Monday, May 4, 2020  

Today’s Hymn
Many and great, O God, are thy works,
Maker of earth and sky.
Thy hands have set the heavens with stars;
thy fingers spread the mountains and plains.
Lo, at thy word the waters were formed.
Deep seas obey thy voice.

“Many and Great, O God, Are Thy Works” (v. 1) by Joseph R. Renville
Hymn 21, Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal

Reflection
For me, this verse evokes beautiful imagery of glittering stars in the night sky, majestic mountains dusted with snow, fields of bright flowers, and brilliantly blue oceans. I find connecting with nature to be particularly calming and grounding during this time. It reminds me how magnificently powerful God is, and it is one of my favorite places to pray.

There are so many things to pray for right now—healing for friends, protection for those on the front lines, strength to weather the storm. As I was praying a few nights ago, I found myself wondering if I was asking for too much. Was I being greedy by asking for so many things? Most of them were for other people, and I made sure to say thank you for things too, so did that balance it out? Then I remembered that there aren’t limits to what I can ask God for.

Maybe that seems obvious, but it’s something I so often forget. Especially during this extraordinarily difficult time for our world, it’s something that’s important, and comforting, to remember. The Bible is filled with people praying for things that could easily seem too big, impossible even—barren women asking for children, Jonah asking for deliverance from the belly of a whale, Daniel asking for protection in the lion’s den. The power of God intervened for people in those impossible situations; I should trust the same can be true for me and the people I lift up in prayer.

Prayer
Generous and loving God, you are the creator of all things and are capable of so much more than we can imagine—and so much more than we give you credit for. In these uncertain times, comfort us with the knowledge that nothing we humbly ask you for is impossible. Amen.

Written by Nicole Spirgen, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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