Sunday, August 22, 2021

Pray


Ephesians 6:10-20

Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

I was scheduled to read this in church today.  However, the Delta Variant had other plans for me.  A few weeks ago, my church took a step backward in the interest of safety.  We no longer have vaccinated choir members singing.  Attendance must be requested in advance, is limited to around 100 people per week, and assigned seating at a social distance has returned.  My husband recently began taking a medicine that makes him more immunocompromised.  I was mad. (had you noticed I stopped writing?) I had felt like I, we, had done all the right things yet here we are back where we started.  I find myself wearing masks where I cannot guarantee that all around me are vaccinated. I am frustrated. All of the Kleshas - Negative Mental States (Ignorance, Egoism, Attachment, Aversion, and Fear of Death) are winning. I don’t want to do this again. I want to sing.

Then I read today's reading.  Something more divine was at play when selecting me for this reading.  And, although someone else read it today, its message resonates. Be strong, armor yourself with God, “For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Then Pray. No, that last quote was not about fighting each other, but about praying for each other.  For me prayer wins, for you perhaps it is thoughts, meditations, wishes, blessings, graces, actions, or something else. “Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.”

So I pray. I pray that this delta variant ends, that children get vaccine, that Afghanistan finds peace, that our world stays cool, that my children and husband are safe, that all of you have your various prayers answered.  And if you have time pray for me to not be so mad, frustrated, and to find a place to sing.

Namaste

 

 

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