick, “with all I did and didn’t do, let it be enough for this day.”

“I forgot how big…. Thank you.” – expressing awe and wonder while acknowledging our smallness and accepting that we are not entitled is healthy humanity. (with a nod to Joe vs the Volcano)

“___________” - A wordless prayer, imagining the real world, as it is, becoming more whole – not fantasies or utopias or Platonic ideals, just reality shifting into place, puzzle pieces fitting. If we don’t do this, there’s no hope.

(When one finds oneself a little vulnerable and hungry for more…)

 “Please notice me, and let me see you.”