Carrie Newcomer has a song entitled, "A Shovel is a
Prayer". In writing about it she
says -
“I believe that prayer is very personal and intimate. It
happens in small, private moments, in songs and whispers, in humor, grace and
the conversations that can only be had at the quiet end of the table."
The song contains some beautiful lyrics, among them: "a baby is a prayer / when it's finally
asleep / a whispered, 'Amen' / at the end of the day" and
"a friend is a prayer / when they bring over soup".
Recovering, as I am, from a knee replacement operation
just over two weeks ago, I have thought of those words often. In the early days, post-operatively, I felt
quite unable to pray in my usual ways and yet was deeply aware that, in a very
real sense, every step and every moment was a prayer; every visitor and every
card a prayer too. Feeling powerfully
upheld by the prayers of others, I also came to realise how important it is to
have people 'standing in the gap' prayerfully for us at particular times in our
lives. My thanks go out to all those who
have prayed me through this time and are continuing to do so: you are making
such a difference!
As I settle now into the rhythms of my convalescence I am
beginning to pray my way through the psalms each morning, inspired by Ian
Stackhouse's book, "Praying Psalms".
Reflecting and writing with each psalm, I'm finding it a powerful way to start the
day. And who knows? ... this might
become another book ... every step, every stroke of the pen, every
tap of the keyboard ... a prayer.
What might be an unexpected prayer for you today?
.
