Before retiring, I served on the pastoral staff of Sydney’s Wesley Mission. It is centrally located on one of the city’s main streets, not far from two underground railway stations and several city bus routes. 

Many people with special needs meet at the mission and find it to be a place of care. In one of several congregations for which I was responsible, almost half of the members were living with mental illness, a number of them with schizophrenia.

After one of our weekly lunch-hour services, I saw two men patiently waiting for me in the glass-walled church. I went over and sat with them.

‘We would like you to pray with us,’ they said.

As soon as I had prayed, one of the men prayed, ‘God, save us from doing anything to harm ourselves or anyone else.’

Twelve years later, I am still deeply moved by his prayer. I am blessed by his deep cry for God’s help and by the prayer’s sincerity, simplicity, humility and trust.

Prayer: O God, move us all with a deeper caring for people who are living with mental illness. May our actions reflect our concern and our lives reflect your love. Amen