Living Psalms Book
Psalms in the form of words and art, reborn in the specific contexts of our world, privileging the voices of historically marginalized communities and those acting in solidarity with them.

Living Psalm 46
For Reign of Christ Sunday C

God is my weighted blanket, my comfort, my relief when anxiety flares.
I won’t let my mind wander in fear as the earth shakes 
or the institutions fall in front of me.
I’ll work to care for God’s creation without obsessing over what could go wrong.
And yet, my brain begins to overthink anyway.
Breathe.  In.  Out.  Breathe.  Experience my presence surrounding you…

Look at this beautiful world – the dynamic foliage and rushing waters.  
What holy ground we stand on!
God’s firm presence steadies our foundation.  
Though our world seems to be crashing around us and crushing our souls, 
our space shall not be moved.  
God sends the soaring sun in the morning and the moon’s dance 
which eases our spirits at night.
Breathe.  In.  Out.  Breathe.  Experience my presence surrounding you…

Leaders across our world seem disheveled, disturbing a balance set forth by God.  Governments shake.  
But God’s presence will get us through the rushing waves.  
Our Divine Comfort is with us.  
God is our refuge when our spirits shake and our world trembles.
Breathe.  In.  Out.  Breathe.  Experience my presence surrounding you…

Let us traipse through nature.  Let us hike the hills crafted by our Creator.
For God is summoning us to escape the stress of society.
God is nudging us to escape into the beauty of Divine Creation.
To breathe.  To experience the fullness of this moment.  
To toss aside our anxiety-
For a moment or two.
Breathe.  In.  Out.  Breathe.  Experience my presence surrounding you…

Be still, beloved.  The holy one’s soothing voice says to me again-
Be still.
Know that I am God.
Know that you are in my care.
I am here.  I am your refuge.
Breathe.

*****
Psalm 46 for Reign of Christ Sunday was written by Rev. Michelle L. Torigian, senior pastor of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Belleville, IL.

Living Psalms Book is created by UCC Witness & Worship Artists’ Group, a Network of UCC connected artists, activists and ministers bridging the worship and liturgy of the local church with witness and action in the community.  Maren Tirabassi, editor.

Logo is detail from Living Psalm 80 by Sophia Beardemphl, Redwoods, CA. Recovering from significant bullying, Sophia, age nine, read Psalm 80 and thought of brokenness that needs mending. She drew this broken and mended bowl.

© Copyright 2019 Faith INFO Team, United Church of Christ, 700 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH  44115-1100.  Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education.  All publishing rights reserved.