NIGHT PRAYER: Saturday 913

I'm praying tonight, Lord, 

for anyone and everyone 

who heard bad news today:

    sad news, unwelcome news,

    unsettling, unexpected news,

    distressing, disappointing news,

    upsetting, startling, tearful news... 

 

The world hears bad news everyday

but sometimes, Lord, the news comes

with arrow-like precision:

    pointed, aimed and piercing through

    fragile, tender, open hearts...

 

With kindness and with healing, Lord,

touch and bless those wounded

by the news they heard today,

by tidings, sad and bleak...

And with healing grace and gentle voice

sing softly in their souls

the holy strains of your good news:

    all shall be well,

        yes, all things shall be well... 

 

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...

All Shall Be Well Be Well 

 by Barbara Bridge 

 

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All shall be well.  All shall be well, 

and all manner of thing,*

all manner of thing shall be well.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains;

from where shall come my help?

My help will come from God,

my creator, from God who made heaven and earth.

God will keep your feet from stumbling

and guard you as you rest;

for God never slumbers nor sleeps.

God is with you by day and by night.

For God will always guard you from evil

and keep your soul from harm;

and God will guard your coming and going,

both now and forever more.

*The refrain is a well known, much loved quote from 

Julian of Norwich who died in the early 15th century.

In the language of her time "All manner of thing" was

an acceptable figure of speech.  If, in our own time, 

you prefer to sing "things," go right ahead! 

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Pause for Prayer: SATURDAY 9/13

Today is the feast of Saint John Chrysostom who died in the early fifth century.  Known as a scripture scholar and great preacher, his words are not too ancient to speak to us in our own times.

We follow the ways of wolves, the habits of tigers: or, rather we are worse than they. To them nature has assigned that they should be thus fed, while God has honored us with rational speech and a sense of equity. And yet we are become worse than the wild beast.   - John Chrysostom

 Lord,

    tame my anger 

        with a gentle spirit, 

    exchange my harsh speech 

        for words that encourage,

    slow my quick judgements

         with patient endurance,

    curb my greed 

        with generous outreach,

    temper my thoughts 

        with your counsel and wisdom,

    dissolve my resentments 

        with kindness and mercy,

    shape my decisions

        with fairness and justice

    and keep me from playing 

        the wolf or the tiger

    - help me only become

        who made me to be...

 

Amen. 

     

     

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NIGHT PRAYER: Friday 9/12

 

I'm amazed, Lord,

at all the human heart can hold

- at one and the same time:

   doubt and faith,

   uncertainty and trust,

   alienation and acceptance,

   pain and joy,

   love and indifference,

   fear and courage,

   anxiety and confidence,

   discouragement and hope... 

 

So I pray, Lord:

when I'm holding some - or all these -

in tension in my heart

   fortify my faith,

   deepen my trust,

   affirm my acceptance,

   relieve my pain,

   expand my love,

   build up my courage,

   bolster my confidence

   and fill me with hope...

 

Heal my divided heart, Lord

and bring me the peace 

of being one with you 

and one with those around me...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, my I might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen. 

 

Heal My Heart by John Vinoya

 

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Pause for Prayer: FRIDAY 9/12

For several days now, Lord,
    the temp's been in the 70's,
        the air's been fresh and clean
- not at all damp and heavy -
    but rather, and eminently so,
        very deeply breathable...  

 

Of course I know you've yet in store
some warm and humid days:
    sweet, moist souvenirs of summer
        as she slowly takes her leave...

 

And there's a kindness here
in how you change the seasons:

    teasing us and mixing what has been 

        with what's to come;

     the passion of the summer
        flavored with a taste of fall, 

    preparing us for autumn

        and what the winter's sure to bring...

Be as gentle, then, with me, Lord,
    as my life's seasons change;
keep fresh my summery memories
    as autumn's days grow shorter
        and my leaves begin to turn...

In the summer and the fall

    and in the winter and the spring,
be the Lord of all my seasons,

    the God of all my days... 

Amen. 

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My experience of a minute of silence

In mid-August I posted about the practice in Ukraine  where everyone stops in their tracks at 9:00 a.m. - daily - to remember those who have died in the war.

I mentioned that when it's 9:00 a.m. in Ukraine it's the middle of the night where I live but that I'd set a daily alarm on my phone to stop and pray for the people of Ukraine.

I chose 3:00 p.m. and I want to share my experience with you.  First, the alarm reminds me daily of something I'd easily, otherwise, totally forget.  Second, the alarm always takes me by surprise - I'm not waiting for it or expecting it.  The result is that I'm confronted on a daily basis with a comparison between whatever I'm doing - and thinking about my brothers and sisters in Ukraine and what they're experiencing.

