Daydream believer

500 years ago tomorrow a young sculptor called Michelangelo Buonarroti started work on a painting that remains one of the artistic wonders of the world - the monumental ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

I wonder how Michaelangelo felt, five centuries ago, as he looked up at the vast ceiling - 550 square meters of damp grey plaster. We know that he took the commission with great reluctance. He must have known that he was facing years of back-breaking work at great height. He knew that he would face the scathing criticism of rival painters. And he wasn't even confident he was going to be paid for the job. He could have been forgiven for thinking that the task could never be finished - so it wasn't worth starting. And yet, 500 years ago, he started work.

The ceiling fresco in the Sistine Chapel took four and a half years to complete. Michaelangelo's painting is a work of theology as much as art. It is also triumph of hope and endurance.

In an increasingly cynical culture we need to cherish the dreamers - people of hope and vision who believe that great things can be achieved and the world can be changed.

God of hope, we pray for a recovery of hope in our culture.
That from today's young people you will raise up
artists who can reflect the truth with love;
politicians and protesters driven by a vision of a better world;
comedians with a sense of innocent fun;
and Christian leaders burning with the hope of glory.
Amen

(Radio 4 Prayer for the day)

Make me, Lord, a dreamer for Your kingdom
Plant in my heart heavenly desires
Grant faith that can say, impossibilities shall be
And vision lest a world should perish not knowing Thee

Make me, Lord, a dreamer for Your kingdom
I would aspire to greater goals in God
So cause faith to rise, to motivate each word and deed
A faith that's well convinced that Jesus meets every need

Make me, Lord, a dreamer for Your kingdom
Dreams that will change a world that's lost its way
May dreams that first found their birth in Your omnipotence
Come alive in me, becoming reality

(Chris Bowater)

This song always makes me think of my fellow dreamer and soul mate Dave Bowles.

God bless you Dave.