Sunday, May 10, 2020  

Today’s Hymn
Teach me to feel that thou art always nigh.
Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear,
to check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh.
Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

“Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” (v. 4) by George Croly
Hymn 688, Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal

Reflection
Doubt has been as much a part of my spiritual life as faith has for as long as I can remember. As a child, I asked a lot of questions, because things just didn’t add up to me. Preachers would talk of this man in the sky who speaks to us and has a relationship with us and gives us directions for our lives, but I couldn’t wrap my head around this God or figure out what my instructions were. I still can’t, and I’m not sure I ever will. 

Yet even in my infinite doubts, I have always managed to find divinity in the world—in the little things that are simply too perfect for me to fathom. When snow silently blankets the city, when I witness health care and nonprofit workers fighting for their communities, when the first flowers of spring begin to bloom, I feel the Spirit creep in. I think for skeptics like me, God speaks not in a booming voice, but in these quiet moments of divinity that give me the smallest glimpse of the incomprehensible. 

Prayer
Spirit of God, teach me to feel that thou art always nigh. Amen.

Written by Allie Green, Director, Urban Youth Mission

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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