Nearly always when I pray with individuals or families, groups, colleagues, I pray that we will sense God's presence. Whether in worship or going about one's daily rounds,sensing that one is not alone, but accompanied, feels important to me, and, I sense, to those with whom I pray.
I'm up in the night tonight, praying for and thinking hard about those with whom I had close contact today. I'm aware that the day didn't bring miracles or even peace, and that they and/or their loved ones may also be awake this night, anxious and fearful.
Affirming that God is present and experiencing it are two different things.
Still, it's a heartfelt prayer, that we will sense God's abiding presence, and it's a prayer for all who watch or weep this night.
9 comments:
I was up last night, railing at God, angry and feeling most betrayed. And then my sweet dog wagged her tail and put her face in mine, and my husband put his arm around me and held me close, and I fell back asleep trying to remember that God is present, and I am blessed.
I hope somehow that those you are praying for can feel the same even in the midst of struggle and suffering.
Praying with you that all those who suffer loss, illness, lonliness, etc. will feel God's presence even so.
I've been up in the night a lot lately, thinking about pain in my congregation, uncertainty in my own life....
it's true, affirming god's presence is not the same as experiencing it....
Amen. Blessings upon you.
they are blessed to have you praying on their behalf...
yes, what hot cup said...
I find my self conversing with God often in the night sometimes as I go off to sleep...sometimes when I wake in the night. I don't always feel God's Presence in those moments...but I reach out anyway. I do feel God at other times in prayer or spiritual direction...when I am directing my heart and opening my awareness for the purpose of connecting deeply with Divinity...then are the wonderful moments of awe that happen and catch my breath in surprise...I love those moments when God just shows up unexpectedly!
I always seem to pray for that as well, Jennifer. Like you, it seems central to helping...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
Jennifer, come back!
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