With God in the Darkness: Spirit of Prayer part 1 track 15

Celtic 3 by Francis Cummings When we are under extreme pressure, the Lord is our ever present help and refuge – but that does not mean that we will necessarily find it easy to feel His presence. May the pressures not hold us back from seeking Him – and from sharing what we are going through with at least one other person. The prophet said, ‘In the shadow of His hand He hid me. He made me into a polished arrow, and concealed me in His quiver.’ (Is. 49:2) Lord Jesus, we shelter beneath the refuge of Your Almighty hand – and find such sweetness there, but sometimes it is hard to stand, because it is so dark beneath Your hand. Forgive us when we fail to understand that You are using this narrowed time to prepare a polished arrow for Your very special plans. When the ability to sense Your presence fades, help us proclaim that You are still the same, for even if it is dark beneath Your wing, You still want us to sing; and all that we have known of You still applies when You come in seeming disguise. When You look back on those times of darkness, Lord, when our pathway narrowed and we were deeply harrowed; may You rejoice that we did not give in to the bleakness; for although the surface of our life was profoundly ruffled, and Your presence strangely muffled, deep down the water remained as still as ever. Stir up in us the determination to hold fast until the darkness parts and the danger is past. Give us grace to ride each millrace, until the waters slow and peace returns. Grant us grace not to begrudge those days when we must trudge across the sandy expanse – for deserts end in Your fond embrace, and the only way to gain the reward is to take firm hold of Your pledge, and to tear all obstacles to shreds. But the Warped One flees not before the uncommitted. He keeps his claws embedded in hearts too narrowly set on their own affairs. He only bows to those whose ambitions range beyond their own immediate sphere of service – and since he greatly fears souls who refuse to compromise, Lord, make us those whom both Heaven and hell acknowledge. Lord Jesus, in my spirit I am back in places where I have met with You. I pray now for the joy of Your presence, the comfort of Your touch and the power of Your leading on all whom I bring to You in prayer. Let Your compassion come upon them now, releasing souls from the deadweight of stifling tradition and turning the predictable into living encounter as the wind of Your Spirit blows through.