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, our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

As your presence is all around us, so may Your mercy include us.

Remember not our shortcomings, but forgive us when we fail and go astray.

Increase our perception and dedication to the high purposes for which we are here.

Grant us more staying power as we confront controversy and crises before us in these times.

We solemnly ask anew Your patience as we seek perfection in all that we do this day.

As You were to the prophets and people of the past, so be to us, today.

"Thy word a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path."

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.

Relationship and fellowship

A father stands over the bassinet holding his newly born son. He is proud and happy because a manchild has been given to him from God.
    He beams with joy because a relationship is formed between him and his son, which only death can destroy. Then after the son begins to grow up and develops a personality of his own, the father and son not only have a relationship, but they also develop a genuine fellowship between themselves.
    The same is true on a spiritual plane. Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God,” (John 3:3). Therefore, we must be born spiritually into the family of God and be added to the church. When this happens, we have an internal relationship with God. Also, as we grow and learn more about God and His word, we have not only a relationship, but also fellowship. “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ,” (1 John 1:3).
    It is important to note that when we sin, we break our fellowship with God, but not our relationship. When God says we should confess our sins, and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” (John 1:9), He is simply saying that we should agree with Him, that we should obey His law and then fellowship will be restored.
    The prodigal son’s relationship with his father was never destroyed. He was always his father’s son. But, his acts of rebellion and sin broke their fellowship, and it was not restored until he had confessed his sins and returned to his father in submission and humility.
    Without relationship there can never be fellowship, but with relationship there can always be fellowship.