Psalm 138
Florence Nightingale, Nurse and Social Reformer
The Psalter is a book of prayers which have been used by believers down through the ages. They address a variety of experiences of the human condition. Some of them are individual prayers and some are communal in nature.
Today’s reading is an individual’s song of thanksgiving and praise. It acknowledges God’s holiness and faithfulness and our need to stand humbly before the Lord. There is a section of petition that the kings or leaders of the peoples of the earth would acknowledge the ways of the Lord who cares for the lowly as well as the proud. The psalm ends with a statement of trust in the care and saving grace of the Lord whose love endures forever.
This week is National Nursing Week and today, International Nurses Day, we remember the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, on her birthday. Nightingale, a social reformer, established a nursing school at St. Thomas Hospital in London where she encouraged her students to develop observation skills and sensitivity to patients’ needs. Although this was a secular school, Nightingale encouraged her nurses to spend time in scripture and prayer at the beginning of each day thus acknowledging the importance of working in partnership with the Lord in this challenging and rewarding vocation.
Psalm 138 is certainly an appropriate prayer for nurses as we walk alongside our patients each day and advocate for their best care. It reminds us of the Lord’s love and faithfulness that is shown in every situation including in times of trouble and suffering. Nurses can be reminded that it is in the Lord that we find our courage and strength. It includes prayer for those in leadership positions that they would bow down in humility to the care and compassion of our Lord. We can trust in the Lord in every step of our vocation.
Praise to you, O Lord!
Elsie Millerd, Parish Nurse
No comments:
Post a Comment