prayer wall

Grapevines are beautiful plants. I've never really looked at them before today. I spent a few hours this morning knee-deep in a friend's grape field (not the photo below) cutting about 70 feet of vine so that the prayer wall at LW can be re-made and ready for prayers this Sunday. As I stood there, gazing at the huge pile of leaves, vines, branches and tendril, I wondered where to begin. So, I grabbed the end of one branch and followed it as far into the mound as possible before being engulfed and never seen again. Then I clipped the branch and gave it a pull to release the clipping. But it didn't budge. The thousands of curly tendrils securely anchored the clipping to many other branches and even around a poor little tree that was trying to achieve life. I couldn't just pull the clipping and rip everything to shreds, so instead I gently clipped each tendril that was holding it firm.

I remember in John when Jesus said, "I am the True Vine and My Father is the Gardner." Later He continues, "I am the Vine, you are the branches." As I continued cut away the branches needed to re-create the Prayer Wall, I took note to the way they were safely attached to the thick woody vine, which sustains life. Some branches were extremely healthy while others were not so much. There were many branches in a huge pile, all leaning on one another, attached with tendrils, and reaching for the sun.

No grapes were budding yet, but I could see how the branches were preparing for the weighty and precious fruit to appear. Hence the tendrils and the importance they have...providing support by reaching out and holding on for dear life. Creating a strong foundation for the branchs to bear their fruit. One day soon, full round grapes will hang as a bunch waiting for someone to enjoy them as a snack.
Being the visual person that I am, I stood there in awe gazing over the pile of greenery, imagining true community - the way Jesus longs for us to live. Each branch securely attached to the life giving Vine. Living side by side with it's sibling branches. Tendrils reaching out for one another in support, support for the fruit that will grow. A single branch alone, unattached to fellow branches, can not grow and support healthy fruit. They need help from the pile. Jesus longs for us to live like this. Attached to Him, drawing upon each others strength to grow lots and lots of fruit.

The Prayer Wall will be in place again this Sunday, 7/6, in the lobby of Living Word. Little slips of paper and twine will be provided so you can write your prayer and offer it up to God by tying it to the branches of the wall. There's a group of people who stand before that wall regularly and lift up each prayer mentioned.

If you are struggling, have a need &/or your heart longs to know God deeper, go to the wall. Offer up your prayer. And live in the Peace that goes beyond all understanding.

Grace on your journey ~ deAnn