Devotional – February 7, 2025

A prayer for today:

Today is a hard day for some folks, O God.  Who am I kidding?  It’s been a hard week, even been a hard month.  Kids have been sick, the month of January seemed to last an eternity.  

Some are starting new jobs soon.  Others are readying their resumes as the confusion mounts within our federal and state governments.  These are strong, compassionate people I am praying for, God, and they are ready for a bit of breathing space in a world which seems intent on sucking the very oxygen out of our lungs.

Others are still grieving.  Some are lamenting recent losses, while others still think about those who left this earth decades ago.  They are not seeking to forget, Holy One, but they could use some time when it doesn’t weigh heavily on their mind. 

Others are navigating bureaucracies of all types, governmental, legal, even ecclesiastical.  And they are tired.  They keep pushing themselves and moving one step at a time because they can see that there will be a moment when they receive what they need.  Keep them steady, allow them an extra measure of stamina, and show us how we can help them.  

Others are having trouble growing up, though their chronological age is somewhat advanced.  Habits of their pasts, patterns born in familial and cultural relationships for decades and generations past, have kept them immature, wishing to be treated with special consideration above others.  Teach them, O God, what it means to be responsible for themselves and for others. 

And a whole lot of people are kind of numb right now.  They are moving through their days by laying aside their feelings.  Be present in their heartaches as they see in our culture and in our world events and attitudes which are dishonorable to much of your created ones.

Help us sleep and rest.  Help us, remind us, to nourish our bodies and our spirits.  Remind us to be gracious and loving in all the moments we can.

We thank you, Holy One! And we appreciate the opportunity to say what we need.  In the name of the one who always teaches us to love, Amen. 

Peace Be With You. – Paul