Covid-19 cases across the country, as I last wrote, we are asked to return to more vigilance and more restrictions to protect ourselves, others and specifically, urgently, our medical care system--both hospitals and staff. From a public health perspective, we now know what to do. From a spiritual perspective, we can add a renewed sense of prayer. There has been a great deal of concern and advisories surrounding the upcoming holiday and the traditional Thanksgiving gatherings. It seems a fitting time for daily prayer, focused on the various layers and circles of activity that the Pandemic has impacted, that has the potential to open our inner doors to a genuine and profound gratitude this year. We begin with prayer for ourselves as individuals and expand outwardly each day.
My own prayer life tends toward the non-specific and wordless turning to the Nameless Source of my life and all life, to ask and accept an inner outpouring of what truly can nourish my life and circumstances. But there are times when words are needed to guide our feeling states, and the Nameless Source needs to be named. What you name That is not as important as your sense of connection; the name arises from within, perhaps our history and religious learning, perhaps from some spontaneous well-spring within us. Today, I name That as simply God. So each of us as individuals can turn to God and ask, affirm and accept, this outpouring of guidance, support, health, strength, companionship and peace as our way through this time of Covid-19. We let that outpouring within us be sustaining, knowing it is there, even when we do not feel it, like an underground spring that continues to soften and offer oozing wet soil to thirsty roots. We can accept a turning point, where today we are clear, that our lives underneath thrive and strengthen toward new freedom and activity as this time of Pandemic begins to pass. We accept the expansion of that clarity about our course, our health, and direction manifesting in the right time and right way. Today we are Shielded, Protected. Today we know Wisdom and Well-being. To day we are Nourished and Supported. Today we know Peace. And we are grateful. And so it is. Amen. (Susan Nettleton)