Day 348

Scripture

Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. (Romans 8:26-28 MSG) 

Day 348

Imagine yourself in “anytown” Ukraine where for 348 consecutive days your lot has been air raid signals, explosions, death and destruction, power and heat shortages, family upheaval, your adult children engaged in the army, other family members refugees in other nations – and you are left to do whatever is your occupation with what is left of the economy and social infrastructure. And attend the funerals of loved ones.  

I force myself to read news about it to keep me compassionate for the victims of the madness of senseless war. I read the stories of other nations racked with famine, death and conflict which don’t make the headlines. Meanwhile our stories also continue – work, family, hopes and accomplishments, terminal or threatening illness – real joys and sorrows of our own. 

“Silence is the language God best understands” is wisdom from an old monk that helps me with my inability to articulate my hopes and fears for the world, our nation and my family and friends. The Father knows my heart and I don’t need to say what the Good God already knows. Jesus takes the stories I carry and carries them with me. 

Sitting in silence with my coffee, with a story from Jesus’ life keeps me hopeful and compassionate for the needs of others while not being overwhelmed or discouraged. It’s all too much for me to fix but I can help where I am able, and prayer helps direct my actions. 

A Prayer for Today

And now, lest we believe that our praise alone fulfils your purpose, we fall silent and remember him who came because words were not enough. Setting our wisdom, our will, our words aside, emptying our hearts, and bringing nothing in our hands, we yearn for the healing, the holding, the accepting, the forgiving which Christ alone can offer.