The Seeds of Concern Are Given for Planting
“In prayer, the seeds of concern have a way of appearing. Often enough a concern begins in a feeling of being liable, personally responsible for someone or some event. With it may come an intimation that one should do some little thing: speak to some person, make an inquiry into a certain situation, write a letter, send some money, send a book. Or it may be a stop in our minds about some pending decision, or a clear directive that now is not the time to rest, or an urge to stay home when we had been meaning to be away. It may be that no more than this will be given to us. But this seed is given us to follow, and if we do not follow it, we cannot expect to see what may grow from it. Seeds, not fruit, are given in prayer, but they are given for planting.”
— Douglas Steere, 1962 (source)
Quaker ecumenist and relief organizer
Today’s Invitation
Consider if you feel personally responsible for someone or some event. Do some little thing, planting the seed to see what may grow from it.
This Week’s Query
How have you seen Quaker faith and process meet the challenges of our time?
If the world could learn one thing from Quakers, what would it be? How would that change the world?
Banner art by Maggie Fiori
