“Lord Jesus, we are constantly shown on television, in the press and at the cinema, the horrors of this world, the evil and perverted behaviour of humanity so that we come close to despair. You, Lord, in your life knew failure, saw people destroy and torture each other. You knew hell on earth as we do, but you did not despair, for you loved humanity and trusted your Father. Keep alight in our hearts the flame of hope, make us to see the beautiful and good things in the world, not just the drab, the squalid and the sordid. Help us to see the goodness in people, and by our love increase this and make it grow and spread among people, for we are your instruments in the world. Make your love and hope shine through us so that the hells of others may be lightened, and they may glimpse something of your glory.”
(Michael Hollings and Etta Gullick)
These words were not written in this past week, though they could so easily have been. They are actually part of a collection of prayers published back towards the latter part of the previous century. And yet how much they speak to us in the context of current events and the many personal tragedies that have resulted from the consequences of pandemic and natural disaster, war, famine, terror, fear and wanton destruction of life, property, country and environment. As we struggle to come to terms with what is going on around us, may we both find comfort in the presence of God and be challenged to be both the light and the salt of the world, so that others may come to focus upon God, just as Jesus called us to be.