We have longed shared many serious situations in the Mashal on behalf of people going through times of great strain, with everything from challenges to health, relationships, finances, career and even their freedom. These inevitably affect not just the people most immediately concerned, but also those who are seeking to care and pray for them.

Thank you all so much for being willing to share the load, and to carry each other’s burdens, thereby playing your part in fulfilling the Lord’s command. (Gal. 6:2). This is a devotional prayer to increase our hope and resilience as we face many challenges.

This day, open the pores of my heart to catch teardrops of concern from Your heart, and dewdrops of refreshment.

Open the windows that shed light on my mind, that I may catch the echoes of Your mind, and let no word of the Lord fall to the ground.

You never promised us a rose garden; we are here to follow Your bidding – and to do Your will calls for love and sacrifice as we seek to fulfil our duties, and to perform Your purposes.

Grant us a strong hope and never-failing patience, even when dealing with difficult situations, and bruised, broken or bludgeoning people, with all their limitations and imperfections.

Grant us a heart to understand, eyes that seek out beauty in the midst of turmoil, the ability to hear and respond to whatever promptings of Your Spirit will expand our vision, and enable us to be of service to You.

May our feet be shod with heavenly purpose, and be willing to push beyond the shallows of indifference into the full stream of the circumstances that we must face, trusting in the sovereign Providence that lies beyond that can make all things work together for the good of those who are called by Your name.

Thank You that we never know what You can do until we remember to give situations to You.

Though the sky be dark today for . . . for . . . and for . . . thank You that each storm will pass, the clouds will roll by, and Your purposes will win through – for the faith of a Christian remains on top of everything, despite all that has gone awry.

May our days be well spent, and our hearts be not lacking in gratitude as we cling to You, our hope and life giver. Help us not to put off such things as we need to tackle today – but also to know when we can safely leave matters with You and rest.

Thank You for the strength You give each one of us to bear the burdens of each day. Renew our hope and courage to face the obstacles, and not to shrink from difficulties. Conquering Hero, fill our hearts again to persevere through each apparent delay or denial, and to trust that something fresh, and maybe even something better, will take the place of that which has been lost.

Thank You that it is not the speed, the scale, or the outward success of our efforts that You reward, but the fact that we are seeking to live each day for You, despite the wrong turns that we or others may have taken, and the harsh twists that come our way.

Keep us from the night of despair as we contemplate the gaps and losses, and from dwelling over long on what is missing, and on what might have been; rather may we throw open the windows of our hearts and welcome You afresh today. For the sap will surely rise again, even as it does in the miracle of each tree coming to life again with resurrection power after the winter storms have passed: sap that brings life to our soul but a sticky end to fears and doubts.

So help us to praise before we grumble, and to give You the chance to put all right. Thank You that our very weakness, and our calling on You, attract Your attention and compassion. Renew the stream of our thoughts on the powerful wing of prayer – for You win Your greatest victories in the darkest hours of adversity and even calamity – for there will always come a fresh knock on our door. We rise to greet it in Jesus’ name.

Two powerful pieces Vivaldi

It is a joy to share these two pieces of music by Vivaldi with you as we pray people we know who are going through the mill, as the Lord brings them to mind.

The first piece is from the concerto known as The Tempest, which we recorded fully a decade ago, but which I have been awaiting a suitable moment to release. The racing scales and turbulent arpeggios remind us of fierce ocean gales – and of the challenges that many of us face too.

Secondly, here is the exquisite slow movement from Winter in his inspired Four Seasons. God is with us in winter, and winter finally yields place to spring . . .