Embracing God's Nurturing Love Through Prayer

Summary

In the serene setting of a golden hour, we reflect on the profound connection between prayer and our relationship with God. Jesus invites us to come to Him when we are thirsty, promising that rivers of living water will flow from within us, symbolizing the Spirit's presence in our lives. This connection is deeply intertwined with prayer, as illustrated in the Lord's Prayer, which begins with "Our Father Who Art in Heaven." The imagery of God as a parent is powerful, evoking the tender, nurturing love a parent has for their child. This love is not just expressed in words but through presence and touch, much like the intimate bond between a mother and her child.

The Book of Job offers a vivid portrayal of God's relationship with creation, using personal and familial imagery. God is depicted as a parent, asking questions about creation that highlight His intimate involvement and care. This parental imagery extends to the nurturing aspects of God, as seen in the metaphor of a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings, a symbol of protection and love.

Reflecting on these images, we are reminded of the profound spirituality found in everyday acts of care and nurture, such as nursing a child. These acts are not just physical but deeply spiritual, embodying the nurturing love of God. This perspective challenges traditional views and highlights the importance of recognizing the feminine imagery of God in the Bible.

In our spiritual journey, we may not always feel God's love in a tangible way, but we are called to trust in it. This trust is not about manufacturing emotions but about recognizing the echoes of God's love in our relationships and experiences. As we contemplate the image of Jesus longing to gather us like a mother hen, we are invited to trust in His protective and sacrificial love.

Key Takeaways:

- The imagery of God as a parent, as seen in the Lord's Prayer and the Book of Job, emphasizes the intimate and nurturing relationship God desires with us. This relationship is not just about words but about presence and touch, reflecting the deep love a parent has for their child. [00:52]

- The metaphor of a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings, as used by Jesus, highlights the protective and sacrificial nature of God's love. This image challenges us to trust in God's care, even when we don't feel it tangibly. [11:08]

- Everyday acts of care, such as nursing a child, are profound expressions of spirituality. These acts embody the nurturing love of God and challenge us to recognize the feminine imagery of God in the Bible, which is often overlooked. [04:31]

- Trusting in God's love is not about manufacturing emotions but about recognizing the echoes of His love in our relationships and experiences. This trust invites us to see the divine in the ordinary and to embrace the spiritual significance of our daily lives. [08:12]

- The invitation to trust in God's love, as seen in the image of Jesus longing to gather us under His wings, calls us to embrace the protective and sacrificial nature of His love. This trust is a gift that allows us to experience the fullness of God's presence in our lives. [10:19]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:08] - Golden Hour Reflections
- [00:21] - Rivers of Living Water
- [00:36] - The Lord's Prayer and Parental Imagery
- [01:13] - God's Relationship with Creation
- [02:06] - Parental Influence on Prayer
- [02:59] - Mother Hen Imagery
- [03:28] - Feminine Imagery of God
- [04:31] - Spirituality in Everyday Acts
- [05:24] - Trusting in God's Love
- [06:52] - Feeling God's Love
- [07:25] - Trust vs. Emotion
- [08:55] - Recognizing God's Love
- [10:19] - Invitation to Trust
- [11:43] - Conclusion and Invitation to Connect

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 7:37-39 - "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
2. Matthew 6:9 - "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."
3. Job 38:28-29 - "Does the rain have a father? Who fathers the drops of dew? From whose womb comes the ice? Who gives birth to the frost from the heavens?"

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Observation Questions:

1. In John 7:37-39, what does Jesus promise to those who come to Him when they are thirsty? How is this related to the Spirit? [00:21]

2. How does the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9 begin, and what does this opening tell us about our relationship with God? [00:52]

3. In the Book of Job, how is God's relationship with creation described using familial imagery? What does this suggest about God's nature? [01:35]

4. What metaphor does Jesus use to describe His protective love in the sermon, and how does this image challenge traditional views of God's nature? [03:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the imagery of God as a parent in the Lord's Prayer and the Book of Job deepen our understanding of His relationship with us? What does this suggest about the nature of prayer? [00:52]

2. The sermon discusses the metaphor of a mother hen. How does this image of Jesus gathering us under His wings challenge or affirm your understanding of God's love? [11:08]

3. Reflect on the idea that everyday acts of care, such as nursing a child, are expressions of spirituality. How does this perspective influence your view of God's nurturing love? [04:31]

4. The sermon suggests that trusting in God's love is not about manufacturing emotions. How can recognizing the echoes of God's love in our relationships help us trust in His presence? [08:12]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually "thirsty." How did you seek to quench that thirst, and what role did prayer play in that process? [00:21]

2. How can you incorporate the understanding of God as a nurturing parent into your daily prayer life? What changes might this bring to your relationship with God? [00:52]

3. Consider the metaphor of Jesus as a mother hen. In what ways can you trust in God's protective love, even when you don't feel it tangibly? [11:08]

4. Identify an everyday act of care you perform regularly. How can you view this act as a spiritual practice that reflects God's nurturing love? [04:31]

5. Think about a relationship in your life where you have experienced echoes of God's love. How can you nurture this relationship to deepen your trust in God's presence? [08:12]

