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 series of books, Touched By His Hand, Touching Down, Touching the Seasons and Heaven Touching Earth, supplemented by Calling Mars and Calling Venus, both written at the suggestion of Kevin Mayhew and aimed specifically at men and women respectively. In the following, for example, taken from Heaven Touching Earth, a prayer is inspired by the sight of a carnival, and gratefully acknowledges that we have so much to celebrate.
The carnival
A carnival atmosphere, they called it . . .
and it was –
people dancing and singing in the streets,
laughing, applauding, chatting and cheering,
everywhere a sea of exuberant celebration.
For one day, at least, the drabness of life was swept away,
replaced by a vibrant tapestry of sound and colour.
Lord, I have so much to celebrate,
yet instead of rejoicing in all you have given,
the countless blessings you so freely shower upon me,
I brood over disappointments,
fret about the future,
complain about my lot
and dwell on my troubles
until I can no longer see beyond them,
my spirit closed to the generosity of your provision.
Forgive me,
and teach me each day
to exult in your awesome gift of life,
now and for all eternity.
Amen.