Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Comfort

Engulfed in darkness

no glimmer of promise

instincts assert command

body, mind, stilled

into submission.

Enveloped by circumstances

heartbeat races, grasps connect to

insight radar, whether by

courage or fear reaches

internal light that

holds foundation firm

comfort His surety.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.”

Have you ever noticed how often in movies or novels that characters (and especially children) instinctively begin to hum or chatter when they find themselves in a dark place? We don’t often go into the dark unarmed. Even when we appreciate the beauty found in a dark night, listening for nocturnal nature, admiring the stars or soaking in the quiet.

Yet behind the scenes a touch of fear stays at that which we cannot see, that which we cannot identify or see coming. Like the darkness of soul or mind or body that suddenly engulfs us changing our present into a closure, our future into chaos.

The prophets remind us that in God there is no darkness at all—neither physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, or any other form we find ourselves walking through. He readily gives us His strength to make choices, decisions and reactions when we falter. And gives us hope to not be crushed by the darkness that lurks around us.

Lord, prepare our hearts to turn instinctively to You when the shadows form. Help us to walk in praise and thanksgiving knowing You are present and walking alongside.

“Prayer was not separate from poetry and song.” Esther de Waal

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 107:14-15

“He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

And broke their bands apart.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for His lovingkindness,

And for His wonders to the sons of men!”

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 22:21, And you shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.

World news, national news, local news shout war, disease, violence. We close our ears, cushion our activities, cocoon our families. Where is a safe place? Who can we trust?

Tighter and tighter we draw our circle of acquaintances, acceptable arenas, attitudes. No admission signs go up in our hearts and homes.

We feel safer in our comfort zones.

We close out others in need.

To whom do the lonely turn? To whom do the strangers turn? To whom do the seeking turn?

Who were we Lord until You opened Your arms to us? Outcasts lost in sin and darkness. Obstacles of unbelief to Your children. Oppressors of the poor and weak. Until Your love and grace showed us a new land.

Lord, I need Your help to become less judgmental, less critical and more loving. I’ve let the fear of the world freeze concern for others. Remind me when I too was a stranger and You took me in.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 146:9

The Lord protects the strangers;
He supports the fatherless and the widow;

Leaving Egypt Behind

Scripture: Exodus 6:9, So Moses spoke thus to the sons of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses on account of their despondency and cruel bondage.

Moses spoke to Israel dependable hope. Listen to what God declares. Beaten, defeated, Israel remained deaf. Their suffering had so engulfed them, they couldn’t hear that help was near.

There are times when we struggle to keep afloat, then suddenly, weariness and discouragement overwhelm us. Messengers bring comfort, but we still begin to sink under the waves. The sustainers are bewildered. How can we support when our word are deflected by a wall of pain? How do we relay that deliverance is at hand?

Many years ago my mother weathered her initial bout with cancer against enormous odds. In comparison, her second battle was a minor skirmish, a preventive measure, but she spiraled emotionally out of control descending into a depression, which was more of a threat than the cancer. Nothing helped. Family, friends, doctors were immobilized in their efforts. We prayed. Her medical staff discovered a chemical imbalance, a side effect from her treatments. Supported, sustained, strengthened, she returned to a place where words gave her the courage she needed. To live, to enjoy ten more abundant years.

Thank you Lord, for Your continual comfort. When we cannot even lift our eyes to You-You give us prayers to hold us up. Create in me the compassion and commitment to pray always.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 124:1,4

Had it not been the Lord who was on our side,

Let Israel now say,

Then the waters would have engulfed us,

The stream would have swept over our soul;