It was getting late when I went for the second time into my four year old granddaughter’s room to remind her to settle down and go to sleep. I looked at her wide open eyes and said, “I’ll just sit here in your chair until you go to sleep.” “You’re going to stay with me?” she asked, and turned over and was asleep almost immediately. I waited in the dark until I was sure she wouldn’t wake up and tiptoed out her door. I worried that she might expect me to wait with her every time I babysat, but this scene was never repeated. That one night she needed someone to “stay” with her.

That one day two disciples were steeped in grief walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus when they were joined by a stranger who talked to them kindly about the scriptures and the events that had caused them their grief. When they reached Emmaus the stranger walked on, but the disciples said, “Stay with us; it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” (Luke 24:28) the stranger stayed and broke bread with the disciples and they knew Him to be their friend and teacher Jesus. They knew, too, that they wanted to return to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples that they had seen the crucified Jesus.

In the new year I can hardly think of a more powerful prayer than the simple one of “Stay with us.” Perhaps our world has never been in greater need of the reassuring presence of our Savior God than now. When the multiplicity of needs and alarms that confront us every day leave us wondering where to turn, “Stay with us”, is a prayer that receives a prompt and powerful response. When we say “Stay with us” to our God, we effectively reverse the fall, for Adam’s sin made Adam hide from God, but “Stay with us” invites God into our lives, the very place He desires to be .

Jesus’ revealing Himself in the bread brought instant joy and consolation to the disciples, and even his disguised presence on the road brought “burning hearts” with a sense of His truth. “Stay with us (or me)” is a powerful prayer. I’m making it my New Year’s prayer.

Love in Him,

Prue