6. How can you remind yourself of God's love in moments when you don't feel it? What practical steps can you take to cultivate trust in His love? [08:12]

7. Reflect on the invitation to trust in God's love as seen in the image of Jesus gathering us under His wings. How can this trust transform your spiritual journey? [10:19]

Devotional

Day 1: The Nurturing Love of God as a Parent
The imagery of God as a parent, as seen in the Lord's Prayer and the Book of Job, emphasizes the intimate and nurturing relationship God desires with us. This relationship is not just about words but about presence and touch, reflecting the deep love a parent has for their child. The Lord's Prayer begins with "Our Father Who Art in Heaven," which sets the tone for understanding God as a loving parent. This parental imagery is further illustrated in the Book of Job, where God is depicted as intimately involved in creation, asking questions that highlight His care and attention. This nurturing aspect of God challenges us to see Him not just as a distant deity but as a loving parent who is deeply involved in our lives. [00:52]

Isaiah 66:13 (ESV): "As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt God's comforting presence in your life. How can you seek to experience that nurturing love more intentionally today?

Day 2: Trusting in God's Protective and Sacrificial Love
The metaphor of a mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings, as used by Jesus, highlights the protective and sacrificial nature of God's love. This image challenges us to trust in God's care, even when we don't feel it tangibly. Jesus' longing to gather us under His wings is a powerful reminder of His desire to protect and nurture us. This trust is not about manufacturing emotions but about recognizing the echoes of God's love in our relationships and experiences. We are invited to trust in His protective and sacrificial love, even when it seems intangible. [11:08]

Psalm 91:4 (ESV): "He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to trust in God's protection? How can you begin to surrender those areas to Him today?

Day 3: Spirituality in Everyday Acts of Care
Everyday acts of care, such as nursing a child, are profound expressions of spirituality. These acts embody the nurturing love of God and challenge us to recognize the feminine imagery of God in the Bible, which is often overlooked. The spirituality found in these acts is not just physical but deeply spiritual, reflecting the nurturing love of God. This perspective invites us to see the divine in the ordinary and to embrace the spiritual significance of our daily lives. By recognizing the feminine imagery of God, we can gain a fuller understanding of His nurturing nature. [04:31]

1 Thessalonians 2:7 (ESV): "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children."

Reflection: Identify a simple act of care you can perform today that reflects God's nurturing love. How can you make this act a spiritual practice?

Day 4: Recognizing the Echoes of God's Love
Trusting in God's love is not about manufacturing emotions but about recognizing the echoes of His love in our relationships and experiences. This trust invites us to see the divine in the ordinary and to embrace the spiritual significance of our daily lives. By acknowledging the presence of God's love in our everyday interactions, we can cultivate a deeper sense of trust in His care. This perspective encourages us to look beyond our immediate feelings and to recognize the ways in which God's love is manifested in our lives. [08:12]

Ephesians 3:17-19 (ESV): "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you felt God's love through another person. How can you be more aware of these moments in your daily life?

Day 5: Embracing the Invitation to Trust
The invitation to trust in God's love, as seen in the image of Jesus longing to gather us under His wings, calls us to embrace the protective and sacrificial nature of His love. This trust is a gift that allows us to experience the fullness of God's presence in our lives. By accepting this invitation, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His love. This trust is not passive but requires an active choice to rely on God's care and protection, even when circumstances are challenging. [10:19]

Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV): "The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find it difficult to trust in God's love? What steps can you take today to begin trusting Him more fully in that area?

Quotes

"so I'm here and what people who do this kind of video thing they call this golden hour it's a good gold it's a good time of day it's kind of time of day when the light is feeding and we're thinking about the end of the day and kids are running around there's a little kid right there and um we are listening to you might be able to hear the sound of a rushian stream this is California it's usually pretty dry um but it makes me think of a couple of things about prayer one is when Jesus said one time I think it's in John 7 if anybody's thirsty come to me and out of their belly will flow rivers of Living Water and by this he meant the spirit that somehow it's possible for us to have life and a connection with God and clearly prayer is a part of that" [00:00:08]

"and so thinking about for you being a parent and having little kids around and for me to watch my child with her children is a very moving thing and there's so much joy lots of other stuff too not constantly Joy um but in so much love and it's so much Beyond just words it's touch its presence and uh was struck not too long ago the Book of Job where uh a lot of when God shows up and he's asking all these questions it's about his relationship with creation and the imagery is so personal and he'll talk about um does the father does the rain have a father well how he goes and see and then um from whose womb does the frost come and you gave birth to well that's God so like a mom like a dad creates this is that way to be in so my question for you is um as a parent with little kids and when you think about the Lord's Prayer using the image of a father or a parent with God how does having children and being the parents affect shape if at all um how you think about prayer and how you think about God or not I" [00:01:00]

