We gathered around the flame burning on the altar table at the front of McLain Chapel. There were 15 of us, all men, all focused on what we would do next.

We had been together since Friday evening, most of us traveling from the South Shore of Boston. The weather during the weekend was lovely and we had lots of opportunities to interact and get to know one another. We had eaten good food together, played games, relaxed and enjoyed the scenery.

We had listened to the scripture instruct us about pride and about the unity that must exist between brothers in the church. We had heard about “carrying each other’s burdens” and doing good to others. We had talked about caring for our wives and families. Galatians 6:1-10 had been our thematic center.

But really it all came down to this. At the end of the service, after spending time with prayer partners to select just the right verses – the ones that best expressed our sentiments – we gathered round the flame. Bibles opened, one by one, we read aloud the words we wanted to say to the Father, our Father.

“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever . . . “

“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love . . .”

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me . . .”

“Sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous deeds . . .”

“Worthy is the lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever.”

These were words of praise, words of prayer, words of power. Proclaimed together, before the altar, these words of scripture became the words of our hearts expressed toward God. And God used his Word, which had become our words, to shape us again.

Eternally creative, it is an amazing thing to see what this God of ours can do!

Dan Whitney