Published on 03/31/2003

This week, let's learn from the masters of Christian spirituality how to pray when times are hard. We begin with one of the most famous prayers for a wartime situation-these words from an unknown Confederate soldier:

Commentary

I will be out of the office for the next few days, and so am writing this week's devotionals ahead of time. As a result, I cannot know the day's news. But we can consider a theme which transcends newspapers: how to pray in a time of crisis. Tennyson was right: more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams. This week, let's learn from the masters of Christian spirituality how to pray when times are hard.

We begin with one of the most famous prayers for a wartime situation-these words from an unknown Confederate soldier:

I asked God for strength that I might achieve;
I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for help that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy;
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life;
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I was given nothing I asked for;
But everything that I had hoped for.
Despite myself, my prayers were answered;
I am among all men most richly blessed.

The soldier learned to seek God before seeking his blessings-his heart before his hand. Anselm, the medieval scholar and pastor, prayed in the same way: O Lord our God, grant us grace to desire Thee with our whole heart; that, so desiring, we may seek, and seeking find Thee; and so finding Thee may love Thee; and loving Thee, may hate those sins from which Thou hast redeemed us.

Martin Luther knew that we will find God in life's hardest places if we seek him fervently: Grant that I may not pray alone with the mouth; help me that I may pray from the depths of my heart.

And St. Richard of Chichester offers one of the most beautiful prayers in Christian history, again seeking God in hard places: Thanks be to thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits which Thou has given us; for all the pains and insults which Thou hast borne for us. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, may we know thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly, For Thine own sake.

Before we seek God's help, let us first seek him. Then when we cannot feel his hand, we can trust his heart. This is the promise of God.