"mean so much so for a second I thought you were going to ask what ways is your father like the heavenly father just list them out it's fine I'll listen I didn't think we'd have enough time in this episode we'll have to save that for real long save it for your funeral yeah good idea yeah I mean I just think um the passage I don't even know remember where exactly it is but um when Jesus says or or I don't even know if Jesus is say oh Jerusalem how I want to gather you like a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings um here is that you know um it is Jesus but I couldn't tell you all the top about what CH they yeah but we'll look it up and let you know we'll let you know it's there it's in there it's can it's in the Bible yeah it's not like God helps those who help themselves that's not in the Bible um but I just that um image to me is one of the most beautiful images in the Bible and um that much more so now I think for being a parent" [00:02:24]

"but I remember um my friend Rachel H Evans who was a wonderful writer and teacher um she was a parent she died gosh her youngest was uh Chance's age um right around my son's age and um she was still nursing her when she when Rachel died and Rachel would write a lot about all uh the kind of like feminine imagery in the Bible that's used to talk about God and that I think growing up in probably most expressions of of Christianity not even just Evangelical don't get talked about as much um for a lot of reasons and I just loved the way that she would talk about um like nursing was an act of spiritual like profound spirituality um she would talk about you know the the church the many many Church mothers who kind of nurtured her or I think about um Dallas Willard even talking about how like it's kind of funny sometimes that there are these churches that won't let women preach but they'll let women teach children as if that's not like the most important job in church or on the mission field teach non-white yes men oh yeah oh I didn't know that was a thing yeah so I just like I I think being a mom you know and caring for and like physically and bodily caring for kids both nursing but mostly also just like carrying them all the time and tending to them and being lucky enough that right now I'm in a stage where when they're hurt I can help them that when they're crying it's usually not for more than a few minutes in a time like the fear and scariness of of there being a time when there's much more than that I always thinking when you were saying that along with go through S in the mount I've been reading through this wonderful translation by Carmen Butcher of the CCE of the presence of God and she writes at length about an image that he actually uses in the book but it often gets mistranslated um of actually nursing at the breast as an image of receiving spiritual nurture from about yeah and sometimes instead of breast people will translate it with bosom or something like that yeah but um uh he will actually talk about kind of that image that you um stay at it keep suckling or sucking or whatever the right language it sounds odd but it's very intimate and it's very tender yeah um and uh it's almost like you can't there's hardly an image that's tender enough or intimate enough to describe what can happen with people and the pure state of of receptivity like there is no you know the baby's working to eat but there is like nothing earn it no so let me ask you on that one then uh I I I was talking with somebody not too long and they were saying um their absolute best moments in life are when they are a moon with God because they feel so deeply loved by the way and I was very drawn to that and moved by it but honestly um I often don't feel that way and I have a harder time when I'm alone um actually beli yeah sometimes I'll have deep roads and sometimes it will be very rich often my mind will wander all over the place um for you I think I've ever actually list do you feel like God loves you when you are with him or seek about him or talking to him in a way that you know you love doing with a children no it feels wildly disconnected to me and I think it's just part of my own like I W I wish I did I wish I felt that emotionally I think I maybe a distinction though I would say is that I trust it like I don't know that I you may not feel it but you trust it yeah and I can't um I can't conjure that emotion or or just maybe for me because so much of my life I try to get a good side you know make a good impression and and work hard and you know earn affection and all these things it's like with God I really need to not do that and so if I don't feel something I want to be very honest that I don't feel it you know that feels very important not take it a manufacturer yeah but also to just say the feeling I know like when I read the Bible or read about or read about there are certainly moments in the Bible when people get moved deeply and when Jesus gets moved deeply but mostly we don't have a lot of information about what people are feeling yeah and so I think I can let go of the Primacy of like needing to feel a certain way but also say I in my heart and not just intellectually not just like oh I sent to this but like in my body in my heart keep putting myself in situations where I I see my kids and I have the thought you gift from God they are and then I really feel a sense of like wholeness in thinking that or I I feel a warmth in my chest kind of Bloom for that more and so it's not the same as like wow I just feel God looking at me with Eyes Of Love um but it's like a prayer in that too and I remember in I think the book of Henry Nan's Collective letters which I think is called love Henry um or on at your French um he had a little somewhere in the letters and I don't remember who he was writing to or what the situation was but he said something like I believe even now God is acting towards you loving me I'm just thinking of like yeah I don't necessarily feel uh alone you know warm sunshine on my heart when I think about that every single time but do I maybe do my breathing slow down a little bit sometimes when I think about God looking at me with eyes of love and the same one's eye with that my children wi like yeah a little bit that's a good gift so here's the invitation of the day um you can't reel your way into any motion I mean it's not sake to try to do that so don't try to manufacture any feeling but you can trust you can so trust that just like you know love maybe from a parent maybe for a child maybe in some other relationship that's a little echo of um God's heart toward you just take a moment and trust that and let this be the image oh Jerusalem Jerusalem how often I have longed to gather you like a mother hen gathers her chips another wonderful writer Barbara Brown Taylor talks about what's so powerful in that image is you know there's other animals um if lion is protecting her child she would do it by destroying the enemies the image Jesus chooses a mother hand just says chicks come under my wings and then if a predator comes she will die the mom will die so that her babies can live and that's the newans that Jesus chooses how often I have longed to gather you under my wngs like mother conv that's what he does so let that be the ls let it be with you all this day trust him thanks" [00:03:28]

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Transcript

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