IV.
In my last post I asked you how contemporary you find Habakkak’s words.

Since that post I came across this prayer from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which likely was written when Bonhoeffer was imprisoned by the German government during World War II.

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.

Help me to pray;
and to concentrate my thoughts on you;
I cannot do this alone.

In me there is darkness,
but with you there is light;

I am lonely,
but you do not leave me;

I am feeble in heart,
but with you there is help;

I am restless,
but with you there is peace.

In me there is bitterness,
but with you there is patience;

I do not understand your ways,
but you know the way for me. . . .

Restore me to liberty,
and enable me to live now
that I may answer before you and before men.

Lord,
whatever this day may bring,
your name be praised.

Amen.

V.
Bonhoeffer gives expression to his lament and to his hope, such that it is.

It is almost as if the darkness he finds himself in, keeps the light and hope out, but he does not give in to that.

Have you heard the expression, “… to hope against hope.”

Is that the place of Bonhoeffer’s hope that darkness cannot overcome?

Can you find that place in yourself?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}