Peace Moment, Meditation and Prayer for November 14

by Steve Bolie

The scripture reading for tonight, describes the woman Hannah who is unable to have children so is missing out on motherhood. First Samuel 1:7-8 says: “Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad?” 

In the middle of the pandemic I was feeling sad about not being able to spend time with our grandchildren, ages 9, 13, 14, 15, and 18, during this important time in their development. I was fretting (in other words, obsessing) and getting down-hearted about it. I also thought about not being able to volunteer to deliver food to recently homeless because of health risks. I was getting more and more impatient with the situation. Of course there was nothing I could do about it except stay healthy. One morning I read Matthew 6:33–34 from The Message. In these verses of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus says, “Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out” (emphasis added). DON’T WORRY ABOUT MISSING! My first reaction was something like, “Wow! Jesus said this two milenia  ago just for me, for us, to read in this time of pandemic.” Amid all the concerns about the virus, high-positivity rates, death counts, and community spread, we can be at prace, assured that in our life with God we “don’t (need to) worry about missing out” on what is important. My second reaction was: I must remember this promise and be comforted by it. This has been a nearly daily blessing. I have felt confronted, too, especially those days when I would have preferred to wallow in self-pity for a while. Even then, the promise breaks through, and I can move on. It is a frequent reminder that we can be at peace as we trust that God will provide and bless

Peace Meditation

How has God comforted me when I felt I was missing out on something important?

Prayer for peace

Comforting God Sometimes we feel like life is passing us by; like we are missing out on important events. The past months have felt like years of separation, limited opportunities, concern and even loss. Comfort us, we pray,  when these feelings of sadness and frustration threaten to overwhelm. Give us strength and courage for such times. We trust your promises; help our trusting in difficult times. Welcome us into rest in the peace of Jesus Christ, the peaceful one, in whose name we pray, amen.