Philippians 4:6-7 – Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your minds in Christ Jesus.

We are such a busy people now, with our careers and courses (self-improvement), families, special events, volunteer work, hobbies, and so on. Even our vacations are hectic. Then suddenly, one day, we are faced with some bad news that almost makes the world stop in its course. Things will never be the same again.

How can we deal with bad news? Sooner or later it comes to everyone. The prophet Hosea said, "Take your words, and turn to the Lord." (Hosea 14:2) In my childhood home, my parents observed faithfully the practice of family prayers. If dad was at home, he called us together to read a passage from the Bible, and say a prayer. If he was away, mum did it. The wording of their prayers never varied. I thought God had to be spoken to in that particular way – thee and thou and canst and wouldst. Only much later in life, I came to an extremity, to howl at the feet of God in the same language I would use with anyone else.

God has called himself our Father. He always hears us when we, "take our words, and turn to the Lord."

Prayer: Our Father, in your mercy, hear our prayers. Interpret to us events that overwhelm. Amen.

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