By Janet Murdock of Washington, D.C., USA

Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace— in peace because they trust in you.

My mother taught me that God does, in fact, speak to us. It is we, sometimes, who don’t know how to listen. She said God speaks to us through the magnificent creation—through the breath of the wind and messengers in animal or bird form.

Much of the modern world discounts such communication. I prefer to believe two-way communication with the Creator is possible. I will continue to cultivate the ability to listen. It’s not the lack of courage that keeps us from taking leaps of faith but the fear of failure. How sweet it is, then, when we are given a small sign or a quick signal to let us know our courage to step into darkness is known by God.

Such messages can provide us an assurance that God will reward our faith—that God will use us for divine purpose.

The small but distinct messages from God deliver an intense feeling of abiding peace. The messages are precious gifts that install confidence.

This confidence causes determination to succeed and the belief that transformation is possible, even in the worst places or conditions.

God’s habitat includes the darkest depths of turmoil and conflict. The Divine waits for us there. If we have the courage to go to God, God has promised to meet us there and lead us through the chaos into what is yet to be.

Prayer Phrase

“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

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.