Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 3/8

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William Stafford's poem, The Way It Is, begins today's Pause for Prayer which follows the poet's work.

The Way It Is
There's a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn't change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can't get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time's unfolding.
You don't ever let go of the thread.

-William Stafford

Pause for Prayer

Lord,
help me follow the thread...

Help me follow the thread of faith
no matter what happens, 
regardless of the hurt that's mine,
the tragedies I endure...

Give me strength, Lord,
when others fail to see the thread I follow
and give me strength I need when I have trouble
finding and following the thread of my faith...

Help me hold on to the thread of faith,
help me hold as on tight as I can;
help me hold on to the thread of my faith, Lord,
and to follow that thread
'til it brings me to you...

Amen.