The world is full of beauty. Mountains, oceans, and lush landscapes reflect the creative work of the Lord. Yet the world is also full of darkness. Pain hides around every corner, and billions of people don’t know that hope exists. If you long for the safety of Eden, this liturgy is for you. As you pray, let your heart be reminded that the beauty of the gospel can overcome any form of spiritual darkness.
The weight on my heart is heavy and deep.
Pain’s unwelcome arrival comes unexpectedly.
God, when this world leaves me unsatisfied,
I know it’s because You designed me
to be a citizen elsewhere.
Even the world groans,
yearning for that which it has not known for millennia—
a garden, free from pain and guilt, full of beauty and peace.
Flowers and foliage dressed the landscape
with vibrance and life.
Gold and onyx glimmered in the river
that watered this haven.
There, I could have been safe.
There, I could have been seen.
There, I could have been unashamed.
Yet this garden was also where dreams were dashed.
Deception led to distrust,
distrust to disillusion.
Eyes turned from the true Provider for a moment,
and darkness flooded the soul.
Shame was exposed,
safety disappeared,
and a chasm formed between child and Father.
How I long to go back to the time
before I knew the sting of sin,
but I cannot.
The gate was closed for the world’s protection,
and now we find ourselves
reaping what was sown for us ages ago—
strife, enmity, longing, sorrow.
Creation echoes the cries of the heart,
pleading for redemption.
God, when will You redeem?
That garden which was once a place of light
held the first ripple of darkness.
Yet, merciful God,
that garden is also where the world first experienced
Your immeasurable grace.
When shame was exposed,
You covered it with another life.
The blood that was spilled for the first sin
merely foreshadowed the blood that would spill for all sin.
An animal died to cover nakedness.
Your Son died to cover sinfulness.
With the blood of the holy and perfect Lamb,
the promise of a new garden was born.
In Your grace, Lord,
You allow me to look toward the day
when the hope of Eden will be restored.
You draw me to what will one day be my home.
In the new garden,
the river that glimmered with onyx and gold
will flow from Your golden throne.
The tree of life that was locked away
will provide healing for the nations.
Here I will mourn no more.
Here You will wipe away my tears.
Here all pain will pass away.
But this home will not be complete
until Your Bride is ready, Lord.
Until the testimony of Your love reaches the ends of the Earth,
this age of suffering will linger.
Until a multitude from every tribe, nation, and people
is gathered at the throne of the Lamb,
the Bride will not enter the new garden.
And so, Lord of Heaven,
as I long to return to my true home for eternity,
embolden me to tell others about the tree—
the tree where the Son of Man covered my sins with His blood.
Allow my longing to fuel the desire
to tell the world about this future home
and the Savior who built the bridge for all to get there.
In the time between a garden created and a garden restored,
comfort my heart and fix my eyes
on the home You are preparing for Your children.
In Your merciful name I pray.
Amen.
Beauty & Darkness: A Collection of Liturgies
Connect with God and pray for the unreached in a new way with these three guided prayers. Along with the liturgy download, you will receive two lock screen downloads to use on your phone. Download a free copy today to be reminded that the beauty of the gospel can overcome any form of spiritual darkness!
