Blog Archives - Vernon T. Jones MTS, Spiritual Consultant, Author

Prayer during a National Crisis

9/28/2020

God of ages, in your sight nations rise and fall, and pass through times of peril.
Now when our land (nation) is troubled, be near to judge and save.
May leaders be led by your wisdom; may they search your will and see it clearly.
If we have turned from your way, help us to reverse our ways and repent.
Give us your light and your truth to guide us; through Jesus Christ,
who is Lord of this world, and our Savior. Amen.

“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press

Reflection: All Things Pass Away Except God

9/24/2020

“Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing make you afraid. All things are passing. God alone never changes. Patience gains all things. If you have God you will want for nothing. God alone suffices.” Saint Teresa of Avila

Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) founded the Discalced Carmelites and became the first woman to be named Doctor of the Church. She was a very gifted writer, and wrote a number of spiritual classics. Her spiritual teachings were based on a life of prayer. (“Let Nothing Disturb You---Teresa of Avila” Series Editor, John Kirvan, Ave Maria Press, 2008)

Many years ago, I learned a form of this prayer. It became one of a number of mantras, that has been used over the years, to help me get through some of life’s more stressful moments. What I used was this shorten version: “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things will pass away except God; God alone is sufficient.” No matter which version you reflect on, they hold some important concepts at any time, but especially in these very trying times that we are going through today.

Saint Teresa had a number of challenges that she had to deal with in her life, but she used her prayer routines to help her get through them. She was able to state with some assurance that everything in life passed away except the Lord God. That God alone was sufficient, and that nothing else was needed. During these nation-wide pandemics may you be able to reflect upon, and realize this same understanding. Please be open to using prayers like this one, and the wisdom gained from past and present spiritual saints, to help you make it another day. Again, please be safe, well, and as sane as you can be! Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Picture is of Saint Teresa of Avila, artist unknown. Smithsonian Art American Museum, 16th-17th century. Public Domain

Prayer for Our Nation

9/21/2020

“Almighty God, ruler of all the peoples of the earth,

forgive, we pray, our shortcomings as a nation;

purify our hearts to see and love truth;

give wisdom to our counselors and steadfastness to our people;

and bring us at last to the fair city of peace,

whose foundations are mercy, justice, and goodwill,

and whose builder and maker you are;

through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”

Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924)

Scripture Reflection: God’s Promises---in the Midst of Uncertain Times

9/17/2020

“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43: 1-3a

As we continue in this very uncertain time of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Racial Injustice Pandemic, the devastation caused by the wild fires and hurricanes, and the stress caused by our nation’s political divisions; many of us are very concerned about how all of this will end up. It is hard to contain our doubts and our fears; with so many loved ones lost, also much loss property, jobs, businesses, wildlife and forest lands, and so much more! The emotional stain, and the pain and sorrow of it all is so overwhelming.

Our anxiety comes to us in many different ways, will I get the virus, and if so, can I live with it; and also, what so many want to know---when can we get back to a “normal” way of living again? Also, how we deal with all of the other difficulties that are impacting us? Additionally, during these crises, and from what has occurred all around us, what do we really believe in---at our very core?

What many spiritual writers and our desert mothers and fathers have outlined over the years, and firmly believed is that God has promised to be with us, no matter what we are going through, or where we happen to be in our earthly walk. Please read this passage from Isaiah again in your Bible, and also refer to any footnotes that come with it. In this passage God has promised to redeem the nation of Israel, that they have been called by name, that the Lord would protect them through any problems that they may face. That no matter if the issues were of water or fire, that they would come through it.

God called these people by name and promised to walk with them, whatever they went through. God still calls each and every one of us by name, and the promise to walk with us is still there; but sometimes in moments like these, it may seem that the Lord is on another path then the one that we are on. May you continue to have prayer/reflection practices that allows you to sense God calling you and walking with you; even in the midst of these calamities. God bless you on this journey now and in the future. Peace, Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

Prayer for Racial and Cultural Diversity

9/14/2020

O God,
you created all people in your image.
We thank you for the astonishing variety
of races and cultures in this world.
Enrich our lives by ever-widening circles of friendship,
and show us your presence in those who differ most from us,
until our knowledge of your love is made perfect
in our love for all your children;
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

“Book of Common Worship---Daily Prayer” Westminster/John Knox press

Reflection: Accepting What We Can’t Change---and Courageously Changing What We Can

9/10/2020

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr

This prayer is commonly referred to as the “Serenity Prayer”, and was first written by American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr between 1932-1933. This prayer has been adopted by a number of different groups, and marketed in many distinctive ways. It has been sold on coins, posters, and pictures. It has helped countless people over the years.

