Revelation 21:1-5 (NRSV)

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

"See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them;

he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away."

And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true."

The one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new."

- Revelation 21:5 (NRSV)

I am a disability-support worker, employed in a group house working with young adults with physical and intellectual disabilities. There is one disabled man there whom I will call John. He cannot speak and frequently has outbursts of uncontrollable rage that damage property and upset the other residents.

A co-worker once pointed out to me that praying with John for his mother and other loved ones seemed to calm him at bedtime. I understood why when John's mother told me how she took him to church when he was younger. During bedtime prayer one night, I noticed a look of contentment settling over John's face - a gentle smile which is difficult to describe and hard to forget. It was as if someone had drawn near to John and gently touched his face. I felt privileged and deeply moved as I witnessed this change affecting John. The peaceful change happened again recently as we prayed with John at a prayer meeting. John has since initiated a prayer group with the use of sign language.

The transformation I saw in John as we prayed reminded me of God's power to make all things new.

Prayer: Dear Lord, open our hearts and enable us to listen to you and to others. Teach us the power of prayer. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

God can speak clearly even without words.

PRAYER FOCUS:

Disabled young adults