From Pope Leo's new exhortation:  

    Dilexi Te (I Have Loved You)

 

You can download the pope's text here,

free of charge.  

 

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 10/10

I'm more aware and more aware, Lord,
of moments of grace in my everyday life...

Moments, Lord, just moments:
   some as brief as a fleeting insight,
   no longer than a passing smile,
   here, now gone - like many joys...

Moments, Lord, sweet moments:

    like an unexpected compliment

    a warm and treasured memory,     

    a hint of hope in troubled times...

 

Moments, Lord, like
    the first notes of a favorite song,
    the rush of good news finally come,
   wisdom whispering in my thoughts...

 

Moments, Lord, like
   a trace of your grace from out of the blue,
   your Spirit's wink confirming my trust,
  a peal of bells: all shall be well!

 

I'm more and more grateful, Lord,
    for special moments in each day:

may these moments come more often,

    may I miss not even one!

Amen.

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 10/9

I'm not sure I'm a needy person, Lord,

but I know my needs are many...

 

I'm in need of your amazing grace

to strengthen me in hard times, 

to bless me in the good times,

to guide me when I'm lost

and show me my way home...

 

I'm in need of your love, Lord:

a love that never fails me,

a love that understands me,

a patient love that's always there

to heal my broken heart...

 

I'm in need of your mercy, Lord:

flowing freely from your heart,

pardoning and forgiving me,

washing clean the tarnished slate 

of my embarrassed conscience...

 

I'm in need of your peace, Lord:

the peace that calms my hidden fears,

eases my anxiety, stills my soul

and tunes my inmost being

to the beauty of your song...

 

And I'm in need of a refuge, Lord:

a dwelling where I'm welcome, 

a haven where you shelter me,

a quiet sanctuary

where I walk on holy ground...

 

I'm in need of you, O God,

and of so very many things

that only you can give me:

be generous and fill my soul

with gifts to make me whole... 

 

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

 

In Need by Ross King

 

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

  

In need of grace, in need of love
In need of mercy raining down from high above
In need of strength, in need of peace
In need of things that only You can give to me

(2X) 

In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb
My refuge strong, the great I Am
This is my song, my humble plea
I am Your child, I am in need 

 

In need of grace, in need of love
In need of mercy raining down from high above
In need of strength, in need of peace
In need of things that only You can give to me

 

Chorus

 

In need of grace, in need of love
In need of mercy raining down from high above
In need of strength, in need of peace
In need of things that only You can give to me 

 

Chorus

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

 

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 10/9

    Photo by ToastedSquirrel

It's still mild enough for me to sit on the patio in back of the rectory and have some toast and coffee there in the morning. I've noticed that the squirrels and chipmunks becoming increasingly braver and bolder as they scurry around and near me. I suspect their courage is born of their need to gather in whatever they might need to survive the winter ahead.  All this has put me in mind of a few lines often attributed to St. Francis of Assisi... 

I once spoke to my friend, 

an old squirrel, 
about the sacraments.

He got so excited 

and ran into a hollow in his tree 
and came back holding some acorns, 
an owl feather and a ribbon he found. 

And I just smiled and said, 
"Yes, dear, you understand: 
everything imparts His grace."  

Let's pause for prayer...

Lord, help me find and keep and treasure 

the acorns, the feathers and ribbons 
that unveil your presence,

and reveal your glory
in my life, 

in my nest,
today...

Make me grateful 

for even the smallest ways 

you show your face, 
touch my heart,

share your grace 
and leave a trace 

of your presence  

right by my side...

 

Let me find my joy in simple gifts:
in falling leaves and an autumn breeze,
in apple cider, in pumpkins and squash
and in all the holy outward signs

this season offers my soul...

 

Yours is the earth, Lord, and all it holds,
the world and all who dwell here!

Psalm 24:1 

I rejoice in your creation
and in all things bright and beautiful,
in all your creatures great and small,
in all things wise and wonderful:
   Lord God, you made them all!

Amen.

All Things Bright and Beautiful 

    by John Rutter

 

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here! 

 

 

 

All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful:
the Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors
He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountains,
the river running by,
the sunset and the morning
that brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden:
He made them every one.

God gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God Almighty,
who has made all things well.

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 10/8

Every once in a while it dawns on me, Lord,
how petty, how passing and inconsequential 
are so many things renting space in my mind 
and filling my heart with worry and fear...

Every once in a while I get a clear view 
of what really matters, the things that count, 
of what makes a difference in how I live 
and what makes a difference to you...

Every once in a while I get some perspective 
on how small my world has become, 
how entitled, short-sighted and selfish my take 
on what burdens the hearts of others...

Every once in a while, at least now and then, 
-and just as happened today, Lord- 
I look through your eyes and feel with your heart 
and I see my life as you do...

I see my burdens, my blessings and gifts, 
I feel my pain, my healing and peace; 
I accept what's hard, what's real and true, 
I know my sins and your mercy and grace...