I end up being grateful for the freedom in which I live and prayerfully mindful of others who live with the constant threat of being attacked.

It's any easy thing to do - and no one needs to know what you're doing, even if they're sitting right beside you when your phone rings.

Give it a try... 

 

Set an alarm on your phone...

 

Spend one minute a day in prayerful silence for our sisters and brothers in Ukraine...

 

 

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 9/11

Two options for prayer this evening... First, a prayer for first responders.  While 9/11 is a sad and tragic memory for most of us, first responders live in anticipation of such danger as part of their daily lives...  Second, a prayer for peace in our world and in our hearts...

 

A Prayer for First Responders

 

Twenty-four years ago today, Lord, 

    in New York City, Washington, DC 

       and Shanksville, PA, 

first responders rushed into harm's way,     

    putting their lives on the line

        to save the lives of strangers...

And first responders stand bravely tonight

    in the face of enemies, accidents and fire,

        earthquakes, floods and hurricanes, 

putting their lives on the line 

    for sisters and brothers 

        threatened by war and natural disaster 

    by the loss of their homes and belongings,

        indeed, the loss of their lives...

 

Among all who perished on 9/11,
    we remember these brave and selfless souls 

        in our moments of silence,  

        in our tributes and song, 

        in our prayer together this night...

 

Hear our prayer for the women and men 

    who willingly lay down their lives,

even as you have taught us, Lord:

    no love greater than this is known

        than to lay down one's life for a friend...

 

Watch over those, Lord, who, night and day,  

    spend their lives protecting ours: 

be their courage, their shield and strength

    and hold them close within your arms

        in your loving, strong embrace...

Protect us all while we're awake
    and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with Christ
    and asleep, rest in his peace...

Amen. 

There Is No Greater Love

    by Michael Joncas 

 

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There is no greater love, says the Lord,

there is no greater love, says the Lord,

there is no greater love, no greater love

than to lay down your life for a friend

 

As the Father has loved me,
so I have loved you.
Live on in my love.
You will live in my love
if you keep my commands,
even as I have kept my Father's.

All this I tell you that my joy may be yours
and your joy may be complete.
Love one another as I have loved you:
This is my command.

You are my friends
if you keep my commands,
no longer slaves but friends to me.
All I heard from my Father,
I have made known to you:
Now I call you friends.

It was not you who chose me,
it was I who chose you,
chose you to go forth and bear fruit
Your fruit must endure, so you will receive
all you ask the Father in my name.

   

 

A Prayer for Peace in the World 

   and in Our Hearts...

 

We pray for peace in the world, Lord,

    the world you created, the world you gave us,

        the world entrusted to our care...

We pray for an end to the scourge of war,
    terrorism, violence and bloodshed

        and to all the ways we fail to love our neighbor...

 

We pray for those who have died in war,

    especially those who died in their youth
        and for all those who grieve their loss... 

 

We pray for the safety of those in harm's way,
    far from home, their families and friends

        and we pray for their safe return...

We pray for all the innocent poor

    who suffer most keenly the hardship of war:

        the victims of battles that others wage...

 

We pray, too, for our enemies, Lord:

    turn their hearts and ours to thoughts of peace

        and freedom for all your people...

       
We pray for peace at our borders, Lord,
    and at borders around the world:

        tear down the walls we build in our hearts...

We pray for peace among all your people:

     we're brothers and sisters all,

        no matter our race, our color or creed...

      
We pray for peace in our cities, Lord,

    for an end to violence ruling our streets,

        the pandemic of deadly arms...

We pray for peace in our nation, Lord,

    and for truth and wisdom to guide the way

        in our politics, left and right...

     
We pray for peace in our broken Church,

    for the healing of those who've been abused,

        for your Spirit to cleanse and mend us all...

We pray for a peaceful coming together

     of all who profess their faith and belief

        in your power, divine and holy...

We pray for peace in our daily lives

    with those whom we make our enemies,

        with those who make us their foes...

We pray, Lord, for peace in those hidden places,

    where we're often at war with ourselves,

        in our minds, our thoughts and our hearts...

We pray for peace, for healing and wholeness
    for all who live with depression,

        with anxiety, worry and fear...

We pray for peace in those places, Lord,
    where only you can understand

        how deep is our need for your presence...

We pray for that peace we can't make ourselves,
    the peace, Lord, that comes from you alone,

        the peace of your mercy and grace...

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...

