A Psalm that is an acrostic poem (each line begins with each of the 22 Hebrew letters, in alphabetical order) was surely written by a poet, a writer, a creative someone engaging in a writing exercise. And therefore: paradox belongs. Poetry is not systematic theology, nor is prayer. So the Psalmist can implore God to remember and to forget in the same breath. And I can assert with Octavia Butler that “God is change” in one breath, and in the next breath sing with Shirley Erena Murray “God always faithful, you do not change.” All of our prayers are welcome to God, including the paradoxical ones!
Preacher: Megan Ramer
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