All Things Are Possible

There is a story about a man who was sentenced to death by a king. He managed to get a reprieve by assuring the king he would teach his majesty’s horse to fly within the year. The one condition was that if he failed, he’d be put to death at the end of the year. The man later explained, “Within a year, the king may die, or I may die, or the horse may die. Furthermore, in a year, who knows? Maybe the horse will learn to fly!”

I like the spirit. For people of faith, we have every reason to live this life unafraid and undaunted by our circumstances. Not that we won’t have times of hardship and suffering. We will. But, God will also give us the strength and courage to persevere. God has promised to be with us.

Paul wrote in his second letter to the Corinthians, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken…”

Today I pray that whatever your dilemma, whatever your struggle may be, may you look for God’s hand at work – in the hand of a friend, in the smile of a stranger, in the warm embrace of a loved one, in a kind word or an unexpected gift. May you notice and give thanks. And, may you trust that your life is in God’s hands.

Let us pray: Sometimes O Lord, we get so discouraged. We get so down and out. Today we pray that you would lift our spirits; help us to see beyond the present moment, beyond the darkness. Remove any anxiety or bitterness or anger. Fill those places instead with hope that your joy and peace would flood our lives and spill out into the world around us.

Today, we pray especially for those who find themselves in trying even dangerous situations. We lift up police officers, firefighters, aid workers, and those serving in the military. We ask for courage, for discernment, and for your protection. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.