 

Two options for music after this prayer: first, a four minute recording of the wind-powered bells in the memorial tower at Shanksville; and second, Philip Young's setting of Jesus' words, "Peace I leave with you..."

    

The  Bell Tower at Shanksville 

 

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Peace I Leave With You 

    by Philip M. Young

 

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Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give to you. 

 

Let not your heart be troubled,

neither let it be afraid. 

 

Peace I leave with you,

my peace I give to you. 

    

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Pause for Prayer: THURSDAY 9/11

All good gifts come from your hand, Lord,
    and into our clumsy grasp

    you entrust the precious realities

    of creation, life, justice and peace...

We remember this day
    how fragile are your gifts
    and how vulnerable are we
    in each other’s hands...

We remember those who died
    and those who mourn their loss...

We remember those whose courage
    gave us new standards for bravery...

We remember those who gave their lives
    in their selfless efforts to save others...

We remember that day, that sunny morning
    when the borders of our nation
        were broken through 

    and the depths of our hearts

        were pierced... 

 

And we remember all we've learned

    and how little we've learned 

and how much we've yet to learn

    since that morning, 24 years ago today...

   
We remember, Lord, and we pray
    for the healing and peace only you can give,

the healing and peace

    you call us to share...

 
Bring us to a day, O God,
    when war is but a memory,

    when peace will be our victory

    when we will harvest justice    

        and all will live as one...

Amen.

 

Rev. Carl P. Daw, Jr. wrote this hymn (Hope Publishing) to commemorate the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon, September 11, 2001.

 

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When Sudden Terror Tears Apart 

    by Carl Daw

 

 

When sudden terror tears apart
the world we thought was ours,
we find how fragile strength can be,
how limited our powers.

As tower and fortress fall, we watch
with disbelieving stare
and numbly hear the anguished cries 
that pierce the ash-filled air.

Yet most of all we are aware
of emptiness and void:
of lives cut short, of structures razed,
of confidence destroyed.

From this abyss of doubt and fear
we grope for words to pray,
and hear our stammering tongues embrace
a timeless Kyrie.

Have mercy, Lord, give strength and peace,
and make our courage great;
restrain our urge to seek revenge,
to turn our hurt to hate.

Help us to know your steadfast love, 
your presence near as breath;
rekindle in our hearts the hope
of life that conquers death.

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For Charlie Kirk

Let's pray for Charlie Kirk and his wife, his children and his extended family...

And let's pray, again, for an end to the violence in our culture and in our world - and for an end to the pandemic of arms.

 

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 9/10

When I'm lost in a sea of worries, Lord, 

help me trust that you're always right there,

smack dab in the middle of all my problems,

waiting to rescue and save me...

 

When I'm really frightened and scared, Lord,

don't let me forget that you're always right there, 

smack dab in the middle of my fears,

offering courage, grace and strength...

 

When I'm puzzled, Lord, perplexed and confused,

help me know that you're always right there,

smack dab in the middle of all my thoughts.

with your wisdom, your light and your truth...

When I'm drowning in sorrow and tears, Lord,

let me know that you're always right there

smack dab in the midst of my grief

with your healing touch on my heart...

 

When I'm all by myself, feeling friendless, Lord,

help me trust that you're always right there,

smack dab - right by my side -

with your presence and peace to embrace me...

When I'm weary and feeling hopeless, Lord,

don't let me forget that you're always there,

smack dab in the depths of my soul,

with your presence to lift my spirits to joy... 

 

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.

 

I did find a "smack dab" hymn - but I decided that "Jesus At The Center" better captured the spirit of tonight's prayer!

 

Jesus At The Center 

by Ranney, Massey and Houghton,

   performed by Lauren Talley

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Jesus at the center of it all 

Jesus at the center of it all 

From beginning to the end 

It will always be, it's always been you, 

Jesus, Jesus

 

Nothing else matters 

Nothing in this world will do 

Jesus, you're the center 

And everything revolves around you 

Jesus, you, at the center of it all

The center of it all

 

Jesus be the center of my life 

Jesus be the center of my life 

From beginning to the end 

It will always be, it's always been you, 

Jesus, Jesus 

 

Nothing else matters 

Nothing in this world will do 

Jesus, you're the center 

And everything revolves around you 

Jesus, you 

 

From my heart to the heavens,

Jesus be the center

It's all about you, yes, it's all about you 

Jesus, be the center of your church

Jesus, be the center of your church

Every knee will bow

And every tongue shall confess you

Jesus, Jesus

 

Nothing else matters 

Nothing in this world will do 

Jesus you're the center 

And everything revolves around you 

Jesus, you 

At the center of it all

The center of it all

 

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