To me, prayer shouldn’t be separate from daily life, but should arise spontaneously from it, inspired by the ordinary sights, sounds and experiences that surround us. That was the raison d’être behind my book Touched By His Hand, as well as for the other books in the series, Heaven Touching Earth, Touching Down and Touching the Seasons. In the following, for example, the sight of a soaring seagull leads to a prayer seeking glorious freedom from everything in life that holds us captive.
The seagull
It rose effortlessly on the breeze,
instinctively catching the rising air –
first this current,
then another –
gliding,
swooping,
climbing,
diving,
riding the thermals with casual assurance
and exuberant delight.
Lord, release me from the chains that shackle me to this world,
encumbering my mind and imprisoning my spirit.
Grant me a deeper knowledge
of the truth that sets me free,
that I might rise on wings of faith
and soar in the light of your love,
celebrating the glorious liberty your grace bestows.
Amen.