Strength for the Journey

 

On the day I called,

You answered me;

my strength of soul

     You increased.

          Psalm 138. 3

(God never intended for us

     to do this life alone.

Even while we are praying,

even in the act of prayer,

God enlarges His strength

           in us.

It is not that we let Him

      into our need,

but He invites us

   into His care and strength,

always and already there,

       embracing us.

We need not face this situation

   or endure this journey

                   on our own.

His Presence, His strength,

   His wisdom in this

changes everything

not just for us

      but for generations.

When we call on the LORD,

      inquiring of Him first,

God orders our days,

reorders our thoughts

            and affections,

changes our appetites,

and guides us in the ordinary

      and the unexpected.)

 

O LORD,

May our first response be

   to call on You

to lead us through the miry bog

  or guide us in the favorable.

Strengthen our souls

   not just for the journey,

but that we would know how

   to strengthen others

and point them to You.

Guide our thoughts

  even while we are praying.

You are doing a work

       in us and through us

that we cannot even imagine.

It is not our strength

            but Yours.