Sovereign God, we acknowledge that you alone
are the giver of every good gift
and grantor of all lawful pleasures.
With full conviction that the fittest response to any gift
is wholehearted delight in both the gift and its Giver,
we take pleasure in that which is pleasurable,
we find joy in that which is enjoyable,
we delight in that which is delightful.
We give thanks, O Lord, for this, your gift of fine tobacco,
for the rains, sun and soil that bring forth such plants
to gladden the hearts of man.
For the hands that harvested, dried and cured it;
for the farmers and craftsmen and artisans
who took the raw goods of your creation
and joined in your creative work to fill the world
with things new and beautiful and pleasurable;
for the men and women who form the global chain
of production and supply that leads to our homes;
for each of these we give you thanks
and ask your particular blessing in their lives.
May the flame of this match bring to mind
the consuming fire of your wrath poured out on sinners,
the column of fire by which you led your people out of slavery,
the refiner’s fire in which you purify us,
the tongues of fire at Pentecost
with which your Spirit rested on your children
and made your home among us.
As this smoke rises, so too may our prayers rise to you
in thankfulness for your unutterable goodness
that you would create a world
to hold such pleasures as this;
in petition for your continued care and provision;
in praise of your infinite worth,
your selfless condescension,
your saving grace.
[TAKE A MOMENT TO OFFER YOUR OWN PRAYERS AND PRAISES]
As this smoke rises, so too may our worship rise,
a sweet-smelling aroma,
pleasing to you.
[FOR SMOKING ALONE]
May my solitude bring glory to you.
Keep my thoughts pure and attentive
to things commendable and worthy of praise.
In my reading, may I be edified and enlightened.
In my meditation, may I be renewed and transformed.
In my praying, may you be honored above all.
[FOR SMOKING WITH OTHERS]
May our conversation be marked by love,
that each of us might benefit the other
and bring glory to you.
In our laughter, may we be unbridled.
In our sorrows, may we lift each other up.
In our confessions, may we find your forgiveness.
Lord, may the burning of this tobacco
keep us ever in mind of our own frailty
and the temporary vapor of our lives,
for we, too, will return to ash
before we rise again to feast
at the wedding banquet of the Lamb.
Let the knowledge of our at-once finite and infinite end
spur us to a life spent in pursuit of Christ,
in the wholehearted worship of you,
the thrice-holy and Triune God,
in the love of our neighbor,
and in the joy of your world.
May we smoke, as in all we do,
to your glory alone, O God,
for the sake of him
through whom all things were made,
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
©2023 Josh Bishop. Free to use, print, or republish with attribution.
Josh Bishop Writes 