Today was a beautiful Sunday, the morning gleaming with yellow sunshine reflecting down from a crystal clear azure blue sky. The moon, Mr. Waning Gibbous, hanging high in the sky, not bedded down yet, had pulled the blue sky covers up to his neck, so luminious he was almost translucent. The morning was cooled with a fall breeze rustling the leaves and swaying the zinnias and dried sunflower blooms.

The butterflies gussied up in their orange and yellow and black dance costumes flitted happily in the sunshine, dancing like today was their last dance recital. The sky was fall blue but the sun was summer hot! The cardinals and finches, beautifully dressed in a farrago of colors, frolicking in yesterday’s freshly mowed yard, were talking and singing, getting ready for their symphonies of Sunday services. A few titmice and a few chickadees were on the sidelines, perched on the bannisters and power lines, waiting for their turns on the feeders and an invitation to church.

Sundays have always been special in the south — morning church services with family, coming home to delicious home-cooked family dinners, afternoon visits from loved ones, car rides to nowhere, peaceful naps, and porch sitting. A feeling of peace and quietness is experienced on Sunday mornings that other week days don’t have. The hustle and bustle of the every day work day forgotten. As I finished writing that sentence I realize the world no longer spins slower on Sunday mornings. Such a shame we’re putting commerce ahead of God. Our country’s love of the almighty dollar no longer has the time to close the stores and spend a day of rest on the Lord’s day. Maybe the whole world needs a day of rest and reflection to get her priorities straight.

I can remember riding around on Sunday afternoons as a child, no special agenda, just a car ride on a lazy relaxed afternoon, windows down weather permitting. I can remember family sitting on the porch talking as the swing squeaked, enjoying being together after a Sunday dinner roast that had cooked in the oven while we were at church. I think we sat around on the porch just waiting to be hungry enough for a second dessert.

Exodus 20: 8-10 reads, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work.” On Sunday we should turn our thoughts to God, give thanks for all our blessings, say our prayers in the quiet stillness. We all find our churches in various places, in the woods, in our gardens, in our kitchens, in our porch swings, but wherever you feel closest to God give him a special Sunday thank you for another day on this wondrous planet Earth.

Don’t let Sunday just be the day of the week before Monday, the day that follows Saturday, together composing the weekend. Turn your hearts and your thoughts to God on Sundays and speak to God in prayer. The world is in dire need of our prayers, not just on Sunday, but every day. Daily prayer will bless you, your family, and the others you pray for. We can bring peace to the world through our prayers.

“Never underestimate the power of prayer. One small prayer can change your life dramatically.” — Unknown