Lord, you who brought peace in the midst of the storm are the only one who can bring peace to our world today. How much anger we see raging around us, Lord. And the conflicts are not limited to wars on foreign soil. Rather they rage in the hearts and minds of many of us. Be the source of peace in every gathering storm, Lord. You are the Prince of Peace, and we need you desperately. (A Women’s Daily Prayer Book, pg. 187)
Let our Higher Power, the one person or thing that we look up to, guide us and to be there for us when we are angry or afraid of what we might do with our rage.
Let us take a moment this week to realize it is our own devises which create havoc in the world in which we live. It is when we are not listening to the positive voices within us that we act out against another. It is outside negative influences as well, that we allow into our hearts and ultimately destroy us thus destroying those around us.
I know that all of us want to do ‘good’ and we don’t want to harm another. Yet, as we look at the world around us how can we see ‘good’. Right now in this world we need to look for the ‘good’ within ourselves first then we can see it in others and in the world.
This week I have been praying earnestly for those in the Middle East and those who are troubled here in the States. I heard from a friend the other day that another village was taken over by ISIS. They beheaded women and children. My heart cries out to those who are killed by senseless crimes through misguided beliefs. Then we hear of a preacher and others gunned down in a church by a young man. I ask myself when will it end and then I smile to myself as if to say: “It starts with me.”
See I am a Christian and my Higher Power is God. I pray to Him for all, all of the time. I believe my prayers will be answered. I guess I’m saying we need to have faith in each other. Faith is trust and love which is something that we are not sure of. Faith and belief in a higher power is something intangible which we cannot see, yet we long to believe in something that is good. So have faith in one another and let others help you when you are angry or rage driven.
It’s not easy, it takes courage. Our Higher Power will give it to us, if we ask. I remember talking with an atheist a while back. I let him know I was a Chaplain, he said rather coarsely, “I don’t believe in God.” I said, “OK, so what gives you peace.” He answered, “I like to walk in the woods, look at the trees and feel the light breeze on my face.” I asked, “When you are there in the woods and feel at peace, does it make you feel good? Do you feel better?” He answered as he smiled contently, “Yes, I do.” I said, “See, it is us having faith in something or someone that brings us that inner peace which helps us through our struggles in life. So, when you go home from rehab, remember your favorite place and go there as often as you can.” The gentleman was in an addiction center and as we worked through his support system at home we found what gave him inner peace and ultimately he found his Higher Power.
I believe all of us need and want something which gives us meaning and purpose to live life the best we know how. Pray for those who need it the most, ISIS, the young man in Charleston, all the victims/survivors and for all the families involved. I will be praying for you too.
(momentsofrevelationbySharon.com 6/28/2015)
moments of revelation by sharon 