Rosie Prohías Driscoll
“Prayer for Grace”
In times of desolation, I turn to Scripture and poetry. The poet Hopkins is a particular source of solace; his ability to express intense feelings of anxiety and doubt while holding on to faith comforts me when I am shrouded in darkness. During these times it feels like “grace comes not,” but I cling to hope that grace does come, just not as I expect, or, more importantly, desire. I may want the epiphany to appear in the burning bush or my parched soil to be flooded with rain, but God teaches me faith and patience by sending His grace in drops, almost imperceptibly, until consolation arrives to bear fruit in due time. I wanted the form of “Prayer for Grace” to reflect the meaning, the scarcity of words reflecting drops of grace. My hope is that the attention to scarcity will point toward abundance