"The Lord lives! Blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation…"
-Psalm 18:46
March 14, 2022
Higher Ground
“Be a prayer warrior, not a worrier” is an admonition borrowed from the 2021 Advent meditation composed by Steward Emeritus Dorothy Gilliam. She quoted a friend who had shared the phrase with her. I thought to myself “what a mighty goal.” Later the hymn lyrics for “Higher Ground” came to mind.
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining everyday…
My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground...
The hymn was composed in 1898 by Johnson Oatman. Without delving into his biography, I can only guess what precipitated such an aspirational song. I had spent the past year gnashing my teeth, wringing my hands and praying; some would consider that to be an incompatible combination. I was pleased whenever prayer overcame the worry and I slept through the night; truly those were hallelujah moments. If you have conquered worry with a faith that defeats every challenge, I hope to join you soon. But, if you occasionally fall in and out of the warrior position, I welcome you to my Lenten journey this year.
We are blessed to have an intercessor and a valiant defender who we can reach through word, song, or sigh. I am penning this reminder for each of you and to myself: breathe, reach out, and carry on.
Prayer
Thank you, great intercessor. Amen.
Marsha Turner Botts
Love & Peace Unit/SAMS
Lent 2022
We invite you to join us on a 40-day journey of prayer, financial sacrifice, physical activity, and spiritual connection.
Each day a new reflection with a scripture and prayer will be posted on the Metropolitan AME Church website and social media to encourage you as we prepare for Resurrection join us as we are reminded, awakened to the great power of God within us, and connect to our role in building with God a world of justice.
Read along with us each day or download the book to read and write along with us offline.