Tremendous thunder storm ripped through here last night. I use the descriptor because at one point it sounded like the sky was literally “ripping” apart. When I got up this morning I saw the source of the ripping sound….a large part of my tree was down and there was more in the front yard. There was quite a light show.
Not long ago that much activity would have had me running around the house, checking rain spouts and seeing what was going on. Perhaps its old age, but I never even got out of bed. I remember the words of Luther in the Small Catechism as he tried to get people to teach their children to pray.
Evening Prayer.
4] In the evening, when you go to bed, you shall bless yourself with the holy cross and say:
In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
5] Then, kneeling or standing, repeat the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer. If you choose, you may, in addition, say this little prayer:
I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Then go to sleep promptly and cheerfully.
I didn’t say the whole prayer over again – I just summarized – “into your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things.” And I went to sleep promptly.
tree down
