In isolation we may face one of our biggest fears; Ourselves.
Take a walk outside and read the following prayer.
Reflect on the words below adapted from a meditation
by Abbe Michel Quoist,
noting the smells and the sounds around you.
Feel the wind, the rain, the snow or the sunshine on your skin.
Remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made.
"Lord, Deliver Me From Myself" - Abbe Michel Quoist {adapted by PHNC}
Lord, do you hear me?
I’m suffering dreadfully, Locked in myself, Prisoner of myself, I hear nothing but my own voice, I see nothing but myself,
nothing.
Lord, do you hear me?
Deliver me from my mind;
it is full of itself,
of its ideas, its opinions.
Alone,
I am bored I am weary
I would like to get away, Walk, run to another land.
But I can't.
"Stay Home. Stay Safe. Save Lives" Lord, I cannot get away,
I feel imprisoned.
But that prison itself feels safe.
I don't want to leave my prison. My prison is myself.
Lord, Lord, do you hear me? Lord, show me the door, Take me by the hand. Open the door. Show me the way, the path leading to Home, to Safely, to Life.
God speaking...
The man whispered, “God, speak to me” and a meadowlark sang.
But, the man did not hear.
So, the man yelled, “God speak to me” and the thunder rolled across the sky.
But, the man did not listen.
The man looked around and said, “God let me see you” and a star shined brightly.
But, the man did not see.
And the man shouted, “God show me a miracle” and a life was born.
But, the man did not notice.
So the man cried out in despair, “Touch me God”, and let me know you’re here” whereupon God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
We pray for all whose loneliness is made worse
by laughter and other people’s joy:
for bereaved people hurting from the death of someone they have loved.
For wives, husbands and children,
whose lives have been broken by family break-up, divorce,
and the dismantling of their hopes.
For older people now living on their own,
some of whom will see nobody.
Lord in their loneliness,
may these know the presence of the Wonderful Counsellor,
who can comfort them through us.
Holy One, into the darkness of fear and loneliness; pour out your radiance, shower down your light, break through pure brilliance, until the darkness is dispelled and our hearts find peace, and the light of hope can shine forth again, fresh and new with this new day.
Amen
