"As we ponder why we should be so honored by your gift, leap forth with joy from the ocean of birth within. Incarnate us to be your improbable gift of blessing to another." -- from AN IMPROBABLE GIFT OF BLESSING

An Improbable Gift of Blessing is a diary of prayer that invites individuals and congregations into an involvement with Scripture and community to engage the heart and nurture the spirit. Each Scripture section approaches the text in four ways: 

• Prayer of the Heart. All prayer is rooted in a personal experience with the Scripture text.
• Bible Study. The Bible Study has two parts. Creative Encounter with the Text for a Small Group is an experiential exercise to stretch the spiritual imagination; Questions for Discussion or Personal Reflection will engage the reader with the Scripture text rather than simply reflect on its historical associations.
• Resources for Congregational Worship. These resources include calls to worship, invocations, and confessional sequences based on chosen texts.
• Prayer Beyond the Church. This prayer serves as a bridge from the Scripture to a relevant contemporary issue.

The book includes thoughtful questions for discussion and personal reflection. Permission is provided for the materials to be reprinted in church bulletins or newsletters and for congregational and educational use. The prayers are designed for those who use the lectionary as well as for those who do not.