The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

[Excerpted from “A Season to Hold Our Desolation,” by Katie Harmon-McLaughlin, Nov/Dec 2021 Herald, p. 33]

Consolation—the heart turned toward God—can bring fresh energy, life, light, and meaning, but it may not completely alleviate our despair. It will not right every wrong in the world. It might not make life easier, but it will certainly make it more bearable and remind us that God is with us in whatever we are experiencing.

If we expect to be perfectly happy, we may miss the gift of consolation: a sense of deeper joy and love in the Spirit of God that endures even when challenges arise or persist. It is possible to live in challenging times and to experience joy, love, and deep connection to God.

The people who walked in darkness
          have seen a great light;
Those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
          on them light has shined. (Isaiah 9:2)

Prayer Phrase

“He has given us a new birth into a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3).

Room for the New

Symbolically release the past:

• Blow out a breath; imagining letting go.
• Drop a stone in water, tear a paper slip, or set down what you’ve written.

This is not about erasing the past but freeing space for what’s next.
Say: “I open my hands to make room for the new.”

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.