My imagination can be vivid at times, but never has it entered into my thinking that I’d live through a global pandemic of this magnitude. Never did I envision being away from family and friends while being restricted at home. Never did I foresee that every single pollen-driven sneeze would have me reaching for a thermometer. I was working in the infectious disease department of a city hospital during the 1980s but was never afraid for my friends who were on the front lines of patient contact. Everyone was able to use appropriate precautions, make smart decisions, and be at minimal risk.
COVID-19 is different. I’m older than I’d like to be and have lousy lungs even on a good day. This virus makes me feel like I’m on the rabbit end of a hawk hunt. The tension is palpable, the predator is airborne, I’m vulnerable to the enemy, and there’s no way to know if I’m the target of the day.
How appropriate that the lectionary scripture for today is Psalm 143! This prayer is a cry for deliverance from the enemy. “Save me, O Lord, from my enemies; I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path. For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life. In your righteousness bring me out of trouble. In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant.” (Psalm 143:9-12, NRSV)
As I read the psalm, my eyes particularly landed on “teach me to do your will.” I was immediately reminded of Jesus’ teaching on how to pray. Many of us were taught The Lord’s Prayer as children and are able to say it by heart today. “Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
I think if Jesus had been a Southern American, we may have heard his prayer more like: Heavenly Father, your name is holy. May your kingdom come and may we always work to do your will here on earth just as it is in heaven. Bless us with food on our table today, and remind us to forgive each other just like you forgive us. Help us to avoid urgings, and keep us out of trouble. All this we pray because the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen.
However we say it, all the pieces are there to alleviate some stress and feelings of helplessness. Jesus has given us the words, the thoughts, the teachings, the tools, the very prayer we need to keep us grounded and reminded that God has power over all things on earth. When I pray, I feel a little less like the rabbit - timid and skittish - and a little more like the hawk - strong and soaring.
Many parents these days teach their children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song as they wash their hands. The goal is to ensure the hands are being washed for a length of time that is appropriate for killing the most germs. These days, I’m hearing of a new and wonderful trend: pray The Lord’s Prayer each time we wash our hands. The length is great for effective germ killing. The words are a familiar comfort, and we spend some intentional time with God. I think of prayer as an appropriate precaution, helping me to make smart decisions and be at minimal risk from worldly influences. Merging prayer time with health efforts sounds like a level path for God’s servants.
Washing and praying,
Pastor Beth
COVID-19 is different. I’m older than I’d like to be and have lousy lungs even on a good day. This virus makes me feel like I’m on the rabbit end of a hawk hunt. The tension is palpable, the predator is airborne, I’m vulnerable to the enemy, and there’s no way to know if I’m the target of the day.
How appropriate that the lectionary scripture for today is Psalm 143! This prayer is a cry for deliverance from the enemy. “Save me, O Lord, from my enemies; I have fled to you for refuge. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good spirit lead me on a level path. For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life. In your righteousness bring me out of trouble. In your steadfast love cut off my enemies, and destroy all my adversaries, for I am your servant.” (Psalm 143:9-12, NRSV)
As I read the psalm, my eyes particularly landed on “teach me to do your will.” I was immediately reminded of Jesus’ teaching on how to pray. Many of us were taught The Lord’s Prayer as children and are able to say it by heart today. “Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
I think if Jesus had been a Southern American, we may have heard his prayer more like: Heavenly Father, your name is holy. May your kingdom come and may we always work to do your will here on earth just as it is in heaven. Bless us with food on our table today, and remind us to forgive each other just like you forgive us. Help us to avoid urgings, and keep us out of trouble. All this we pray because the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen.
However we say it, all the pieces are there to alleviate some stress and feelings of helplessness. Jesus has given us the words, the thoughts, the teachings, the tools, the very prayer we need to keep us grounded and reminded that God has power over all things on earth. When I pray, I feel a little less like the rabbit - timid and skittish - and a little more like the hawk - strong and soaring.
Many parents these days teach their children to sing the “Happy Birthday” song as they wash their hands. The goal is to ensure the hands are being washed for a length of time that is appropriate for killing the most germs. These days, I’m hearing of a new and wonderful trend: pray The Lord’s Prayer each time we wash our hands. The length is great for effective germ killing. The words are a familiar comfort, and we spend some intentional time with God. I think of prayer as an appropriate precaution, helping me to make smart decisions and be at minimal risk from worldly influences. Merging prayer time with health efforts sounds like a level path for God’s servants.
Washing and praying,
Pastor Beth