Prayer on the bus

“Where you go, I go”

-Ruth 1:16 (The Message Bible)

“Wherever I am, God is”

-James Dillet Freeman

Frequently, I take the bus. Not as a commuter to work but asa sightseer, for pleasure. I go along, just for the ride. I am driven, not towhere I have to go or need to go, but to where I want to go.

Here is leisure and time enough to transform my journey intoan opportunity for and an occasion of intercessory prayer. But I am beaten toit by Coast Mountain Transit. The company has, for the benefit of seniors, thedisabled and infant strollers, designated vehicles as “dedicated” and”kneeling.”

Who do I pray for?

I pray for the dialer commuter, those whose work is stressful,unsatisfying and burdensome; those on sick and compassionate leave, facingredundancy, retirement and disciplinary action. I pray for families who neversee paycheques.

I pray for the company’s management, maintenance crews,customer service representatives, transit police, cleaners and my jolly, youngdriver whose roomy T-shirt proclaims “No means NO!” Give to each, patience andjust reward.

I look around. My fellow passengers represent differentfaiths and cultures. Pray for newcomers to our shores, for the disabled, theslow.

I look up. A route map is displayed. I name the stoppingplaces one by one-those who live and work there.

I look out. I pray for the neighbourhoods and places.

“Where’er they seek they,

you art found”

-William Cowper, 1769.