You Say/God Says

I came across a copy of an email that I’ve seen many times over the years, but I happened to read it differently this time. The original email contains the phrases “You say/God Says” at each line and also makes note of the scripture where it can be found in the Bible, which is very handy. However, reading it without all the extra distractions today, it sounded different to me. I think many of the phrases felt familiar to my own prayer life at times and can even be read as one continuous litany:

"It's impossible."
All things are possible.

"I'm too tired."
I will give you rest

"Nobody really loves me."
I love you.

"I can't go on."
My grace is sufficient.

"I can't figure things out."
I will direct your steps.

"I can't do it."
You can do all things.

"I'm not able."
I am able.

"It's not worth it."
It will be worth it.

"I can't forgive myself."
I FORGIVE YOU.

"I can't manage."
I will supply all your needs.

"I'm afraid."
I have not given you a spirit of fear.

"I'm always worried and frustrated."
Cast all your cares on ME.

"I don't have enough faith."
I've given everyone a measure of faith.

"I'm not smart enough."
I give you wisdom.

"I feel all alone."
I will never leave you nor forsake you.

(author unknown)

Our inner voices may mislead and beat us down, but as Joan Chittister states:

“When I am feeling battered by life

– sometimes even life at its best –

I take a deep breath and remember that though God is in all of it,

God is also greater than all of it.”

Lord, Please Keep Their Lamp Burning

As I prayed for a special someone today, words didn’t come easily for me. What might they need to get through their day? How could the prayer I lifted up be more specific to their needs instead of my more typical “please bless so-and-so”? I imagined that their walk today might feel like one where darkness becomes easier for their mind to focus on than light.

So I prayed that where the darkness of pain, fear, uncertainty, doubt and more encroached, God would shine His brilliant light of faith, hope and love as a beacon to guide them.

Even in
the uttermost
depths of darkness,
I see before me

your light of hope;
your light of faith,
and your light of love
burning deep within me,

Giving me
an unspeakable,
peaceful
assurance,
Knowing you will perform
what you have spoken.
~Kathy Troccoli

“[Jesus] is beyond our seeing, but in the darkness where we stand, we see, thanks to him, something of the path that stretches out from the door, something of whatever it is that keeps us trying more or less to follow the path even when we can hardly believe that it goes anywhere worth going or that we have what it takes to go there…”
~Frederick Buechner

My friend, Jerry, writes about a light too, this week, at his Celtic Crossings blog. You can read it here.