Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God.
Psalm 43:5
While reading Prayers for Help and Healing by William Barclay this prayer entitled For Hopespoke to me and I would like to share it with you.
O God,
It is very difficult to keep on hoping, when nothing seems to be happening.
And it is even more difficult when there seem to be more setbacks than progress.
Help me to have the hope that nothing can put out.
After all, even on the darkest night, no one ever doubts that the morning will come again; and in the hardest winter no one ever doubts that spring is never far behind.
Help me to think of the skill you have given to those whose task it is to heal, and of the essential toughness of this human body of mine.
Help me to remember that for you and with you nothing is impossible.
And help me to remember always that I have a hope that does not stop with this world, but goes on forever.
In everyday life we have our good days and our not so good days. During these not normal times we have our good days and our not good days, that is normal. We all need to remember that this quarantine will end, although not as soon as we would like, and we will have our normal lives again. We need to remember that God is with us during all of this and that God is at work during all of this, in countless ways.
Our church is doing God’s work by feeding those in need, by connecting with those feeling alone and cut off, by offering a listening ear to those grieving and by offering hope, by continuing praising and worshipping a God who loves us more than life itself, and countless other ways. What a blessing to be a part of a church that keeps the faith and walks the walk during times when it is not easy to do so.
Remember, that we are Easter people and we live with hope even during difficult times. God calls us to help others, and to show that hope and in turn often increases our own hope while helping others. Keep connecting with others and when God puts someone on your heart and mind give them a call or send them a note.
May you feel the love and peace of Christ, Suzanne