a prayer amidst the rush

God, lately I feel pulled in a thousand directions. So much stress is happening in my family. There is so much movement, so much hurrying, so much frantic nervous business... so much travel, so much talk, so much noise, so much to get done right away. It's overwhelming. It makes it a struggle to spend time with You alone. 

But... You are STILL with me in the rush, Lord. Even in the dizzying hurry You are there, still in control, still watching over me, still guiding me in Your Ways, still loving me and everyone else involved. 

Help me to stand strongly in faith during these stressful times, Lord. Help me to see You in the faces of others. Help me to hear You in every conversation. Help me to feel Your Presence in every crowd and car and class and church! Speak to me in music and in thought; reach out and touch me in unexpected ways. Work through me for Your Glory, especially in the situations where I am the most desperate for You. 

Grace me with peace & patience, Lord, through absolute loving trust in You. May that trust enable me to face all efforts not as trial but as blessing. Grace me with a ready response of honest gratitude to all that You send me, knowing and acknowledging that it is all a gift! Open my heart, my mind, my eyes, and my arms to receive AND generously share Your Love even-- especially-- in the most difficult and painful circumstances. 

Lastly, Lord, I humbly pray that when the dust has settled, You also grant me times of quiet recovery and stillness, where I can let this body rest and this mind decompress, and where I can simply spend a precious while with You alone. Keep me alert to those opportunities-- don't let me miss them through frazzled preoccupation and distraction. May my soul be constantly prepared to meet You, both in this life and the next. May my every moment be spent for Your sake... no exceptions! 

I make this prayer through the merits of my Savior Jesus Christ, Who called me into this new life of grace, and by Whom alone I am able to live it. Amen.