A Blessing Prayer in Difficult Times
by John O’DonohueMay you know tender shelter and healing blessing
when you are called to stand in the place of pain.
May the places of darkness within you be surprised by light.
May you be granted the wisdom to avoid false resistance and
when suffering knocks on the door of your life, may you be able to glimpse its hidden gift.
May you be able to see the fruits of suffering.
May memory bless and shelter you with the hard-earned light of past turmoil,
to remind you that you have survived before,
And though the darkness is now deep,
You will soon see approaching light.
May this give you confidence and trust.
May a window of light always surprise you.
May the grace of transfiguration heal your wounds.
John O’Donohue’s words ring out to me: “When suffering knocks on the door of your life, may you be able to glimpse its hidden gift.” I think most would agree that suffering is indeed knocking on the door. Whether it be the suffering of not seeing loved ones due to COVID-19 or of losing a job, the suffering of seeing another black person killed at the hands of police or of greater systemic racism, the suffering is real right now.
What gifts are hiding in this suffering? Personally, my gifts have come in the form of long, deep talks during daily walks and nightly games with my husband. The gifts are in sharing a glass of socially distant wine with friends across their porch. The gifts are in the solitude and quiet of every day.
As O’Donohue says in this beautiful blessing, “And though the darkness is now deep, you will soon see approaching light.”
What moments of light do you see on the horizon?
Where have you seen joy in recent days?
What wounds do you have that are especially painful right now? And how is the “grace of transfiguration” healing them?
—Andi Lewis, Prairiewoods marketing coordinator