I see myself as I truly am: 
troubled and calm; broken and healed; 
lonely and loved; forgotten and found; 
fragile and strong; fearful and sure; 
doubting and faithful; hungry and fed...

And it dawns on me, Lord - as if anew: 
you're my Maker and I'm your child;
you're my refuge, my haven, my strength;
you're my Savior, my mercy and pardon, 
you're my way, my truth and my life; 
you're my Lord, my God and my all; 
my life’s in your hands 
– and you won't let go...

Only in you does my life make sense, Lord, 
only in you will I find myself; 
only in you will I know the truth 
and only in you will I be at peace...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake 
    and watch over me while I sleep 
that awake, I might keep watch with you 
    and asleep, rest in your peace...

God Only Knows 

   by For King and Country

 

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

Wide awake while the world is sound asleep and
Too afraid of what might 

   show up while you’re dreamin’
’Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you
Nobody, nobody will believe you

Everyday you try to pick up all the pieces
All the memories they somehow never leave ya
Nobody, nobody, nobody sees you
Nobody, nobody will believe you

God only knows what you been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows how it’s killing you
But there’s a kind of a love that, God only knows 

(2X) 

There’s a kind love that, there’s a kind of love...

You keep a cover over every single secret
So afraid if someone saw them, they would leave
But somebody, somebody, somebody sees you
Somebody, somebody will never leave you

God only knows what you been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows how it’s killing you
But there’s a kind of a love that, God only knows 

(2X) 

There’s a kind love that, there’s a kind of love,
There’s a kind love that, there’s a kind of love...

For the lonely, for the ashamed
The misunderstood and the ones to blame

What if we can start over, we could start over,

we could start over (2x)

There’s a kind of love that God only knows

God only knows what you been through
God only knows what they say about you
God only knows the real you
There’s a kind of a love that, God only knows

(2X) 

 

There’s a kind love that, there’s a kind of love,
There’s a kind love that, there’s a kind of love...

 

God only knows where to find you 

God only knows how to break through 

God only knows the real you 

There's a kind of love that God only knows  

 

 

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: WEDNESDAY 10/8

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 10/7

Tonight: a litany of seasonal images, a simple guitar solo, a few questions to spark our prayer...

Autumn...

    summer fades,

    time flies,

    sun hides,

    seasons turn,

    colors change,

    leaves fall,

    rain pours,

    harvests yield,

    air chills,

    frost numbs,

    shadows lengthen,

    night falls,

    silence stills,

    Spirit visits,

    grace attends,

    God whispers,

    I pray... 

Tonight's music is instrumental: you might play it while praying through the lines following the widget... 

Autumn Hymn by Dong Hwan Noh 

If  a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 

Lord,  

    help me hear what word, what wisdom

        you're whispering to me tonight...

 

And help me know 

    what words of prayer and praise

        I might whisper in turn to you...

 

And help me see how your Spirit,

    in our whispered conversation,

        might help me through 

            this season in my heart...

 

Protect us, Lord, while we're awake

    and watch over us while we sleep

that awake we might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen. 

 

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 10/7

Photo by Juan Rodriguez

  

You've given me another day to live,

a day to shape into something beautiful,

a day to serve others, a day to give you thanks,

another day in the life of you and me...

 

How would you have me spend this day, Lord? 

With whom would you have me share it?

Along what path will your Spirit draw me?

Close to whose heart will your heart lead me?

What word would you have me speak today?
What quiet time have you planned for you and me to share?
What tears might I cry today, Lord?
And with what joy will you touch my soul?

When I'm tired today, give me strength, Lord.
When I'm moving too fast, slow me down.
When I'm saying too much, let me know
and when I need to speak, give me words to say...

Give me patience with this day's routine
and open my eyes to what's fresh and new.
This day comes to me, blessed by your hand, Lord,
may I return it with praise, my gift to you...

Amen.


Tweet

   
Subscribe to A Concord Pastor Comments 

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!

  

NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 10/6

Thank you, Lord, for these October days

    when the mercury in the 80s

        finds me in such good humor... 

 

I love these sweet, warm autumn times

    when summer takes a final bow

        before the curtain falls...

 

Bonus days of undeservèd grace:

    reminders of what's slipped away

        'til spring renews the promise...

But what of Ukraine, Lord,

    where summer never had a chance

        while war was still in season?

 

What sweet relief might bless her days

    when wartime's unrelenting heat

        wilts and melts her dreams? 

 

What promise might she cling to

    when all around her cities fall

        as terror stalks her nights?

 

What bonus days has she to cheer

    while gathering her children

        in subway station shelters?

 

Send her and all the world, Lord,

    a season of your healing peace,

        a respite from the chaos... 

Give us the will to change our ways,

    to tame the climate in our hearts, 

        to change the seasons in our souls...

 

Give us some bonus days of grace

    to warm us to your saving word,

        your promise of a peaceful spring... 

         

Protect us, Lord while we're awake

    and watch over us while we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

 

In This Season by  

    Karen Crane and Abby Lockaby 

 

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

 

 

 

Tweet   

SUBSCRIBE HERE!