On Sunday 10th May, our government announced the first steps to easing lockdown. For most of us this generated some feelings; hope, excitement, confusion, maybe even fear and anxiety.
Since this years pandemic began, and as we moved in to lockdown, most of us have been on a roller-coaster of feelings. Its not just the feelings themselves we have struggled with, but our response to our feelings. For many of us we are not used to feeling anxious and fearful of everyday interactions. Naturally we haven’t liked these feelings and have struggled to make sense of them. Some of us have felt very lonely and it has led us to question what brings meaning to our lives, are we filling a void with constant socialising? Some of us have been devastated at not being able to attend a job we didn’t realise we cared about whilst others have found themselves secretly pleased to be furloughed, but wondering if this means they need to rethink their work life. Some of us have enjoyed lockdown, the solitude, but feel almost guilty to acknowledge this whilst others struggle.
I found myself listening to a trance song, “Feeling This Way”, and it summed it up beautifully; “Feeling this way, makes me feel like falling”.
Let us go to God in prayer…
Heavenly Parent you know that these past few months have been such unusual, trying times, many of us have struggled with the changes this has brought to our lives, many of us are grieving in so many different ways, from the loss of freedom, the loss of friendship, the loss of security and even the loss of loved ones. We have had to handle a wave of feelings like never before. For all of us overwhelmed by our feelings bring us now a moment of calm, a moment to imagine we are simply floating on a mirror-like lake, gazing up at the blue sky.
Heavenly Parent help us to acknowledge and value each feeling and emotion as it rises up within is. Allow us to surf those waves of sadness, jealousy, frustration and anxiety. Just as each wave crashes, remind us that each feeling is temporary and will come to pass.
Heavenly Parent for those of us who are feeling joy and contentment as a result of this time of isolation, may we be moved to embrace that feeling and gain strength from it, rather than feeling embarrassed or guilty. May we use these feelings of joy and hope to stand up and channel it as strength to help others around us.
Holy Spirit pour out amongst us knowledge, wisdom and counsel, so that we may be able to acknowledge each feeling and each emotion. That we may pause to ask what it might tell us about our relationship with this situation, our relationship with ourselves and our relationship with you. Bring us an opportunity to use these feelings to ask questions of ourselves, how we are in this moment as well as the bigger journey we are on.
When we feel like we are falling we have two options, to try and stop ourselves, or dive in to the fall.
Jesus we know that which ever option makes sense, which ever option we choose, You will be there. If the sense of falling is too much we only have to say Your name and You will be there to prop us up, to steady us on our feet. You will provide us with the power, the tools to keep our balance, keep our heads up and put one foot firmly in front of the other. The ground before us will be rock, not sinking sand, if only we remember to call on You.
In those times where we cannot help but fall, we know You will be there to cushion the blow, soften the landing. However long we need to spend at the bottom of that fall, you will be there with us, soothing and comforting. You will bring along just the right person to extend a hand and help us back up.
When we stumble You are there.
When we fall You are there.
When we are ready to get back up and walk on You are there.
We thank you for your constant loving presence, whatever emotion we are feeling you are always fully present.
Amen!
The Unexpected Prayer 