Psalm 10

"Yahweh, you listen to the wants of the humble
you bring strength to their hearts, you grant them a hearing,
judging in favor of the orphan and exploited,
so that earthborn man may strike fear no longer."
Psalm 10:17-18

In many faith traditions the lighting of candles accompanies the saying of prayers. This isn't something that I grew up with or have ever found particularly inviting on a personal level. However this summer as I walked through some of the great cathedrals of Europe and England I was drawn to the candles in a new way.
What I witnessed were people lighting candles and then spending time (not 30 sec. but minutes and more) in prayer in front of or near by the candles they had lite. Those who I witnessed lighting candles were often either older or younger. Sometimes those lighting them looked as if they had spent a lot of time on the streets of the city. All of those who lite candles did so with a great reverence and what seemed to be a deep faith commitment.
Now I don't believe that lighting a candle increases the chances that God is going to hear our prayers. What I am beginning to understand though is that for the humble, the abused, the forgotten, and so many others lighting a simple candle is a way of giving tangible hope to the prayers they have to and for God. The candle, I would guess, helps ease the fear of all the things that are conspiring against them. It is a way of remembering that God is for them and hears their prayers.
This afternoon I think I might find a candle and a little quiet and spend some time with God.