Samson Occum
Dancing with Divines
December 13, 2021 (Monday)
Sixteenth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the Indigenous pastor Samson Occum, who studied at a Puritan school and did mission work among his people (the Mohegans). He was also a friend of the poet Phillis Wheatley, and like her visited England where he was welcomed and received great fame.
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Prayer
Sovereign Lord, Who calls for and brings justice to the lowly, I thank You for the life and witness of Your servant Samson Occom. Though forsaken by closest friends You did not forsake him, and You kept him by Your powerful hand through many trials peculiar. Lord, guide me by that strange providence that guided him; Your loving care which everflows with peace that passes all understanding. In Your matchless name I pray. Amen.
Phillis Wheatley
Dancing with Divines
December 12, 2021 (Sunday)
Fifteenth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the Black poet Phillis Wheatley, who was a member of the Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts. Though achieving great fame abroad, including recognition from Voltaire, she was rejected by Boston’s colonists who believed that Africans could not write poetry.
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Prayer
O Lord, Who embraces despite differences, I pray that I would do the same this Advent season and all other seasons. Thank You for the Phillis Wheatley’s placed within my life, and as I follow Christ with them may I acquire His radical love. The love that changes people and will one day change the world; let me be changed by it for the sake of Your glory. Through Your Son I pray these things. Amen.
Jeremiah Burroughs
Dancing with Divines
December 11, 2021 (Saturday)
Fourteenth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Jeremiah Burroughs, who was an Independent member of the Westminster Assembly. He followed the Latin motto “Opinionum varietas et opinantium unitas non sunt ασυστατα”, which means “Difference of belief and unity of believers are not inconsistent”.
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Prayer
O God, Who’s will is good and calls me to contentment, help me to hear Your voice and know what burdens I should carry. Keep me from the crosses that Your will has not allowed, and give me the strength to choose good health instead of what is harmful. And Lord, grant unto me a heart that beats with compassion, and humble hands that help to lift the crosses borne by others. In Your gracious name I pray. Amen.
Richard Mather
Dancing with Divines
December 10, 2021 (Friday)
Thirteenth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the pastor Richard Mather, who was the father of the theologian Increase Mather and the grandfather of the theologian Cotton Mather. While serving his congregation in Boston Massachusetts, he helped to establish Congregationalism and published British North America’s first hymnal.
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Prayer
Sovereign Lord and Maker of time I thank You for this age; this moment of transition where many things must be released. It is very difficult to let go of what is cherished, but what awaits are greater things to be cherished in the future. Take from my heart the fear of what is unfamiliar, and help me to embrace the things unknown that bring maturity. Help me, and all of Your people, to grow in grace and character until the day when we are like Your Son and feast with Him in world without end. In His blessed name I pray. Amen.
Philip Nye
Dancing with Divines
December 9, 2021 (Thursday)
Twelfth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the preacher Philip Nye, who was a member of the Westminster Assembly and a doctor of theology. Because of his experience in exile due to persecution, he called for religious freedom and the fair treatment of Jews.
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Prayer
O Blessed One, Whose beauty is shown throughout the creation, You see a beauty within the mix that is Your Church and people. You also see a beauty in every person that You have made, and even those with unbelief who put down Your existence. We are all comely and of value in Your sight, and we are all cherished and beloved in Your friendly heart. Lord, may I accept Your Word about us which is truth, and may I proclaim it to others with the Good News of the Savior. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
Hannah Duston
Dancing with Divines
December 8, 2021 (Wednesday)
Eleventh Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the infamous Hannah Duston, who was captured with her family and friends during a raid by the Abenaki people. She led her fellow captives to fight against their captors, and became an American legend with monuments in her honor.
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Prayer
O Holy One, Who alone is worthy of all worship, forgive me for the things that I have put within Your rightful place. No matter how noble they are, they pale in comparison to You and are stumbling blocks to the wondrous things You have for me in Jesus. Help those who have not bowed to the idols I have fashioned, and help me to make restitution if my foolish ways have harmed them. Tear down the pride that makes me think of them as foreign, and raise them up by truth and hope that I might call them brothers and sisters. Through Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Thomas Goodwin
Dancing with Divines
December 7, 2021 (Tuesday)
Tenth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is the pastor-theologian Thomas Goodwin, who was chaplain to the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. As a Congregationalist he pastored the Fetter Lane Independent Church, and was a member of the Westminster Assembly and Whitehall Conference for the fair treatment of Jews.
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Prayer
Gracious and Merciful God, Who loves to hear Your people, how many times have You sought my voice and I have chosen silence? How many times have I asked for a Word to come from You in trouble, but have kept my words from doubts and fears and flaws I wish to hide away? I have promised many times to pray when I am right with You, but You have not required this of me or any person. You only say to pray no matter what the season, and You will give a listening ear to all who call upon You. Help me to be like David who called out despite his failures, and may I never cease to pray for others in their time of need. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.
Westminster Divines
Dancing with Divines
December 6, 2021 (Monday)
Ninth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s entry features a group of Divines known as the Westminster Assembley, who gathered in London from 1643 to 1653. They came from across England, Scotland, and Ireland, and they represented different strands of the English Reformed tradition. Together they worked to make the Church of England look more Protestant, and drafted the Westminster Catechisms and the Westminster Confession of Faith.
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Prayer
To You, O Giving God, I offer praise with wonder; the wonder from the Gospel which inspires righteous merriment. May the News of Christ Your Son not lose its festive goodness, or become a message stale and dim that only speaks of losing. May it show what I have gained through bright and cheerful tidings, and lead me like St. Nicholas to display Your gift with gladness. The gift of redemption which You gave the world through Jesus, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit as one God, both now and forever. Amen.
Brilliana Harley
Dancing with Divines
December 5, 2021 (Sunday)
Eighth Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Brilliana Harley, who was a noblewoman of Brampton Bryan in Herefordshire, England. In addition to being educated and speaking several languages, she took part in the English Civil War by gathering intelligence. Her thoughts on God and faith are found within her letters, and especially those to her son Ned as he made his way into the world.
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Prayer
O Creator of all things, I thank You that I have a Mother in You, and a gentle hand with more than just correction for my failures. In You there is a comfort that gives hope for all despair, and a care that gives assurance that my sin is not the final word. Help me to take these things and trust Your tender promises; Your Word which nourishes the body and soul and brings rejoicing and gladness. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Thomas Brooks
Dancing with Divines
December 4, 2021 (Saturday)
Seventh Day of Advent
Divine
Today’s Divine is Thomas Brooks who was pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle’s parish in London. Following the Act of Uniformity from King Charles II in 1622, Brooks remained in his parish while other Puritan pastors were expelled.
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Prayer
O King of Peace, Who fashioned humanity from the dust and gave it the breath of life, forgive me for the ways in which I squander my potential. In addition to enjoying You and seeking to bring You glory, I was made to live by Your law of love which leads to peace and wholeness. Help me to treat all people as they were meant to be treated, and help me to treat creation as it was meant to be treated. May I be a glimpse of what You truly had intended, and may this glimpse be healing for the wounds that are around me. To you be all blessing and honor forever. Amen.