Winter Evening Prayer

There are many reasons and warnings of why January 2021 might be an astoundingly hard month across the United States if not the world. As I sit looking out my window while the darkness falls I know I feel low and afraid of it. While I am used to that feeling, and accept and understand it, I search for resolve and strength, as I know the value of facing down relentless fear of the snake brain with higher executive functioning, or as Shirzad Chamine calls it, “the Sage brain.”

It’s been ages since I turned to the traditional prayers of my Christian youth, but touching higher ground is what spiritual words help humans do. The corporate prayers I started with held familiar comforting words, but within sentences confronted me with authoritarian patriarchal language that no longer elevates me. Then I remembered Bobby McFerrin’s stunning remake of one of my favorite psalms, the 23rd.

just what I needed and wanted. I hope it lightens any darkness for you too.