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Praying 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – Do Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Praying 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – Do Go Gentle Into That Good Night (Praying God’s Way to Grow Healthy, Spiritual Communities)
TEXT: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (CSB) We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.
DEVOTIONAL: Dylan Thomas wrote his most famous poem upon his father’s deathbed. This Welsh poet often recited the Bible in his poetry, along with blasphemous statements. Apparently, he was a reluctant agnostic who kept fighting against his inability or unwillingness to cross the line from doubting disbelief to honest doubting belief (we never have all our questions answered). This poem reflects the battle against death, “that good night”, from the perspective of ignorance and rage; instead of peace and hope that comes from Jesus’s resurrection. Here’s his poem:
Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
PRAYER: Oh, God of hope, sometimes we rage against death. This is not out of hopelessness for the future, but of loved ones in the present. When our “good night” comes, may we be ready for our “eternal present”; even as we struggle with the desire to stay. Confliction in this is an honest emotion. May our desire to depart be strong in hope when our time comes. Ultimately, You are our hope through Jesus. Amen.
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