This is a series of meditation cards from Degibna Prayer Chapel in Cornwall that we recently shared over the course of a week or so online via our social media channels.
1st
‘Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea –
the Lord on high is mighty.”
Psalm 93 v4
Mightier than politics, economics or genetics;
mightier than psychology, sociology or theology;
mightier than chance, fate or superstition;
mightier than disease, decay or death;
mightier than our troubles, anxieties or worries;
mightier than our failures, frustrations and fears;
mightier than all that would overwhelm us:
the Lord on high is mighty,
the Lord on high is compassionate,
and he cares for us.
Take time to reflect on picture and words …
then talk with God.
Photograph taken at Porthleven by John Allen
One in a series of meditation cards
© Degibna Prayer Chapel
2nd
“You are the light of the world,
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”
Matthew 5:14
There is something about genuine goodness,
true kindness, authentic love,
that glows, that shines, that stands out.
And if much around us, much in our own lives,
is dull and dreary, even dark and dismal;
then the goodness, the kindness and the love
shine more brightly, stand out more clearly.
So where do we see the light of God’s love shining?
And who sees the light of God’s love shining through us?
Take time to reflect on picture and words …
then talk with God.
Photograph of St Michael’s Mount by Geoffrey Thorpe
One in a series of meditation cards
© Degibna Prayer Chapel
3rd
“There is a mine for silver
and a place where gold is refined.
But where can wisdom be found?
Where does understanding dwell?”
Job 28 v1 & 12
Monsters and marvels in the shadows,
darkness and danger in the depths:
treasure also.
Safer to stay at the surface, yet miners of old
delved deep, laboured hard, endured much, risked all
for ore and gem, mineral and metal:
worldly wealth and earthly treasure.
So should not we, despite difficulty and distraction,
search for things of greater value?
Should not we seek first God’s kingdom?
Take time to reflect on picture and words …
then talk with God.
Photograph taken at Rinsey Head by Geoffrey Thorpe
One in a series of meditation cards
© Degibna Prayer Chapel
4th
“He leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.”
from Psalm 23
Much in modern living destroys the soul,
much brings discord and disturbance:
bureaucracy … worry … insecurity … loneliness …
noise … cynicism … gossip … bitterness … triviality …
So what restores the soul?
What brings tranquillity and refreshment?
Laughter … music … friendship … kindness …
beauty … rest … silence … stillness … peace …
And within and beyond all these, God himself:
He restores the soul.
Take time to reflect on picture and words …
then talk with God.
Photograph of Loe Pool, near Helston by Jackie Allen
One in a series of meditation cards
© Degibna Prayer Chapel
5th
“The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.”
from Psalm 19
The air is full of voices:
radio stations and tv channels and the worldwide web.
By post, phone, fax, email, text and more,
we are beset by voices.
The voices are within us and around us.
But what of the voice of God;
the still, small voice that whispers in our hearts?
Lost in the hubbub of other voices?
Dare we pause to listen?
Take time to tune in?
Take time to reflect on picture and words …
then talk with God.
Photograph taken at Goonhilly by John Allen
One in a series of meditation cards
© Degibna Prayer Chapel
6th
“He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.”
Psalm 18:16
We can find ourselves in situations
from which there seems no escape.
Events may have conspired against us
or we ourselves may bear some responsibility;
but however we got in, we cannot now get out.
We are caught … stuck … trapped …
and struggle only makes things worse.
At such times we are brought face to face
with our limitations, our failures, our inabilities.
We need someone to rescue us, to save us,
to reach out and help us. We need a saviour.
What we cannot do, God can do for us.
What is impossible for us, is possible for God.
Take time to reflect on picture and words …
then talk with God.
Photograph taken at Kynance Cove by John Allen
One in a series of meditation cards
© Degibna Prayer Chapel
7th
“He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.”
Psalm 107 v29-30
The storms of life are many and varied.
Some come and go in moments, others last an age.
Some we see coming, others surprise us.
Some we share with companions, others we face alone.
It is always a relief to come through such storms,
to experience the calm beyond, to find safe harbour.
Whatever storms we encounter, God is not far from us.
He will guide us, he will help us,
if only we ask, if only we admit our need.
God will bring us safe home.
Take time to reflect on picture and words …
then talk with God.
Photograph of Coverack Harbour by John Allen
One in a series of meditation cards
© Degibna Prayer Chapel
8th
“Look at the birds of the air;
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much more valuable than they?”
Matthew 6 v26
Since their return the choughs have given joy
to locals and visitors alike:
Their glossy black plumage, distinctive red bill,
charismatic cry and aerobatic flight make the heart leap.
They belong here. They add an extra dimension.
This is their home. Wild spirits of the Cornish cliffs:
without them, something is missing.
Yet we are more valuable to God.
We too are part of his creation. This is where we belong.
It would not be the same without us.
We are so very special to God.
Take time to reflect on picture and words …
then talk with God.
Photograph of Cornish Chough by David Chapman
(These returned to Cornwall in 2001 after a 30 year absence
and are now breeding successfully on the Lizard and beyond.)
One in a series of meditation cards
© Degibna Prayer Chapel