Do you need to be still?
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10
Friends, as you will probably soon recognize, this prayer is based on the hymn, “Be Still My Soul.”
Precious Jesus, Never-Changing God, Holy Spirit our Constant Companion,
Thank you for your constant kindness,
your loyal friendship,
your dependable aid…
to be able to call you our best friend,
our “heavenly friend…”
Can we be so bold?
Yes, we can!
Because you have first called us “friend” (John 15:12-15).
You know that we are busy ones,
more constant in commotion than compassion.
You know we find it hard to sit still,
to soak our souls
in the sunlight
of your presence.
You know how quickly we grab our phones,
assuring ourselves
we only want to check the weather
or to read the daily prayer,
then ten minutes later find ourselves
immersed in the words,
the images,
the reels
that leave us reeling.
Bring us back:
clasp our hands,
clamp our ears,
close our eyes,
that our souls may be stilled,
that we may stop and see—
you, our friend.
Our heavenly friend,
the One who laid down your life
for your friends.
The One who “bore the cross, the grief, the pain,”
that we might call you friend;
that you might bring us
to our “joyful end.”
So very gratefully we pray.
Amen.
Read Psalm 46.
Listen to “Be Still My Soul” here. (Note, this playlist has many versions of the great hymn by Katarina von Schlegel, so you can choose your favorite.)
