Chapter 2: Prayercraft… The Beginning...

Proverbs 23: 1-8

“When you sit down to eat with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you; and put a knife to your throat if you are a man given to appetite.  Do not desire his delicacies for they are deceptive food.  Do not overwork to be rich; because of your own understanding, cease!  Will you set your eyes on that which is not?  For riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away like an eagle toward heaven.  Do not eat the bread of a miser, nor desire his delicacies; for as he thinks in his heart so is he.  ‘Eat and drink!’ He says to you, but his heart is not with you.  The morsel you have eaten, you will vomit up, and waste your pleasant words.”

…

“Bzzzrt.”  Q-bot hiccups, perched on the edge of the helm.  Data streams scatter across the holo-screens like fireflies trying to make sense of flight.

“Yes, Q-bot. It says gentle.”  Moose nods, pouring a cup of steaming tea.  The cup rattles faintly against the metal rim as the ship hums.  He settles back into the chair, the quiet light of Scripture glowing faintly across the console.  “We’re supposed to let our gentleness be known to all men.”  He glances up, voice low.  “You know what Jesus taught in Matthew 5?”

The verse rolls through the ship’s comm like a soft transmission from another world:

Matthew 5: 3-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled with Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.  Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.  Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.  Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is th eking dome of heaven.  Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heave, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

”Q-bot leans forward, servos whirring softly. “Sprizzt,” she chirps, “zz rikcrish zeranick.”

Moose smiles — a tired, quiet smile — and watches the stars stretch past the viewport.  “Exactly,” he says.  “The universe doesn’t need more noise. It needs more light.”

“Whhrrrr.”

Moose takes a slow sip of tea, gaze fixed on the drifting golds and blues outside. “That’s why we’re going to be talking about Prayercraft this week.  We will be exploring the idea of communication with God, art, where the two meet, what do you think?”

“Brickia rrrzit.  Takaka, roeecresaq.  Takitaki nameis recorrrrrzt.”

“I know, I know!  I’ll get started soon!”  Moose pulls his hat brim low and continues to read….

…

Proverbs 21: 1-5

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.  To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.  An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked is sin.  The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.”