Daily Worship

Challenging paths

August 24, 2015 0 0

Psalm 23:4

Luke 10:30
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead

Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

Dear God,

Someone once prayed ‘God, be good to me, for the sea is so wide, and my boat is so small’.
Our journeys in the wide world are also by road, in bus and car; by rail; even by air.
We travel for work, to see family, or for pleasure.
We trust that we are generally safe, yet we sometimes fear:
bad decisions by drivers or pilots, difficult conditions, our own misjudgements.

Thank you that only rarely do we hear of ‘robbers on the road’, deliberate acts by fellow humans of theft or violence or malice.

But we know that there are places and times when travel may be unwise – taking the last train, walking a dark street, parking on certain roads – when we feel eerie or uncomfortable or unsafe.

Forgive us for needless fear – or for heedless risk.

Help us to see your face in those we encounter.
To be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

Help us to have compassion for those taking risky journeys, for food or family or survival.
Walking hours to fetch water, or cramming onto boats to escape war, or taking wild risks to journey by road or rail to find sanctuary.

Help us to choose our routes wisely and travel our roads, aware of both our own needs and those of others.

And most of all help us to journey in the knowledge that you are beside us wherever we go
– and to see you in those who also travel challenging paths.

Amen.