Footprints

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths you are there.

even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139: 7, 8,10 NIV®

Many people are struggling with feelings of loneliness and sorrow
as a result of the social isolation which is required, in order to defeat the coronavirus.
This is an extremely difficult time, as life has been totally disrupted and is unpredictable.
Pastor Rick Warren has said that we are all in the same storm, but we are experiencing it differently;
some are weathering it through in yachts; some in row boats; others on driftwood.
He has advised on the importance of building up our emotional and spiritual reserves
by starting and ending each day with prayer; reading the Bible in order to refuel our souls –
God’s Word first, God’s Word last.
The importance of walking by faith, because the more we build our faith, the more faith we will have.
Someone has said, ‘Much Prayer – much Power; little Prayer – little Power; no Prayer – no Power’.

In John 14: 16, Jesus told his disciples that he would send a counsellor to be with them to bear their sorrows.
The disciples did not know what to expect.
After Jesus’ crucifixion, they went into hiding because they were fearful for their lives.
They had forgotten Jesus’ promises.
Those of us who know the Saviour have no reason to be comfortless and vulnerable, especially at this time.

This poem is entitled ‘Footprints’ but the author is unknown:

One night I had a dream.
I was walking along the beach with the Lord and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.
In each scene I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand
and to my surprise I noticed that many times along the path of life there was only one set of footprints.
And I noticed that it was the lowest and saddest times in my life.
I asked the Lord about it.
‘Lord, you said that once I decided to follow You,
You would walk with me all the way.
But I noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints.
I don’t understand why You left my side when I needed you most.’
The Lord said: ‘My precious child, I never left you during your time of trial.
When you see only one set of footprints it was then that I carried you.’

Let us pray:

Father, help us always to remember your Presence and Protection in all seasons of our lives.
It is natural for us to be concerned about all that is happening to us and around us;
please help us to be prayerful and not fearful.
Gentle Saviour, we pray for frail elderly people in hospital wards and nursing homes.
May they be treated respectfully and protected from neglect or bullying.
Please give patience and compassion to staff caring for them.
Father God, we pray for countries which are experiencing natural disasters,
remembering especially California and other states in the USA
where wild fires have caused loss of life, destruction of many homes, and immense destruction of vegetation.
We pray for the cessation of these fires; comfort for those who are grieving the loss of loved ones;
and recovery of people from the trauma and tragedy.

Amen

Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o’er the world’s tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
Yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our Father be.

Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us:
all our weakness thou dost know;
thou didst tread this earth before us,
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
lone and dreary, faint and weary,
through the desert thou didst go.

James Weldon Edmeston (1791–1867)

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
for to you I entrust my life.

Psalm 143: 8 NIV®

Wishing you God’s Blessings, take care and keep safe.

Glynne Gordon-Carter