The retreat ended with communion last night and so this morning, after breakfast and packing we headed back home. An enjoyable journey through some beautiful Welsh countryside. I unpacked my paintings and have placed the heart on my prayer table. It goes well with the red cloth (for Pentecost). The gold lettering around the outside of the heart is:
“Enlighten the eyes of my heart” (Ephesians 1:18) and “Fan into flame the gift” (2 Timothy 1:6) – gift of God. If you read from Day 1 of retreat you will get explanation of how the heart picture developed.
Having a retreat in the week after Pentecost Sunday was good timing. It has been a good week, albeit more like a conference than a retreat. I have gained some more art techniques as well as had time and space to pray and reflect.
In my evening prayer I reviewed the week and felt very thankful. I read Ephesians 1:17-23 and prayed that God would continually enlighten and ignite my heart that I am know Him more, day by day. I feel blessed and peaceful and listen to a recording of the collect:
“Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ Our Lord.” (Book of Common Prayer 1662)
Now I know that Prevent means to go ahead of I consider writing it out and using it on a regular basis. See Day 2 of retreat for explanation of this word and prayer.
I pray for all of us who have been away on retreat, or holiday, that as we return to work and normal life that we will know God’s continuing presence and strengthening. The Holy Spirit is, after all, the Comforter – and that word too has changed its meaning over the years. In the context of the Holy Spirit Comfort means to strengthen.
I am not sure when I will write a blog again – watch this space!!!
Elizabeth Jones' Diary 