Campfire Canon:
Reimaginings and contemporary midrashic stories.
A series of stories inspired by Scripture designed to be told by friends around the fire.
We explore contemporary issues with respect to tradition, but allow the stories to breathe and grow.
We are not replacing Scripture; we are attending to ancient texts with our spiritual imagination to look at faith from fresh angles.
Campfire Prayer: Moses and the Burning Bush
Abba,
Eternal flame,
You burn brilliantly,
Your warmth kindles our hearts.
We feel the comforting glow.
And rest before you.
In the embers and sparks,
We see our struggles,
We see the plight of our neighbors.
As the flames dance,
The images come alive.
In the crackles and pops,
sprites leap,
showing us the way.
The path of liberation opening before us.
Be with us.
Deliver us.
Amen.
From the Cave - Psalm 57
An excerpt from David Hiding in a Cave. A prayer inspired by Psalm 57
Merciful God,
In You, our souls take refuge.
Shield us under Your wing until the storms pass by.
Adonai, Your purpose fills us.
In Your hesed, we are loved and restored.
Your astounding beauty lifts us up.
The lions and hunters surround us,
But they will not bring us down.
They set their traps before our feet,
Yet they have fallen into the pits they made.
They hounded us night and day,
But they only herded us together.
Our hearts are revived, O God.
Our hearts leap, our souls soar.
Let us sing and make melodies.
Sing until the break of day.
Shout with praise and gratitude.
To all people, shout your praise.
Your love, Adonai, restores the earth.
Your faithfulness flows from the clouds.
O God beyond the heavens, your beauty shines over the earth.
David Prays from the Cave - Psalm 142
An excerpt from David Hides in a Cave. A prayer inspired by Psalm 142.
Adonai, O Adonai,
What is left of me?
I’m too parched to cry,
but you will lead me to water.
Even as the path before me
is littered with traps,
my enemies hunt me day and night.
I have no refuge,
nowhere to lay my head.
You are my refuge.
In you, I can find comfort.
Listen to me.
I can’t take much more.
Save me from my enemies;
they are too strong.
Bring me close to you.
Help me to praise your name again.
Restore me.
Those who hunger for justice
will gather around me.
Together,
we will dine on your bounty.
David Hiding in a Cave
A Campfire Canon reimagining of the story of David hiding in a cave from Saul’s rampage. In it David prays from a place of despair, finds hope, and builds a community of outcasts.
Jesus Heals with a Touch
A retelling of Jesus healing with a touch, focusing on the power of healing and acceptance over seeking cures.
Let us pray,
Abba,
Our God who walks with us,
and is not afraid of the dirt, mire, and bruises of life.
Heal us.
Comfort us.
Be a balm for our wounds.
That we may be filled with life,
And sit comfortably within our skins,
To celebrate the joys of creation.
Held in your presence,
Amen.