[The flowers in front of our lectern on Sunday were from the previous day’s memorial service for our Maintenance Director, Todd Bradford. During the memorial service, people shared how they will remember Todd. Some of the comments included: “He was a hard worker.” He could fix anything.” “He was a loving dad.” “He had a great smile.” It’s interesting that the title of the sermon on Sunday was “How Do You Want to Be Remembered?” Click here for the sermon. That’s an important question for all of us to ponder as we seek to be the people God has called us to be.]
O God, help us to live out the words of our prayer hymn where you invite us to still our souls. Still our souls through our grief and pain. Still our souls through the thorny ways. Still our souls as we face the waves and winds of life.
Still our souls when we read troubling scripture passages like the one we are focusing on today from the life of David. They teach us what it means to keep trusting in you even when life gets messy and complicated. Remind us that a day is coming when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, sorrow forgot, and love’s purest joys restored. We long for that day, O God, and until then, we will keep singing this hymn, “Be Still, My Soul.”
Still the soul of the man looking for work. Still the soul of the single parent trying to make ends meet. Still the soul of the woman waiting on test results. Still the soul of the child being raised in an uncaring home. Still the soul of the person who is trying to overcome an addiction. Still the soul of the politician who is wrestling with doing the most helpful and caring thing, rather than just doing what the majority of people want. Still the soul of our nation as we continue to struggle with the ugly reality of racism and hate speech. Still the souls of your people, O God.
You still our souls when we take time to reflect on your Word and pray. You still our souls when we serve others. You still our souls when we receive encouragement from a friend. You still our souls when we confess our sins and receive your forgiveness. You still our souls when we step out in faith knowing that you are by our side. You still our souls when we simply sit in silence. (Moments of Silence)
As this hour hastens on, teach us to pray the words that Jesus taught us to pray…
“Our Father, who art in heaven…”
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