At the time of writing this article for the Anglican Highway, I am recently home from a trip to visit one of my three daughters in, some would say, northern British Columbia, but in fact, only about half-way up. Far enough that the weather is considerably different than here in the North Okanagan, and far enough away that the journey can be tedious.
As it certainly was this particular trip. The Eastern half of the continent was struggling with winter storms, and the airlines were struggling with scheduling and re-scheduling travelers. I started out in Kelowna and faced an extra two and a half hour wait. I was already there an hour early — suffering from “what if the plane leaves without me-itis.” I read my book. I did a crossword puzzle. I did the daily “Wordle” puzzle, even the “Connections” puzzle.
And of course, I prayed. I prayed for the airlines and their task of moving people and the logistics of staffing ground crew, pilots, stewards, luggage handlers. I prayed for all the passengers who were all travelling, some for work, some for pleasure, all anticipating their arrival at whatever and wherever their final destination might be. I wondered if other people in the terminal were also praying.
Prayer is such a wonderful thing that it can be done with no visible sign. Not all people cover their heads to pray. Not all people weave back and forth to pray. Not all people fold their hand together and close their eyes. I know some larger airports have praying rooms, or quiet rooms, places where one can go, and pray alone in quiet – or with others. And, I am quite sure that there are people who don’t usually pray, until they are anxious. Anxious about how long they might have to wait to get aboard their plane.
We don’t, of course, need to pray because we are bringing God up to speed on what has been going on. God knows we are fretting about the time ticking by, or anxious about our family waiting at the other end of our journey. We don’t need to pray because we have a specific little list of things we would like God to deliver. God already knows.
He knows what’s happening at your end — just relax about that. Be still. Listen. Wait. Be patient. God holds you in a loving embrace and you will be fine — the airline will bring you a plane, or put you up in a hotel — you will be fine.
We need to use a time of prayer to just sit in front of God — to bring ourselves before our Creator. We pray because we are reminded again and again that God is a part of this universe, God is watching the chaos, and I just have to do my bit. Even if it’s only sitting knowing that all will be well.
While waiting in the airport in Vancouver, for the next leg of my delayed journey, having finished my book, I googled poetry to read, not my favorite on a small screen — but stumbled on this treasure of what NOT to put in your prayer list:
A poem written by Sir John Betjeman. Enjoy!
In Westminster Abbey
Let me take this other glove off
As the vox humana swells,
And the beauteous fields of Eden
Bask beneath the Abbey bells.
Here, where England’s statesmen lie,
Listen to a lady’s cry.
Gracious Lord, oh bomb the Germans,
Spare their women for Thy Sake,
And if that is not too easy
We will pardon Thy Mistake.
But, gracious Lord, whate’er shall be,
Don’t let anyone bomb me.
Keep our Empire undismembered
Guide our Forces by Thy Hand,
Gallant blacks from far Jamaica,
Honduras and Togoland;
Protect them Lord in all their fights,
And, even more, protect the whites.
Think of what our Nation stands for,
Books from Boots’ and country lanes,
Free speech, free passes, class distinction,
Democracy and proper drains.
Lord, put beneath Thy special care
One-eighty-nine Cadogan Square.
Although dear Lord I am a sinner,
I have done no major crime;
Now I’ll come to Evening Service
Whensoever I have the time.
So, Lord, reserve for me a crown,
And do not let my shares go down.
I will labour for Thy Kingdom,
Help our lads to win the war,
Send white feathers to the cowards
Join the Women’s Army Corps,
Then wash the steps around Thy Throne
In the Eternal Safety Zone.
Now I feel a little better,
What a treat to hear Thy Word,
Where the bones of leading statesmen
Have so often been interr’d.
And now, dear Lord, I cannot wait
Because I have a luncheon date.
Helen Hall belongs to the Spiritual Development Committee, which encourages people to grow ever deeper in relationship with God and to pray. As people across the Diocese pray, the ministries of the church will flourish! Amen.
