Peace in a Storm

When are lives are roiled by circumstances beyond our control, how can we find peace?

Robert Louis Stevenson once told about an experience his grandfather had on a sailing ship in the midst of a terrible storm.  When the storm was at its fiercest and the danger was greatest, his grandfather carefully walked out on deck to see how bad things really were.

What he saw brought him comfort.  There was the captain of the ship lashed with ropes to the wheel, holding the vessel off the rocks.  The captain looked up and smiled, and his smile completely reassured the frightened passenger.  Going back to his cabin, he said to himself:  "We shall come through; I saw the pilot smile!"

When we sail troublesome seas, we need to remember who the Captain is.  Christmas reminds us that our Captain is at the wheel and is smiling.  Isn't that what Immanuel means -- "God is with us"?

Sara McLachlan's "O Little Town of Bethlehem"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyPMDD8fGeA

A Prayer for a Quiet and Listening Spirit

François Fénelon said:  "How rare it is to find a soul quiet enough to hear God speak."  Things haven't changed much, have they?  The beloved carol is profound in its wisdom . . .

How quietly, how quietly the wondrous gift is giv'n! So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav'n.  No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive Him, still, the dear Christ enters in.

"Father God, during this busy week and month, help me to be patient enough -- and to pause long enough -- to hear your voice.  Help me to turn off the TV and to tune Your Spirit.  Help me to receive anew Your best gift of all, Your Son, Jesus, in my heart and in my soul.  To You be all glory and praise!  Amen."

Another Prayer for Advent (Or a Prayer as We Grow Older)

An antidote for being circumstantially directed (see my previous post) can be found in a prayer from the diary of Samuel Logan Brengle.  Brengle was a well-known Salvation Army preacher, but, as an adult, he continually battled depression which began with a head injury when a homeless man hit him with a brick.

Keep me, O Lord, from waxing mentally and spiritually dull and stupid.  Help me to keep the physical, mental, and spiritual fiber of the athlete, of the man who denies himself daily and takes up his cross and follows Thee.  Give me good success in my work, but hide pride from me.  Save me from the self-complacency that so frequently accompanies success and prosperity.  Save me from the spirit of sloth, of self-indulgence, as physical infirmities and decay creep upon me. 

                (Clarence Hall, Portrait of a Prophet: The Biography of Samuel Logan Brengle, 1933)

His biographer commented, "Thus praying daily and hourly, the prophet kept his passions hot and his eye single, even as he came down the decline."

Lord Jesus Christ, save me from self-complacency and free me from the spirit of sloth and self-indulgence.  Help me to be pure in heart and single-eyed in my commitment to your purpose.  "Your Kingdom come, and your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven."  Amen.