Start with God – the first step in learning is bowing down to God;
only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.
Proverbs 1:7 [The Message]
The book of Proverbs is not one we often sit and read, though many people can usually quote – or misquote – a few of the wise sayings in there. This saying from the first chapter of Proverbs says it all for me: start with God. Whatever else is going on, whatever we are worrying about, or wanting to do, or dreading – we should always start with God. We should always start with a prayer, seeking God’s guidance, help or blessing; whatever it is will be much easier if we do. We know this pearl of wisdom, and yet we can also be very forgetful of it – usually when we should remember it most!
God was there at the beginning of all things, has been there throughout all things, and will still be there long after we have gone. Why wouldn’t we seek the wisdom, love, help and blessings of God? Some people dislike the idea of bowing to God, as it is an act of submission or humility, yet for me it is an appropriate response to someone far wiser than I will ever be, to show respect and humility in learning from the one who knows more than I ever could.
Many hymns speak of the wisdom of God, though perhaps a well loved one would be ‘Immortal, invisible, God only wise’ by Walter Smith (Singing the Faith ). A more contemporary song would be ‘The perfect wisdom of our God’ by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend (Singing the Faith ), which speaks of God’s wisdom seen in creation and asks for a taste of that wisdom for ourselves.
God of wisdom,
your mysteries appear for us in the glory of your creation,
from the tiniest atoms and molecules to the vast expanse of space.
We search for knowledge and understanding,
but it is pale in comparison to the vastness of your wisdom.
We ask for your wisdom and guidance in all things,
for the humility to always start with you,
to know that no one knows or understands more about us than you do.
In your wisdom guide us.
In your knowledge inspire us.
And in your love bless us.
Amen.
You can download this Prayer for the Week here
Prayers for July 2019 by Revd Claire Rawlinson
Image: photo by Braden Collum on Unsplash
