All of us need inspiration to get us through the challenges of this life and to know that God is the wellspring that refreshes our spirits, gives us courage, and guides our footsteps.

Each week the Globe publishes a “Prayer for Willie” taken from a collection by Dr. Hamilton T. Boswell, to remind each of us of the presence of God in our lives, no matter what faith, denomination or interpretation we choose for ourselves.

Gracious God, whose gifts are many and of every different kind, we rejoice in your gift of a world of science and technology.

By these, You have enabled us to benefit so greatly, especially in the health and welfare of people everywhere.

How thankful we are for the computerization that serves us.

But Lord, we miss faces with smiles and other human expressions of hurt or wonder, for now we envision shadows darkly etched in a cold collection of data.

Help us, Lord, that we forget not people behind the data.

Is it not the face of a child rather than a numbered chip that is Your miracle of creation?

Tell us again, O Lord, about the shepherd who left his flock, the ninety and nine, to find the one who was lost.

Amen

For information regarding Prayers For Willie, Pathways for Daily Living, please e-mail Eleanor Boswell-Raine at eleanor@theglobenewspapers.com or telephone her at 510-222-5656.

Unavoidable adversity
in your life

When adversity comes into our lives, it is often accompanied by shock. Even when the trial we face is expected, the pain we feel is still difficult to bear. However, God, in His grace, limits the intensity of the adversity and streamlines it to our capacity to bear it. Remember, no matter how painful our circumstance, God is committed to us, and He promises to bring blessing out of the most difficult trial.
   “And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose,” (Rom. 8:28). You may wonder how anything good can come out of the death of a loved one, or how you can find hope in the middle of a painful illness or a messy divorce. You see, God knows things we can never know. He is God, and He is all powerful. He is our loving, heavenly father, and there is nothing that is beyond His capacity to handle.
    Your loved one may be gone, you may have been forced into early retirement, or your husband, wife, son or daughter may have left home with no plans of returning. Your world may be falling apart, but Jesus has the remedy for all that you are feeling. In Mark 4:35, Jesus said, “... Let us pass over unto the other side.” He knew that the storm was coming. He also knew that he would say, “... Peace, be still,” (Mark 4:39), and that they would sail through it and come safely to the other shore.
    God allows difficulties for a purpose. He wants us to trust Him more fully and on a deeper level. He will always bring us safely to the other shore of our adve