When I pray and read the bible I light a candle. Gives me something to look at when I pretty frequently can't think what to say. Goes along with a coffee cup to huddle over. Blame the heavy duty pain medication I have been on and a host of other tedious reasons for feeling less than charging on all cylinders in the mornings! This morning I had a tough job snuffing the candle - it wouldn't blow out. It made me think that my faith was sufficiently tenancious but God has definitely not given up and there is a brilliant verse about Jesus not "putting out a flickering candle wick" Somewhere in the gospels - I think in Luke - it encourages me when for whatever reason I feel a bit less than stable.
Much later after tedious job applications and the usual round of chores and petrol station I walked into town and drifted into the cathedral mainly to escape the rain and to pray. And lit a candle for a friend with cancer. For a preaching friend, for a stressed nursing friend. It felt decidedly odd and a real privilege to be back walking around the place. Prayer as incense, prayer as candle smoke....
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