23rd. May. Daily Devotion.
20th May 2020 A Candle in the Window Peter Millar
Words to encourage us in tough times. ionacottage@hotmail.com
History will remember:
History will remember when the world stopped
And the cars parked in the street, and the trains didn’t run.
History will remember when the schools closed, and the children stayed home,
And the medical staff walked towards the fire and they didn’t run.
History will remember when people sang on their balconies, in isolation,
But so much together in courage and song.
History will remember when people fought for their old and weak,
And protected the vulnerable by doing nothing at all.
History will remember when the virus left, and the houses opened
And the people came out and hugged and kissed and started again.
Kinder than before.
Donna Ashworth whose beautiful words have been circulated by Amnesty International
Everything can be taken from us, but one thing. That is to choose one’s own attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.
Several years ago, I saw these words by Victor Frankl in Saint Columba’s Hospice Chapel, Edinburgh. The Hospice has been for many years a place of love, light and hope for those facing a terminal health condition.
The events throughout the world have led us to reflect on how none of us can know what the days or months will bring, but we all have a responsibility for how we respond.
These words were written almost 20 years ago by a friend, Lynda Wright who at that time was running a Christian retreat house in Scotland. They could easily be words for today in the midst of the lockdowns.
*** Nothing spoke but the absence. ***
Fadwa Tuqan in her poem “A Mountainous Journey” which was first published in English by The Women’s Press London in 1990.
This I know: My life in Your hands, I have nothing to fear. I stop, breathe, listen. Beneath the whirl of what is, is a deep-down quiet place. You beckon me to tarry there. This is the place where unnamed hungers are fed, the place of clear water, of refreshment. My senses stilled; I drink deeply at home in timeless territory. In the midst of all that troubles, that threatens and diminishes, you set abundance before me. You lift my head; my vision clears. The blessing cup overflows. This I know: You are my home and my hope, my strength and my solace and so shall You ever be. This is an interpretation of Psalm 23 by Carla A Gross-Miller. Her book is Psalms Redux: Poems and Prayers published by Canterbury Press UK.
Psalm Fragment
6Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
8 The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
9 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them for ever. Psalm 28:6-9
Prayers for the lonely
Lord Jesus, the world is full of lonely people who are weary and burdened, alone and afflicted. Be gracious to each hurting soul I pray and ask that many may find their comfort and strength in you who came to earth to carry our burdens, heal our brokenness, and set us free from life’s’ bondage. You have promised to give Your precious rest and perfect peace to all who look to You.
Fulfil Your many promises to those that are lonely and afflicted I pray. Set the lonely in families free as Your Word has decreed and lead the prisoners forth with singing!
And Lord, You have promised that even though mother, father and all our loved ones leave us You will never ever leave us nor forsake us. Thank You for the many precious promises that are specially for those who are lonely. and we pray that You will meet each one in their place of need – this we ask in Jesus’ name, Amen
Thank you that you see us right where we are, during our pain and struggle, in the middle of our desert land. Thank you that you have not forgotten us and never will. Forgive us for not trusting you, for doubting your goodness, or not believing that you are really there. We choose to set our eyes on you today. We choose joy and peace when the whispered lies come and say that we should have no joy or peace.
Thank you that you care for us and your love over us is so great. We confess our need for you. Fill us fresh with your Spirit, renew our hearts and minds in your truth. We ask for your hope and comfort to heal our hearts where they have been broken. Give us the courage to face another day, knowing that with you before us and behind us, we have nothing to fear, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
