Prayer

God of the ancient of days God of the days to come God of this new day

Help me to praise you in this ‘bleak midwinter’ time.

I would hear you in the music of each raindrop in the soughing of the wind in the wood in the settling of the snowflake as it finds its resting place.

I would see you in the scudding of the clouds in the rushing of the waves in the flight of the birds and the foraging of wintering creatures.

I would feel you in the warmth of a hearth in the touch of a loving friend in the laughter of children and the beauty of a starlit sky.

BUT WHEN I CANNOT and your presence is hidden in the cares of the day in the fears for the future in the sounds of war and crying pain and hatred Help me to trust that you hear me that you see me that you feel what I feel.

For you are one with the raindrop with the wave with the snowflake and the wild ones.

You lie down with the children of pain with all who suffer with all who weep with all who grieve.

In this ‘bleak midwinter’ time you are our hope at the threshold of this New Year.

This moment in eternity is held in your embrace. We are seen and heard and loved and somehow all will be well.

Amen.