Tangerines and Apricots

On the way to 5 Senses to Prayer Book 2 - #26

Hi friends

Do you ever have the experience of pondering an idea and then without searching out more about the thought or idea, you keep hearing about the same idea from many sources around you. It’s explored in conversations you overhear, song lyrics you hear through the supermarket sound system, politicians speak on the news, you neighbour shouts to you, your boss says something. Suddenly, what you thought was something you were thinking about on your own, feels like it’s a much bigger conversation happening right now.

I have been pondering the meaning of worth and how our concepts of worth and what it means shapes how we view our God, ourselves, our people and the rest of society.

The messaging in our culture says that worth is about having money and possessions. It says that worth is about power and climbing to the top not dwelling hopelessly at the bottom. It says worth is about being useful and productive and adding value. Worth is about making a decision to do better and get on with the job. According to society ‘worth’ is an accomplishment putting the climber at the top of social order. The scary thing is, that these attitudes to worth are as prevalent in church culture as they are amongst our governments, corporations and small businesses. We are all in danger of focussing so much on the cultural view of worth that we miss the signs of worth in God’s eyes.

You are always making yourselves look good, but God sees what is in your heart. The things that most people think are important are worthless as far as God is concerned.

Luke 16:15 (CEV)

We live out our attitudes to worth in our daily lives. It’s on display in the way we treat others and expect to be treated.

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8 (CEV)

The thing with being a follower of God is that we don’t have to do anything to be worth something to God. We come just as we are, with or without money, with or without power, with or without skills, with or without healthy bodies, with or without productive jobs, with or without brains that process things properly. God doesn’t view our accomplishments, successes, goals and strengths to assess our worth. God welcomes all of us with unconditional love and grace. These two things are really worth something!

During Lent we focus on what it means to be a follower of God in our own place. I’ve been thinking about worth. Maybe you have something you’ve been pondering, or maybe you have some thoughts on worth yourself. I’d love to hear them.

May our God’s unconditional love and grace be with you this week.

May you know your worth in the eyes of God and may you share this with your people.

On the journey

Caroline

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Essence of Tangerine Prayer

Sense of Smell – Adoration & Praise (AP.SM.7)

The smell of citrus is fresh, deep and rich.  Dab some tangerine oil onto a cotton wool pad. Praise God for things that help provide fresh insights into life and faith.  Praise God for things that are deeper than they first appear.  Praise God for things in your life that in monetary terms are worth nothing yet are riches according to God’s measurements.

Further suggestions and adaptations on using this prayer

Prayer Station

Set up a station with orange or lemon fabric, a bowl of citrus fruit, or some cut up citrus for participants to eat and/or jug of citrus to drink.  You could place container citrus trees at the station to add to the visual feel of citrus.   As well as dabbing tangerine oil onto your wrist as part of the prayer, you could also invite participants to eat or drink citrus as a prayer as well. 

Individual

Change this prayer to cutting and juicing a piece of citrus fruit and smelling it as you cut it.  Contemplate the fresh insights you have recently experienced in your life and faith.  Pray your praise prayer and drink or eat your citrus.

Small Group

Use this prayer at the conclusion of a gathered group experience where you have been discovering fresh insights in your faith. Pass around tangerine oil and cotton wool pads and invite participants to anoint each other with tangerine oil and offer your praise to God for the richness your faith brings to your life.

Large Group

Introduce the praise prayer and then invite people to pray in their seats.  Offer participants the opportunity to then move to various spaces around your gathered gathering area and receive a dab of tangerine oil onto their forehead.

Visual Images - Static, Projected, Live Props

·       Oranges

·       Citrus

·       Oil

·       Anointing with oil

Getting ready checklist

·       Tangerine oil

·       Cotton wool pads