Each Wednesday, a devotion is posted here, sent via email to our email list and also posted on our Facebook page. If you would like to be part of our email list please contact the church office. In addition, check out past Devotions on our Facebook page.
I often receive feedback that the devotions are rich in content and are complex. Reading devotions whether short and concise or longer and complicated should never be read once quickly. All types of devotions should be read multiple times using contemplation, reflection and pausing. In those spaces of contemplation and reflection we experience the Holy Spirit interacting with us. Sometimes, individuals will reach out and provide their thoughts and reflections on their devotion. My intent has always been to create a dialogue. So read these in the way that best works for you to experience the Holy Spirit and create a dialogue with others in our community.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Hi St. Andrew's UMC Community ....
What are you happy about today? What is one thing that you are grateful for now? Today we consider a Native American Hymn as our devotion about now is the time!
The Time is Now
UMC Hymnal #330
Daw-Kee, Aim Daw-Tsi-Taw
(Great Spirit, Now I Pray)
The song, Daw-Kee, Aim Daw-Tsi-Taw, (Great Spirit, Now I Pray) that is found in the UMC Hymnal (#330) is a Kiowa prayer by Libbly Littlechief dated 1981. I was unable to find anything on Libbly Littlechief or much on the Kiowa tribe. However, the words of the song are powerful:
Great Spirit, now I pray to you,
I pray now to you,
Great Spirit, hear me;
My soul is weary,
Now I pray that your spirit will dwell in me.
The hymn reminds us that now is the time to pray. Regardless of what life is offering you, now is the time to pray. What causes you to not pray during your day? Is it that pain, or task list, or responsibilities, or family obligation, or addiction, or worry, or concern? What causes you to not pray now?
The song ends with my soul is weary and I pray that God’s Spirit will dwell in me. Is your soul weary? Has this life created exhaustion and concern that weary you? If God’s Spirit dwelled within you, would you not be weary?
As many of you know I suffer from allergies to chemicals and odors that cause havoc on my body and create swellings of joints and tendons that are painful. I often struggle to feel well and have enough motivation to do all that is needed. To let God’s Spirit dwell within me means I need to surrender to God and not the allergy. That is difficult. In your own life how often do you let your challenges and illnesses become the focus instead of God’s Spirit?
Take the time to invite God’s Spirit to dwell within you. Sit, breathe, uncross your arms and legs and say “I invite God’s Spirit to dwell within me regardless of my life circumstances.” Say it over and over and feel God’s Spirit stirring inside of you. God is waiting for you to invite God into your life, fully, in all ways. Now is the time to do that!
Dear God, thank You for always being ready to dwell in me. Thank You for transforming my weariness to peace. Help me to trust You fully and let go of my life circumstances. Amen.
(Image from: https://www.st-ninians-stonehouse.org.uk/sermons/now-is-the-time)
by Rev David Piltz
