By Bob Kyser of Independence, Missouri, USA

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

One day I found myself reflecting on recent life events. Within one week, funerals were planned for a close family member, a member of my congregation, a longtime friend, and a young adult father whose family I knew. For several months my wife Diane and I had also been supporting our brother-in-law undergoing extensive medical treatment in a hospital three hours from our home.

As I prepared to share with a group of friends in our weekly prayer time, the weight of this loss, grief, and struggle was resting on me. I began to identify with the portion of Psalm 23 which refers to walking through the valley of the shadow of death. That was it! I was living in a shadow of uncertainty and loss. As my friends shared prayers, I began to feel a sense of renewed hope. I still felt the burden, but I somehow knew I was not alone.

A few days later I received a note from a friend who had been part of that prayer group. She had been prompted by God’s spirit to send me a written devotional she had read. It talked about seeing specific faces of God, not just God in general. As I read the article, I became aware that earlier I had sensed God’s presence of hope.

My brother-in-law struggles daily to live. Some days the news is not good while other days his condition is better. And so it goes. It takes great courage for him to live each day, but it is apparent that both he and his family face the future with courage and hope. At Easter time a friend shared from the Resurrection Message the conviction that a lot can happen in three days. And so, they live on with courage and hope.

Let us place God’s face of courage next to God’s face of hope as we walk both in the shadow and in the light.

Prayer Phrase

“For everything created by God is good” (1 Timothy 4:4).

Spiritual Practice

Joy of Gratitude

Stand, if possible, with arms outstretched. Imagine God filling your arms with all that you have: family, friends, and possessions. Hold out your arms until they feel tired. Now, bring your arms across your body. Place your hand over your heart and thank God for the abundance that fills your life. Sit for a time aware of that abundance. Then ask God to help you open your heart in gratitude and share freely with others.

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.