I was reading the Christmas story in the Message in Luke 2 on biblegateway.com. Two characters in the story struck me, Simeon and Anna. The text says that Simeon was "a good man...who lived in prayerful expectancy of help for Israel." God had revealed to Simeon that he would live to see the Messiah. Then he sees Jesus, the child, and holding him in his arms he prays and praises God. And then the 84 yr. old prophetess, Anna, breaks out in to anthems of praise. It says that she "never left the Temple area, worshiping night and day with her fastings and prayers."

It would be so much easier if life boiled down to easy formulas. Do this good thing, and this good thing will happen. Pray this prayer, and you will prosper. Claim your healing, and you will be healed. There are many who seem to promise that Christianity, following Jesus, being in the Kingdom, or learning your purpose is some sort of panacea for all the ills that might come your way. Disappointment is bound to follow. However, one thing that following Jesus should bring is "hope." Living in an atmosphere of hope has got to be better than the alternative, living in an atmosphere of despair. A young man I greatly respect, who is clearly anointed for leadership in the Kingdom, who has already endured great hardship, is battling disease. It seems so unfair. And yet he is "hopeful." All I can say is, "Wow."

"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule." Matt. 5:3 The Message.

O God, less of me and more of You and your rule, Amen.

"It is your resistance to 'what is' that causes your suffering." --- Buddha. I think it was Oprah that quoted this phrase the other day. I googled it this morning and was taken to an interesting article on personal development with the title, "If the world is such a great place, why am I suffering." Jesus said: ""Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self." (Mark 8:34,35 The Message)

Of course, the world is not such a great place. There are tidal waves, earthquakes, hurricanes, fires and all sorts of natural disasters. There is poverty, crime, disease, hunger, addiction and affliction. A storm approaches the Gulf Coast of the U.S., again. All we can do is pray, whispering or shouting to the storm, "Peace, Be Still,", whispering or shouting, "God, Keep Us Safe, Shelter Us In Your Arms."

When my children were little I used to pray with them before they went to sleep. Nothing fancy, just, Dear Jesus, Bless Valerie (or Victor, or Kurt, or Erik), help her to have a good night's sleep, Amen. Sometimes I would throw in something personal about their day. But usually not. With Benjamin (2), I have added, "help him to stay in his bed", and "help him to have sweet dreams." And then I pray the "Now I lay me down to sleep..." that one of his dolls says when you press his stomach. Lately Ben has been asking for prayers for nap time, or if he wakes up early and I put him back to bed. How sweet is that?