This is a truly beautiful post. I want to read it again when I'm not as scatter-brained so I can truly take it in. I think "light" is a beautiful theme for 2025, and very fitting for a beginning. In many of my darker moments, I used to pray what I've coined as "The Genesis Prayer"--a prayer that invokes the first few lines in the Bible. It says, "In the beginning, the earth was formless and void." The Hebrew words there, תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ , or Tohu wa-Bohu carry the understanding of "Chaotic" and "empty." When I feel within myself chaos and emptiness, it's not unlike that darkness that it talks about in the next line: "And darkness was over the face of the deep." I imagine and visualize the chaotic darkness inside of myself, and meditate on the next line: "And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters, and God said 'Let There Be Light.'" And that's what I visualize next: God lighting up all of that darkness, and creating order out of chaos. It's this prayer that reminds me that darkness and chaos can also be seen as an empty canvas for creation, bursting with divine potential.
God, my spirit within me feels chaotic and empty
darkness is over the face of the deep in my soul
I know your presence is there, hovering over it all
Speak, and let there be light in the darkest corners of my psyche
Exactly, Samantha. I love your prayer. Thank you for taking the time to write out a thoughtful response to my work. It means much to me. I have listened to a podcast from the Bible Project--many in fact--that invoke the chaotic waters you mention. It's a terrifying and liberating concept. One that I am still learning to accept within myself. I would highly suggest you listen to 'Genesis' by Emilie Weiss. It hearkens to the prayer you say.
Please do us all the pleasure of writing on your Substack. I would be more than happy to support that dream of your's and follow along.
This is a truly beautiful post. I want to read it again when I'm not as scatter-brained so I can truly take it in. I think "light" is a beautiful theme for 2025, and very fitting for a beginning. In many of my darker moments, I used to pray what I've coined as "The Genesis Prayer"--a prayer that invokes the first few lines in the Bible. It says, "In the beginning, the earth was formless and void." The Hebrew words there, תֹ֙הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ , or Tohu wa-Bohu carry the understanding of "Chaotic" and "empty." When I feel within myself chaos and emptiness, it's not unlike that darkness that it talks about in the next line: "And darkness was over the face of the deep." I imagine and visualize the chaotic darkness inside of myself, and meditate on the next line: "And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters, and God said 'Let There Be Light.'" And that's what I visualize next: God lighting up all of that darkness, and creating order out of chaos. It's this prayer that reminds me that darkness and chaos can also be seen as an empty canvas for creation, bursting with divine potential.
God, my spirit within me feels chaotic and empty
darkness is over the face of the deep in my soul
I know your presence is there, hovering over it all
Speak, and let there be light in the darkest corners of my psyche
create order where there is chaos
Create in me again a new morning.
Exactly, Samantha. I love your prayer. Thank you for taking the time to write out a thoughtful response to my work. It means much to me. I have listened to a podcast from the Bible Project--many in fact--that invoke the chaotic waters you mention. It's a terrifying and liberating concept. One that I am still learning to accept within myself. I would highly suggest you listen to 'Genesis' by Emilie Weiss. It hearkens to the prayer you say.
Please do us all the pleasure of writing on your Substack. I would be more than happy to support that dream of your's and follow along.
Have a magnificent New Year.
Peace & prayers to you, my friend.💫