I AM the Life

On Saturday morning, I had the most captivating prayer experience! So special, I had to share it! In the space of twenty minutes, God reached down into a desert garden where my feet were planted, and opened my heart and mind to bring encouragement and assurance to my soul. I attended a prayer retreat with a friend at St. Barnabas on the Desert Episcopal Church in Paradise Valley. During our first period of personal reflection, I meandered outside to find their peaceful desert garden with a stone labyrinth in the center of it. The path led me directly to the entry, where I began to pray. Actually, a song began to play in my mind and it became my prayer as I entered the labyrinth circular pathway:

LORD, I GIVE YOU MY HEART

I GIVE YOU MY SOUL,

I LIVE FOR YOU ALONE.

EVERY BREATH THAT I TAKE,

EVERY MOMENT I’M AWAKE,

LORD, HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME.

Step by step. Hands open…Heart open…Eyes open. I focused on the path in front of me, moving slowly as I prayed this song to God. I was in awe and wonder of my physical surroundings…the sounds and smells and visible beauty of desert life, yet lost in His Presence…the Spirit of the Lord accompanying me on my prayer journey. Step by step, making my way around each ring of the small circle. I would pause when I felt the direct warmth of morning sunshine on my face. There I closed my eyes and lifted my face to feel the sunshine, and I thanked God for the moment and I listened. In those moments, God spoke to my heart:

I am the life-blood flowing in your veins…

I am the life pouring out to others through you…

I am the life in each person you see…

I am the life in community…

I am the life in you…

I am the life…

I am…

Around I went…each circle drawing me closer and closer to the center. Praying, praising, thanking, listening. And there it was! The end of my journey. The destination! In the middle of the labyrinth, there in the center circle is where I found SURRENDER. There is where I heard the words “I AM”. I believe the Lord was saying to my heart, “I am life. I am your one and only. Release it all to me.” And one last time, I closed my eyes and faced the sun…with open hands and an open heart, I prayed: “Lord, I release it all to you. Every thought. Every fear. Every doubt. Every worry. Every need. Lord, I give you my heart, my soul, my all…Lord, have your way in me. Amen.”

The song is here for you. If you choose to listen, I invite you to make it a prayer to the Lord today. Release your burdens as you pray. He’s got this…whatever is on your heart. Lay it all down. He is the LIFE!