Martin Luther writes, “Prayer is a very precious medicine, one that helps and never fails.” In this time, this season, where it is possible that anxiety overrides our lives, I have found myself in prayer a lot. Maybe you as well?

When we are in conversation with God, how often are we surprised or find joy in the response? How often do we wonder if God is listening or if we will receive the response we are seeking? Might it be that God is healing our hearts, hearing our concerns, calming our fears, encouraging joy through those around us even in our very act of reaching out in prayer, in conversation with God? Burdens may become lighter. Joy turns to gratitude and praise. Trust and faith grow. We are again reminded that God is always with us.

- Pastor Cheryl Szabo

A Prayer from Thomas Merton

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road, though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always, though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone. Amen

Permission granted on 5/27/2020 for use of Thomas Merton Prayer by The Thomas Merton