I am preparing to teach a section of our youth confirmation course during their final retreat tomorrow. The chapter is titled "Spirituality: Created for Prayer," from the wonderful book and study guide, My Faith, My Life: A Teen's Guide to the Episcopal Church (Gamber, Jennifer, Morehouse, 2006).
I am pulling out many items to take with me...prayer shawl, Anglican rosaries, my holding cross, icons, prayer books 1928, 1979, non-denominational prayer books, many Bibles.
And in my Gramma Beth's prayer book (given to her by some of her children on her birthday in 1952, according to the inscription), I found many little clippings and prayers. This one was written in her own hand, on the back cover of her Daughters of the King Handbook from Fall 1947.
(I am shocked to see how much my writing looks like hers. How did THAT happen!? She died when I was 10.)
Each day, I pray God give me strength anew
To do the task I do not wish to do
To yield obedience, not asking why
Tlo love and own the truth and scorn the lie
To look a cold world bravely in the face
To cheer for those that pass me in the race
To bear my burdens gaily, unafraid
To lend a hand to those that need my aid
To measure what I am by what I give
God, give me strength that I may rightly live.
I faced a task today that I very much did NOT want to do. :) And I did it. This little poem jumped out tonight and reminded me who gave me the courage to do it...teeth clenched or not. Tomorrow, I do a task that I am very pleased and happy to do.
We will be making rosaries, praying with icons, exploring illuminated manuscripts, and using finger labyrinths.
Please pray for me and the confirmation candidates tomorrow as we explore prayer together.
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