These words have so much meaning for all of us, at most anytime; but especially during this time of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Racial Injustice Pandemic with the recent protests from many years of injustices done to persons of color. Right now, there are many of us who are feeling confused, and are struggling with a lot of pain and sorrow. There are so many things that we can’t control related to both of these situations.

However, this time may be calling every human to have the courage to change the things that can be altered. The things that we can control are: how we live daily in both of these crises, how we try and protect ourselves and those around us from getting the virus, and how we treat our neighbors on a daily basis---even those who don’t look like us.

For people of faith, we can also pray for the courage and wisdom to become the person that God wants us to be---to be more like Jesus; striving to love all of God’s people, no matter who they are. It is up to us to ask God’s Spirit for the wisdom and courage to change the things we can. Basically, are we willing to allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts and souls---even when doing so may cause us to face our own demons, and be confronted with the possibility of a negative reaction from those not ready and/or willing to change?

I don’t know how these Pandemics, and this period of protest and unrest in our nation will end, or what life will look like after we get through this. But my faith is in God’s infinite love, that no matter what the future holds, God’s love will be with us regardless of what comes down the road. For the next few days, try saying this prayer as the Spirit moves you: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” May you have the courage and wisdom to change what you are being led to change. God bless as you travel through these uncertain times; and continue to be safe, well, and as sane as you can be. Peace! Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved

St. Francis Prayer

9/7/2020

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not seek so much to
be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” Amen
Attributed to Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

Picture is of Church of St. Francis, Assisi, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Emily Finch Gilbert through Julia Post Bastedo, executor, 1898, Public Domain

Reflection: A New Normal

9/3/2020

As most of you know, both Shirley and I were married for a number of years before losing our spouses. Shirley lost Bob in an accident, and I lost Judy after a long battle with brain tumors. Shirley and I didn’t know each until we met at Trinity Lutheran Seminary in 2000, but we have often compared our feelings concerning what we went through during those periods of lost.

For me, when we decided to put Judy under Hospice care, we knew that she was going to pass away at some point, and we did begin to grieve her lost before-hand. However, nothing could prepare us for when it really did happen. For Shirley and her family, Bob was well and healthy at one moment, and the next moment he was gone. The shock and heartache, came all at once and of course was very overwhelming to everyone.

When any of us loses a loved one, we deal with it differently based on a number of factors, for this is something that can’t be ignored. I will not go through all of the gut-wrenching moments that we both experienced after Bob and Judy passed away, only to note that it was long and extremely trying for both of us, and our family and friends. However, at some point, we had to acknowledge the fact that they were gone, and we had a new normal that we had to grow into slowly on a day-to-day basis. As much as we longed to have them back, we couldn’t bring them back, no matter what we did. Our new normal was a life without them.

In this time of a COVID-19 and Racial Injustice Pandemic, all of us have had to deal with aspects of our life that are drastically changed, and in many of situations we don’t any control concerning these changes. Today we have a new normal in dealing with these issues, and no doubt, after we come through this period, we will have another new normal that we will have to adjust to also. We can keep the memories and lessons learned from our past experiences, but at some point, we have to let them go in order to move ahead.

Just as Shirley and I would have loved to bring Bob and Judy back, we couldn’t. Their love is a part of who we are today, and will always be with us from that standpoint, and we will never forget them. But at some point, we had to adjust to this new normal. In the same way, please pray for the courage, wisdom, and persistence to be open to how God’s Spirit may be guiding you through, and to the other side of these crises. May that Spirit help you to adjust to the new normal that is awaiting the entire World at some point in the future. Be safe and well! Vernon T.

Copyright © 2020 Vernon T. Jones, All Rights Reserved