Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Clare's prayer when his father passed

At our combined Family Home Evening Rosalie shared the story of the early passing of her great grandfather. He was a spiritual strength to the whole family. He was a senior member of the High Council and best friend of the Stake President Clifford Young. He had given the closing prayer in the Saturday evening priesthood leadership session of the conference. President Clifford Young (Uncle Cliff) had given some lengthy instructions. [Bernard leaned over to Myron Moyle and whispered that he wished that Cliff would finish.] When he arrived home he went to bed by himself.

At the death of Bernard Christensen, his son Clare Bernard Christensen gave a prayer at the foot of the bed. It is an understatement to just share the prayer, but it was significant and perhaps in effect today. So at this moment I share this prayer:

Our Father in Heaven: This is indeed a bitter moment! We loved our father and Thou hast taken him. But Thou gives and Thou taketh away, and blessed is Thy name. Since Thou hast taken him and the strength of his faith is removed from us, wilt Thou open the windows of Heaven and pour us out a blessing of faith in Thee and in Thy Eternal purposes? Make us equal to what Thou has given. We stand up now Lord to accept that which Thou has given.

Then three months later Clare Christensen was called to the High Council to take his fathers place. He was ordained a High Priest by Clifford Young on April 14, 1940.

See The Christensen Family (the blue book) p 289-290