The Rivers of Eden

Water, the flowing substance of life, connects us to both Creator and all creation.

My prayer

Creator of Water, may the water within me resonate with the water all around me. Teach me anew how connected all life is on our watery planet.

Biblical touchstones

A river flows out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it divides and becomes four branches. The name of the first is Pishon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good; bdellium and onyx stone are there. The name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one that flows around the whole land of Cush. The name of the third river is Tigris, which flows east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates. Genesis 2:10-14

Invitation to prayer

Remember a stream, a river, a lake, an ocean that has meaning for you. Rest with the picture of it in your imagination. Sense how it refreshes you. Give thanks.

Photo

The four branches of the River that flowed out of the Garden of Eden as depicted by thirteenth century sculptors. The outer left voussoir of the central bay of the north porch at the Chartres Cathedral in France.

Related posts on the creation sculptures at the Chartres Cathedral

The Creation of Eve

The Animals, Fish, and Birds of the Garden of Eden

God Creates Humanity (Day 6 of Creation at Chartres)

Adam, Safe and Securely Created (Day 6 of Creation at Chartres)

God Loving Adam into Being (Day 6 of Creation at Chartres)

Animal Connections (Day 6 of Creation at Chartres)

The Garden of Eden

God Creating the Garden of Eden

The Animals Created by God (Day 6 of Creation at Chartres)

God Creating the Animals (Day 6 of Creation at Chartres)

God Imagining Humanity (Day 5 of Creation at Chartres)