Hi again,
Life is busy. The holidays are coming. There is so much to manage in each one of our lives: work obligations, familial relationships, friends, mental health, supporting our community, financial stress, the list goes on…
In the midst of our difficulties, it can be hard to silence our hearts and minds, and to find the space to remember that God sustains us and shoulders our burdens.
This prayer from Howard Thurman, a modern theologian and civil rights activist, is one that I’ve found pertinent during times when my heart is frantic.
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Your altar!
The quietness in Your temple of silence again and again rebuffs us:
For some there is no discipline to hold them steady in the waiting,
And the minds reject the noiseless invasion of Your spirit.
For some there is no will to offer what is central in the thoughts—
The confusion is so manifest, there is no starting place to take hold.
For some the evils of the world tear down all concentrations
And scatter the focus of the high resolves.
We do not know how to do what we know to do.
We do not know how to be what we know to be.
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Your altar!
Pour out upon us whatever our spirits need of shock, of life, of release
That we may find strength for these days—
Courage and hope for tomorrow.
In confidence we rest in Your sustaining grace
Which makes possible triumph in defeat, gain in loss, and love in hate.
We rejoice this day to say:
Our little lives, our big problems—these we place upon Your altar!Amen
I hope it nourishes you too!
In Christ,
Rebecca and Ope
P.S. We’re hiring an intern
Do you know a college student or recent graduate? We’re looking for a strong writer who is passionate about spiritual discipline to join our team. They can send a resume to hello@beholdprayer.com.