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 books Touching Down, Touched By His Hand, Heaven Touching Earth and Touching the Seasons, followed later by Calling Mars and Calling Venus, aimed specifically at men and women respectively. In the following, for example, taken from Touching Down, the sight of a sea wall on a coastal walk with my wife Deborah leads on to thoughts concerning the sureness of God’s promise.
The sea wall
It had taken a pounding,
day after day,
year after year,
the mighty sea relentlessly renewing its attack
as wave after wave hurled itself against the wall
and exploded in a cloud of spray.
Yet still it stood,
solid and defiant,
a massive bulwark guarding the town beyond.
Thank you, Lord, for guarding me,
faithfully providing shelter and protection
when storms brew
and waves threaten to sweep me away.
Thank you for the strength of your love
and certainty of your promise,
the knowledge that though all else may pass away
your goodness will continue,
solid and secure in an ever-changing universe.
Whatever I face, I will not fear,
for you are with me,
the same yesterday, today and for ever.
Amen.