Take It To The Lord In Prayer

Fretting is not my friend.

She woke me up in the middle of the night, presenting me with a package of nagging worry.  Something for me to fret over, rehearse again and again, incidents to pick apart.  The worry kept me company for far too long.

I slowly began to pray, remembering Ken's sermon Sunday morning--about the thirst of the Israelites in the desert.  About their worry and fearfulness.  About Moses' trust in the Lord and his striking of the rock.  About the gushing forth of the waters.  With halting words, I prayed.  And I finally returned to sleep. 
Trust is hard for me.  I know it's hard for everyone else.  But that's a thin comfort.

In the shower this morning, I began my obsessive thoughts again.  Again.  Again. 

Through a heaven-sent turn in my thoughts, my mind began to focus on the warm water, the feel of the soap on my skin, on the quiet around me.  And I was thankful.  God reminded me of the power of thankfulness and of our inherent need to give God thanks.  I indeed have much for which to be thankful.

Sitting on the couch to begin my quiet time, my tears began to flow and the old hymn "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" came to me.  The old stanzas and the refrains of my childhood echoed in my head.  And I was comforted. 

God presented me with another gift during my morning time of quiet--a prayer written by David Adam and found in the little book "Through the Year with St. Columba; A Celtic Prayer for Each Week." 

It reads:

Circle me O God,
Keep hope within
Keep despair without
Circle me O God,
Keep peace within
Keep turmoil out
Circle me O God,
Keep strength within
Keep weakness out.

Amen

Amen, amen, amen.

In case you're curious about the hymn, the words are:

1. What a friend we have in Jesus, 
 all our sins and griefs to bear! 
 What a privilege to carry 
 everything to God in prayer! 
 O what peace we often forfeit,
 O what needless pain we bear, 
 all because we do not carry 
 everything to God in prayer. 

2. Have we trials and temptations? 
 Is there trouble anywhere? 
 We should never be discouraged; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Can we find a friend so faithful 
 who will all our sorrows share? 
 Jesus knows our every weakness; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 

3. Are we weak and heavy laden, 
 cumbered with a load of care? 
 Precious Savior, still our refuge; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 
 Take it to the Lord in prayer! 
 In his arms he'll take and shield thee; 
 thou wilt find a solace there.

Text: Joseph M. Scriven, 1820-1886
Music: Charles C. Converse, 1832-1918
Tune: CONVERSE, Meter: 87.87 D