“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to you, when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;
For you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.”
Psalm 61.1-3
Ancient Ireland was a dangerous place. It was a checkerboard of small kingdoms who frequently raided one another. That was bad enough, but then the Vikings began raiding. The people built tall, round towers like the one pictured above. The entryway could only be reached by a ladder which was pulled up when everyone was inside. When the danger passed people went out.
Today it feels like we are all seeking shelter in our homes. The danger is not as dramatic as a Viking raid, but the pandemic is deadly. In all fairness, our homes are far more comfortable than a stone tower. Maintaining social distancing is not as frightening as looking from the windows of a stone tower and watching our homes burn. Even so, we are in unfamiliar territory. We don’t know how or when this will end.
Now is the time for us to keep up our courage. Now is the time for us to draw upon a strength greater than our own. Our faith provides us with every reason for hope.
Some versions of the hymn “Be Thou My Vision” contain the words:
“Be though my dignity be my delight,
Thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower
Raise thou me heavenward, O power of my power.”
In this dark moment we can ask God for more than protection; we can pray for God to raise our spiritual awareness. God can help us use this time to get to know God on a more intimate basis.
You might pray something like this:
Raise us heavenward, we pray.
Open our hearts and minds and souls to Your grace.
Let us come to know you better in the days and weeks ahead.
Again, I recommend Youtube to hear a variety of versions of that great hymn.
Better days are coming; God will see us through.