Like a mother comforts a child

Dear friends of the Berlin Bible Dialogue

***This the translation of yesterday’s peace prayer.

“Last week a peace prayer came to me from a school in my home town Lemgo

Let me tell you, God, how we feel – we students
We are meant to learn things that  no one explains
we sit alone in front of our tasks -
and we really just miss our friends,
can barely stand it without them –
Comfort us like a mother would.

Let me tell you, God, how we feel – we teachers.
we don’t know how our students feel,
 But we suspect the occasional woe -
We want to do things well, but we don’t know how -
Comfort us like a mother would.

Let me tell you, God, how we feel – we the parents
We need to do so much at the same time -
We care for our jobs, our children, our own parents -
We don’t k now how to manage it all -         
Comfort us like a mother would.

Touching words, from the perspective of students, teachers and parents who bring before God what pains them these days. How beautiful, impressive that they turn to God. They ask God’s comfort, wishing for this like from a loving mother. I looked at the matching Bible passage in Isaiah 66, 12-14a: Denn ich, der HERR, sage euch: Frieden und Wohlstand werden Jerusalem überfluten wie ein großer Strom. Ich lasse den Reichtum der Völker hereinfließen wie einen nie versiegenden Bach.  Und an dieser Fülle dürft ihr euch satt trinken.  In dieser Stadt werdet ihr euch wie Kinder fühlen,  die ihre Mutter auf den Armen trägt, auf den Schoß nimmt und liebkost. Ich will euch trösten wie eine Mutter ihr Kind. Die neue Pracht Jerusalems lässt euch den Kummer vergessen.  Wenn ihr das alles seht, werdet ihr wieder von Herzen fröhlich sein,  und neue Lebenskraft wird in euch aufkeimen wie frisches Gras. For this is what the Lord says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flooding stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm and dandled on her knees. As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” When you see this, your heart will rejoice and you will flourish like grass.
I wish for us that we may find comfort and courage in all that oppresses us. God’s love is steadfast and he will not abandon us. His good blessing and loving embrace abide, no matter how difficult times may be. When we look closer, there is so much. Nature enchants us with glorious colours, sweet smells and joyful bird song. And and and …

Let us thank God and pray for his comfort and this gain new and lasting vitality.

With a sisterly greetings from Elke K. in Lemgo