New Strength from a Steadfast God

 

 

Scripture:   Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness;

                           answer me in your righteousness…

                     For the enemy has pursued me,

                            crushing my life to the ground,

                            making me sit in darkness like those long dead….

                      Therefore, my spirit faints within me;

                            my heart within me is appalled…

                       I remember the days of old,…

                       Let me hear of your steadfast love in the morning,

                             for in you I put my trust.

                        Teach me the way I should go,

                             for to you I lift up may soul. (Psalm 143: 1, 3, 4, 5a, 8 – NRSV)

 

Devotional Thought:

 

Having been told I cannot be with my husband during his treatment, I sit in a waiting room alone. Second type of cancer, third type of chemo being used. What will this bring? How to juggle work and husband care? Will coordination of medical appointments and class times be possible? Does the house need to be rearranged again to accommodate new needs? What if this chemo does not work? Thoughts race and become overwhelming. I feel ground down. Is there anything left to give? I do what I have been taught to do. I turn to God in prayer. Soon I start to feel all the other prayers in the hospital being lifted up by others and for others.

    Suddenly, I find myself starting to pray for people I do not even know. A person is just brought in on a stretcher, what are they facing? God be with them. A man sitting alone across the room, is he having treatment or is a loved one? God, you know his needs give him strength. A young woman solemnly talking on the phone, is the concern about a parent or a child? God you know her concern give her the words she needs.

    Thoughts turn back to my experience. God has been good. Wally walked our daughter down the aisle. He has been able to play with three grandchildren. It has been 21 years since his very first cancer diagnosis. Yes, God has been steadfast never giving more than we can handle. I trust God to provide the right timing in all things. Due to COVID, my job is more flexible and working from home while giving care is possible.

     Suddenly, I find myself giving thanks and praise to God. Then I hear a nurse say, “Here you go, he is all done. Ready to go home.”  And now, yes, I have the strength to go on. God has taught me the way I should go.

 

I wonder, what if I had never been taught to pray.

I wonder, why praying for others is so renewing.

I wonder, how to share this joy with others.

 

Prayer:

Dear God, you are faithful in your steadfastness.

Help me to turn to you in prayer.

Help me to pray for others.

Fill me with strength and newness.

That I may be faithful to you in my steadfastness to others.

Amen.

 

Thoughts for my younger friends after the scripture is read to them:

I wonder, have you ever prayed for someone.

I wonder, has someone prayed with you today.

I wonder, how you feel when you pray.

I wonder, has someone taught you how to pray.

 

By Lynne Pabst, Certified Christian Educator