Enver Rahmanov
Prayer of compassion
The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.
The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works. Psalm 145:8-9
How grateful I am to be able to turn to the Lord and know I will be welcomed with kindness and compassion, particularly on a day like today when I am in great need of comfort.
James Moriarty
Fig Tree in Spring, 2005
Everyone I talk to has something difficult to bear: the death of someone dear to them, grave illness in the family, loss of income, oppressive work conditions, the lessening of physical abilities, coping with addiction.
Add to that rampant anti-Semitism, racism, prejudice, selfishness, greed, and indifference to the poor, homeless, refugees, and immigrants—and the world seems unsafe, unloving, and ready to implode.
It is a time of terrible grief where anger, blame, and depression dominate.
Today I will be a part of God’s vision of love and compassion. I will offer comfort and kindness to everyone I meet because I know we are all grieving something.
I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed. Psalm 16:8
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Harry Fenn (1845-1911)
Caesarea Philippi (Banias)
Watercolor, gouache, brown ink, and graphite on light brown wove paper
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Even the low times contain a stillpoint of joy. The Lord is right there in the moment. I do not walk alone.
Gracious is the Lord and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The Lord keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
Psalm 116:5-6
Amish farm field, wheat up in shocks
By Nyttend (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness. Psalm 51:3
Carl Wilhelm Friedrich Oesterley (1805–1891)
Israel Mourns Near the Waters of Babylon
Despite the pain, suffering, and grief that may be today’s burden, let me not forget to give thanks for the gifts of family, friends, and unexpected kindnesses.
By the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
we hung up our harps. Psalm 137:1-2
The language of God is silence. I must be silent, too, in order for my heart to hear and accept what the Lord is teaching me.
Then they came to Capernaum, and on the sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. Mark 1:21
