Covenant thoughts

From yesterday’s part of the Covenant Prayer we move to a section of contrasts.

let me be full,
let me be empty,
let me have all things,
let me have nothing:

On reading these words, I recall how Jesus challenged the rich young man by saying, “There is still one thing you have missed. Sell everything you possess and give the money away to the poor, and you will have riches in Heaven. Then come and follow me.” Luke 18:22 (J B Phillips)

Perhaps this prayer I discovered will help us understand this portion of the covenant prayer. 

Help me not to put too much stock in possessions, Lord. I want things, sure. But life seems to be a continual round of wanting things -- from the first toys we fight over as children to our thrilled unwrapping of wedding presents to those we buy in our old age. Our concern is not primarily love and friends and pride in what we can do, but things. 

Sometimes I'm ashamed of how much I want mere possessions -- things for my husband and the house and the children. Yes, and things for myself, too. And this hunger is enhanced every time I turn on the television or walk through a shopping centre. My senses are tormented by the dazzling world of things.

Here is one person’s experience. “Lord, cool these fires of wanting. Help me to realise how futile is this passion for possessions. Because -- and this is what strips my values to the bone -- one of my best friends died today in the very midst of her possessions. 

She was in the beautiful home she and her husband worked so hard to achieve, the home that was finally furnished the way she wanted it with the best of everything. She was surrounded by the Oriental rugs she was so proud of, the formal French sofas, the painting, the china and glass, the handsome silver service...She had been snatched away while silently, almost cruelly, THEY remain. Lord, I grieve for my friend. My heard hurts that she had so little time to enjoy the things that she had earned and that meant so much to her. But let me learn something from this loss; that possessions are meant to enhance life, not to become the main focus of living. Help me remember that we come into the world with nothing and we leave with nothing.

Lord, don't let me put too much stock in mere possessions. let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing, amen”