Take Heart
By William Johnson of Lansing Correctional Facility, KS, USA
I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up,
and did not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you have healed me.
O Lord, you brought up my soul from Sheol,
restored me to life from among those gone down to the Pit.
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to God’s holy name.
For God’s anger is but for a moment;
God’s favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. —Psalm 30:1–5 NRSV, adapted
When troubles overwhelm us
and we see no end in sight
take heart.
Trust in God’s promise,
a promise repeated many times
in the Bible—five simple words:
“And it came to pass.”
God assures us
nothing ever comes to stay.
Take Heart.
Prayer for Peace
Compassionate God, when we dwell in our troubles, help us remember we need not be trapped in bad times. Time will soon pass, and hope for peace is possible with each new day.
Spiritual Practice: Healing for Broken Spirits
Begin with quiet prayer. Ask God to help you detect some “sore places” in the body of Christ and God’s creation. Become aware of people who feel separated, wounded, or left out. Reflect on or write a short journal entry of healing words to at least one person who comes to mind. Ask God for words that will touch this person’s broken spirit like healing ointment. Keep this person in your heart and prayers today and act on any ideas that come to bring blessing and wholeness.
Peace Covenant
Today, God, I will open myself to your healing light and share my peace with another.
