Tough Life

As I enter this time of prayer, I repeat the words of Psalm 18:28–29, slowly, several times, making them my prayer to God:

‘You, LORD, keep my lamp burning;

my God turns my darkness into light.

With your help I can advance against a troop;

with my God I can scale a wall.’

Pause and repeat

‘Perhaps we should accept what older people and poorer people and many of those with disabilities already know: things are probably going to be very difficult today and just as hard tomorrow. Maybe by adjusting our expectations we can reduce the sense of disappointment, isolation, and unfairness riding on the back of unanswered prayer. With a business-as-usual approach to life’s trials, the good times can become surprising and delightful. It will be our blessings more than our sufferings that provoke us to ask God, “Why?”’*

In John 16:33, Jesus promises His disciples both trouble and peace.

Pause to read the bible passage

Which do I find more surprising: life’s trials or its blessings? If I’d been born at a different time in history or in a different part of the world, how might I relate differently to the difficulties I face?

Pause and reflect

I give thanks to the Lord now for the ‘common grace’ of the world’s essential goodness, and the particular signs of His kind- ness towards me today.

Pause and pray

As I bring this time with God to a close, I pray Christ’s prayer in Gethsemane. Naming my greatest desire and my deepest dread before the Lord one last time, I join with Jesus in His ultimate prayer of surrender:

‘Abba, Father … everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me’ (Mark 14:36a).

I ask for a miracle.

‘Yet not my will, but yours be done’ (Luke 22:42b).

I relinquish control.

Amen.

* Pete Greig, God on Mute, David C Cook, (Colorado Springs, 2020), p133