A Moment For Awe

As we move into this weekend, during which we will experience the longest day of the year, the summer solstice, and observe Father's Day, at least in the US, I thought I would share with you a graphic I stumbled on in the Pew Forum Transcript of a conference in May featuring Francis Collins and entitled "Religion and Science: Conflict or Harmony?". Anyone who has read this blog for a while will realize that I have an abiding interest in the intersection of religious belief and scientific investigation. At any rate, as part of Dr. Collins' presentation, he shared this graphic of the Rose window in Westminster Cathedral and a view of the human DNA.

Another Type of Prayer

In contrast to the imprecatory prayers employed by Wiley Drake, consider this prayer written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, while he was in prison, awaiting the final outcome of his sentence for being involved in a plot to assassinate Hitler.

O God, early in the morning I cry to you.
Help me to pray and gather my thoughts to you, I cannot do it alone.
In me it is dark, but with you there is light;
I am lonely, but you do not desert me;
My courage fails me, but with you there is help;
I am restless, but with you there is peace;
in me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience;
I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me.
Father in Heaven praise and thanks be to you for the night’s rest,
Praise and thanks be to you for the new day.
Praise and thanks be to you for all your loving-kindness and faithfulness in my past life.
You have shown me so much goodness; let me also accept what is hard to bear from your hand.
You will not lay a heavier burden on me than I can carry.
You make all things serve for the best for your children.
Lord, whatever this day brings, your name be praised.