A Prayer for Departing Children

An answer to prayer walked through my door last night - an adult child returned home from a few days away.  I had wrestled with his departure, his destiniation, the unmapped future. His trip forced me to trust in God's love for him as greater than my own.  Forced me to trust in God's love to carry ME through whatever might happen to my son.

Pre-written prayers are new to our home.  Rich's upbringing in a Plymouth Brethren Chapel has influenced our own spiritual practices to avoid liturgy.  But a week ago, as this dear son walked into what felt unknown and out of my control, I found comfort in a pre-written prayer.  The words expressed what my heart yearned but couldn't voice.

Before he left, my son moaned when I asked him to wait a minute.  I fetched Common Prayer from my night stand and returned to the kitchen.  Tears welled up in my eyes as I read:

"May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you.

May he guide you through the wilderness; protect you through the storm;

May he bring you home rejoicing at the wonders he has shown you.

May he bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors."

He hugged me.  Thanked me.  And then left. 

And he returned.  Safe.  Home.  He enthuastically shared all the wonders he had seen, we rejoiced.

Fox Catcher: Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Orginary Radicals