Below is an unedited prayer I wrote out a few days ago…
Oh Lord, I know that you are a good and sovereign God, and I know I am but a puny mortal that can no more protect anyone from the blows of life than can a spoon empty the sea. However, I know that you have given me community to cherish and love to the best of my ability. I know that “it is not good for man to be alone”, so you made him a community to draw him out of his selfishness and lavish our affections other creatures as we work together on your plans and push each other towards you. And, to be honest, right now, I miss my community back home.
In absentia, I fear that they are slowly becoming different people and will become strangers that I can’t relate to. Or even worse, I fear that they will be the same people, and it is I who have changed. Or perhaps, worst of all, I fear that we’ve both become such different people that we won’t have any common ground, and will relegate our relationship to a fond memory of the past.
I feel so far from home, and hear about my people’s joys and sorrows from afar, and, honestly, my first instinct is to desire an intense proximity with them and the ability to gather them all and hide them in a safe place far away from cares. However, as you call me to be away from them and embark on my own journey, I know I can’t do very much for them except to pray for them from a distance.
As much as I might like to ask, I know you won’t shield them from all trouble. And honestly, I wouldn´t seriously ask you to do that because I know that hard times are good to build character and grow closer to you. But, I can ask that you will accompany them in their lives and comfort them because I’m far away, and can´t.
Please laugh with them in the sunny days, because I’m far away and can’t. Hold their hands during the dark nights when fear seems all.important, because I’m far away, and can’t. Comfort them in the cloudy days of sorrows and petty problems, because I’m far away and can’t. Entertain them on the nondescript days of “just the same”, because I’m far away, and can’t. And during every day, no matter the weather, I ask that you will be near them and shine your face upon their endeavors so that they will understand your will and grow closer to you.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
