May the Road Rise to Meet You

Sometimes when I’m praying for friends, when I really don’t know what to pray, I pray a blessing on them, I love the words of Aaron’s ancient blessing: ‘The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.’

I also love this beautiful old Irish blessing:

May the road rise to meet you
May the wind be at your back
May the sunshine warm upon your face
May the rain fall softly on your feet
And until we meet again
May you keep safe in the gentle, loving arms of God.
On Thursday I went to London to meet my friend Bob. Bob’s a Liverpudlian in his mid-eighties who now lives in Canada. This was almost certainly Bob’s last visit to England, and the last time I shall see him. It was a very special day for both of us. This is certainly my prayer as I remember Bob.

For everything there is a season
A time for meeting, a time to say goodbye
In all things, God is near
Always guiding you way.

This is the first Sunday in Advent. Churches throughout the world will today be speaking of the coming Prince of Peace. There will be a message of hope in dark times. Some, however will find Christmas to be a sad season, remembering good times that are no longer possible, friends and family who are no longer present, or anticipating a future that’s uncertain and uninviting. For them we pray God’s blessing.  

For everything there is a season
A time for loving, a time for letting go
In all things, God is near
Always guiding your way.

I think of friends going through tough times… Charlie who’s clear of her old addictions, but is still suffering mentally and physically because of them… Brian, whose advancing dementia brings significant anxiety to his family and to himself… Marion, who’s desperately unhappy in her work, but can’t leave. In times of confusion and weakness I pray God’s blessing on them… and me.