And gently lead those that are with young. Isaiah 40:11

Thursday, September 10, 2009

A Prayer For Calm

God be gracious to us and bless us,
And cause His face to shine upon us---Selah.
(Psalm 67:1)

Lord, we are gathered around our Standard. We are bowed before our great God who offers His peace when so many panic. You are our refuge, our chasah. Rivet that into our minds. Show us how to pause, and let it sink in. Remind us of Your power and presence when the songs in the evening change into the fearful tears of the night. Remind us of that when the shrill ring of the phone awakens us. Remind us of that when we sit down and read the morning headlines. Remind us, oh great God, that You are our refuge and strength. Remind us, even when we don't understand the why of what's happening, that we have no reason to fear, that we need not be moved, and that our future is never uncertain with You.

Author Unknown

Friday, September 4, 2009

We Have Only Today

As we approach 9/11's anniversary, newly declassified photographs of the events at Ground Zero have been released.

The images bring it all back. They remind us of the thousands who said good bye to their families and friends that morning and boarded the ill-fated planes or went to work at the Pentagon and World Trade Center.

And they reminded me of something I read many years ago. Three little questions:

1) Who would you call if you learned you had only 3 minutes left to live?

2) What would you say?

3) Why are you waiting?


PRAYER: Lord, I ask You to fit my tongue with your readiness and grace. Help me tell the ones I love how much they mean to me. Help me reach out to those with whom I am in disagreement so that we may find forgiveness and peace. Guide my thoughts, intentions and words. Help me to remember that each day is a precious gift that You have made. Give me Your eternal perspective so that I can see how my time upon this earth is to be used, and how I may live it in mercy and love. Amen.

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." Mother Teresa