Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Dear God,

As my covenant friend shared, a vision came to me and I began to weep.  As he shared I continued to weep until finally I was able to share the vision with our group.

It was a holy moment in Russia when my husband and I visited in 1988.  We worshipped every day for 19 days in different churches.  There we saw what was really important, the people and their faith.  We saw the way of true devotion.  We saw their great joy in the return of the relics of St. Andrew.  We witnessed their ecstasy in worshipping together and receiving the Eucharist.  After 70 years of terrible persecution, killings and closing of most churches, they were now rejoicing in their return, an answer to so many prayers.

In America today we complain, murmur complaints and gripe about things in our country.  We are in chaos; there is no doubt about it.  However, what I saw this morning was a call to return to the God of our faith, the only One who can save us.  Where is Christ in the midst of the awfulness, I asked myself and my colleagues.  Where is Christ?  The truth is Christ is here, present with us.  We are not alone.  When we change our focus, anticipate and look, we find Christ all around, I said.

In the moments of our sharing, we saw you, felt your presence and were moved to action.  All this was your hand at work.

Bless you,
Almighty God,
for your
living, loving presence.
My, how
we need you.
Open us
to your
deep, abiding spirit.
Make us willing
to listen,
see and experience.
Lead us
to you.
Lead us
to love,
faith and peace,
we pray.

Love, Andrea