Good morning…
When I wake from my second sleep, I do not flip on the lights. Instead, I plug in the single strand on our Christmas tree. Striking a yummy smelling match, I quietly light candles. One. Two. Three. Four. In darkness, we begin each day. The natural rising of the sun quietly sheds light.
This week, I received a beautiful email explaining the history of a gift given through my longtime friend. “Just before 2014, I had read a book — Praying for Strangers — and was prompted and inspired to write a prayer every day of that year and post it on my FaceBook page,” wrote Vilda. “I did not miss a single day— 365 days. This was the one from December 19, 2014. I am still trying to decide if this will be made into a devotional book of sorts. You are welcomed to use it in full or part with credits.”
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December 19, 2014, Day 353 of Praying for Strangers:
During this season of Light, I am touched by this C. S. Lewis quote:
“We do not truly see light, we only see slower things lit by it.”
Today, Dear God,
Help me see more of those “slower things” that reflect the Light of the World.
The homeless
The hungry
The sick
The broken hearted.
The grieving
The angry
The hurt
The disheartened
The rich
The poor
The deserted
The imprisoned
The free
The happy
The sad
The helpless
The hopeless
The seekers
Bring them more clearly into the path of my vision and shine Your Light upon them that I might see them and their needs more clearly. Adjust the lenses through which we all see life so we are focused on the most important during this holy season. Give us eyes that we might see Your love and glory in all people, situations and things. Lord, hear my prayer. Amen.#prayingforstrangers
© Vilda S Brannen 2014
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Our living room comes to life more slowly as I plug in tree lights, as I strike a match and hold a flame to a few trusty candles. God’s sun peacefully rises on each new day. This morning I join Vilda in her prayer. Might you join us too?
Today, Dear God, help me see more of those “slower things” that reflect the Light of the World.
Hope of all hopes, dream of our dreams,
a child is born, sweet-breathed; a son is given to us: a living gift.
And even now, with tiny features and dewy hair, He is great.
The power of leadership, and the weight of authority, will rest on His shoulders.
His name? His name we’ll know in many ways—
He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Dear Father everlasting, ever-present never-failing,
Master of Wholeness, Prince of Peace.
His leadership will bring such prosperity as you’ve never seen before—
sustainable peace for all time.
This child: God’s promise to David—a throne forever, among us,
to restore sound leadership that cannot be perverted or shaken.
He will ensure justice without fail and absolute equity. Always.
The intense passion of the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies,
will carry this to completion (Isaiah 9:6-7, VOICE).
This Christmas season, may God’s sustainable peace gradually light the room where we live, helping us to see the Light of the World shining on the needs of the “slower things.”
…Sue…
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