I was reminded recently of a responsive prayer from Celtic Daily Prayer (From the Northumbria Community, revised version, 2000, pp. 22-23) that stirs my hope and strengthens my desire to trust. I hope it does the same for you.
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always kept me
safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.
Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you are silent now,
today I believe.
Lingering over this prayer, something inside me grows very still. My friend, the Lord, feels quite close. It’s as if He thrills to hear me say, “I believe.” It also reminds me of a moment in my journey where I was aware of deep pain, betrayal, unanswered questions, and confusing images I couldn’t even articulate (words failed me). As I sat with the swirl of emotion, and images, my prayer was simply, “Lord, can you make sense of this for me?” His voice was not audible, but what He said was quite clear: “It’s not time. Trust me.”
Holding the unresolved pain and confusion, sitting with Him in a place of intimacy, I was invited into choice. It’s the same choice I have every moment of every day. It’s the kind of thing I too often discover where I chose poorly, or shall I say, faithlessly. And yet, He never stops smiling, never stops inviting, never shames or dismisses me for trying to relieve the pain illegitimately. He wants me to sit with Him in our place of intimacy and “believe.”
So, I am learning to pray… “Lord, You have always… and though it’s not clear… today I believe.”
