I usually turn to the Bible to read it, forgetting how it can also be prayed.
On a day when I’m feeling gloomy, I find myself picking out something from Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian. Let me take it—and pray it—phrase by phrase:
Rejoice always (1Thessalonians 5:6). Always? Yes, always. In good times and bad times. When Covid-19 seemed to be waning and now on days when its menace feels never-ending.
Paul is asking me to rejoice, and I have to look hard. I rejoice in my family, the richness of good friends and most importantly the never-ending love of God. God’s love is here always and that’s cause for rejoicing. Would that I could sing it out loud. Maybe I will.
Pray without ceasing. At first, that sounds like an incalculable burden. When would I find the time? And how could I possibly pray without ceasing? There’s too much going on in my life.
Unless I added prayer to whatever was and is going on in my life. Like last night, washing the dishes. I noticed a glint of light on one of the spoons and the bloom of some suds. I listened to the water coming out of the tap, watched it wash away the soap. The way God washes away all those failings that burden me so.
Gone down the drain.
There it was. Praying without ceasing. Without even knowing I was doing it. Prayer is simply acknowledging God in your world. What joy to do that all the time.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. All circumstances? Isn’t that a stretch?
Then I remember reading something someone says—I’ve even said it myself—about writing down the things you’re grateful for. I think of how my friend Debbie Macomber keeps a gratitude journal and puts down five things in it. Everyday. Five things to be grateful for.
I’ve done that before. And then got out of the habit. Maybe I need to do it now.
I found the small notebook and started reading. Oh, my goodness, there were almost 150 things I’d put down (okay, sometimes the same thing twice). A TV show we like to watch. The oatmeal I have for breakfast. The gift of email and how easy it is to get in touch with people all over the world. The pleasure of blogging.
Not only does it feel good to write those things down, it’s fun to look back and see what I’ve written. Double the thanks in that. Triple the thanks.
Our circumstances change from day to day, sometimes from hour to hour. What doesn’t change? God’s enduring love.
Let me put that down. Right now.
Feeling gloomy? Having a down day? Turn to a Bible verse. Let it speak to you. Let it guide how you live.
