NIGHT PRAYER: Wednesday 4/22

 

We might pause after each of these tropes and name the individuals and situations in our own lives to whom the prayer applies...

 

Tonight, Lord, I lift up to you

    all the people so busy

    they don't know just what to do next...

And I lift up to you

    any folks so bored

    that they think they’re gonna go crazy…

 

I lift up to you

    all the folks so long hurting

    that they doubt they'll ever find peace...

I lift up to you

    all the unemployed people

    who wait for a job to support them…

I lift up to you

    all the suffering and sick

    who cry for an end to their pain and distress…

I lift up to you 
    all the people in prison
    who long to be free, to finally go home...

I lift up to you

    all the folks in deep sadness

    who yearn for their grief to be healed...

I lift up to you

    the depressed and despairing

    who hunger for promise and hope…

I lift up to you
    the confused and confounded
    who long for your wisdom and truth...

I lift up to you

    the abused and mistreated

    who wait for their nightmare to end… 

 

I lift up to you

    those who stand in harm's way

    for the sake of our freedom and peace...

I lift up to you

    all those searching for faith,

    who thirst for belief and conviction…

 

I lift up to you

    all those falsely accused:

    may they find the justice they seek... 

I lift up to you

    the poor and the hungry

    who wait for a place at our tables...

I lift up to you

    the forgotten and lonely

    who long for companions and friends...

I lift up to you

    the hooked and addicted

    who work their recovery a day at a time…

    

I lift up to you

    all the folks who are lost

    and who fear they may never be found...

I lift up to you 

    those who need my assistance,

    who patiently wait for my help...

 

I lift up to you

    all who've suffered my faults:

    please heal the hurt I have caused...

 

I lift up this world

    torn by conflict and war:

    give us peace that's strong and enduring...

I lift up to you, Lord,

    myself and my needs

    and ask that you answer my prayer...

 

I lift up to you 

    all my nights and my days:

    be with me when I need you most...

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.


God of All My Days
    by Mark Hall and Jason Ingram

 

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I came to You with my heart in pieces
And found the God with healing in His hands
I turned to You, put everything behind me
And found the God who makes all things new
I looked to You drowning in my questions
And found the God who holds all wisdom
And I trusted You and stepped out on the ocean
You caught my hand among the waves
‘Cause You’re the God of all my days

Each step I take You make a way
And I will give You all my praise
My seasons change, You stay the same
You’re the God of all my days

I ran from You, I wandered in the shadows
And found a God who relentlessly pursues
I hid from You, haunted by my failure
And found the God whose grace still covers me
I fell on You when I was at my weakest
And found the God, the lifter of my head
And I’ve worshiped You and felt You right beside me
You’re the reason that I sing
‘Cause You’re the God of all my days

In my worry, God, You are my stillness
In my searching, God, You are my answers
In my blindness, God, You are my vision
In my bondage, God, You are my freedom
In my weakness, God, You are my power
You’re the reason that I sing
‘Cause You’re the God of all my days

In my blindness, God, You are my vision
In my bondage, God, You are my freedom
All my days

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Pause for Prayer: WEDNESDAY 4/22

At one time or another in our lives, we hold on to a grudge, a resentment, some anger, disappointment, some hurt, a little jealousy, a bruised ego... 

Sometimes we befriend what we cling to, even if it sours us and spoils our spirits, our relationships and perspective...

Letting go what we cling to can be very difficult but it's often just the healing we need...

The Lord is always there to help us let go of what sours us and to open up our hearts and let the healing in...

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NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 4/21

Lord, let your love come upon me, 

    let your love
        envelop me
        cover me
        overshadow me

        guide me
        fill me

        comfort me
        overwhelm me
        engulf me

        complete me
        anoint me

        quiet me

        caress me

        support me

        heal me
        flood me

        lead me 

        still me

        hold me

        strengthen me

        melt me

        lift me

        challenge me
        inebriate me
        infuse me

        mold me,
        bathe me
        surround me

        seduce me

        grip me

        calm me
        engage me
        embrace me
        feed me
        touch me...

 

Let your love come upon me
    from above and below
    from my left and my right
    from behind and before me

    from every direction

    from inside and out,
Lord, let your love come upon me... 

 

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.

Cover Me, Lord  by Andrew Culverwell

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Cover me Lord
    with your presence
Cover me Lord
    with your righteousness
Cover me Lord
    with your Holiness
Lord Jesus
    cover me

 

I need your protection from danger and harm

    shelter me safe in your strong loving arms

    help me to see there's no cause for alarm,

Lord Jesus, cover me

 

Under your shadow I won't be afraid;

    cover me, Lord, 'til the storm goes away

    then, in the heat of a beautiful day,

Lord Jesus, cover me

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Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 4/21

 

Lord,

    of all the things I might do today,

    of all the things I hope to do today, 

    of all the things I could do today,

    of all the things I intend to do today, 

    of all the things I need to do today,

    of all the things I'm expected to do today 

    of all the things I plan to do today,

    of all the things I can do today,

    of all the things I should do today, 

    of all the things I'm scheduled to do today, 

    of all the things I want to do today,

    of all the things I'd like to avoid doing today, 

        of all these things, what's the one thing, Lord 

                you ask of me - today?

Help me know what that is, Lord, 

and then

    give me the grace, 

    give me the courage, 

    give me the wisdom, 

    give me the strength, 

    give me the will, the smarts and the heart , 

    give me the energy, get-up-and-go, 

    give me the nudge, the push and the shove       

        to do, with a willing and cheerful heart, 

        what you ask of me - today...

Amen.

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NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 4/20

Just yesterday, Lord, 

we heard the story of two disciples 

making their way to Emmaus

on the afternoon on the very day

you rose up in glory from your tomb...

 

Just yesterday, Lord, I preached that story, 

its meaning for us and its implications

for how we're to live from day to day

as we make our way from here to Emmaus,

from wherever we are to wherever we're bound...

 

How many times today, Lord,

did I meet you on my road?

 

How many times today, Lord,

did you quietly join me on my way

beginning this morning this afternoon

and here right now, as I bow my head 

in grateful prayer as this day ends?

 

How many times did you ask me today:

What's on your mind, what's in your heart? 

And did I hear you?

Did  I hear your question, your interest, your care,

your desire to share in my story

and make my story one with yours? 

 

How many times today, Lord,

did you break the bread of your presence,

y0ur word, your wisdom and truth 

to feed my soul with your light and life?

 

How many times today, Lord,

did my heart burn within me,

aching for your company,

your grace and your mercy,

your presence at my side

as I made my way from dawn to dusk

on the road of this day's work and worry,

blessings and joys, toil and troubles,

gift and graces, ups and downs,

problems and peace

until now

when I'm ready to lay down in peace

with the hope you'll be with me

all through the night?

 

I can't count the times, Lord,

but this I know:

there wasn't a moment in all of this day

you left my side

or I slipped your mind

or fell from your loving arms

as I made my way from here to Emmaus,

from where I began

to where I am bound... 

 

Stay with me, Lord Jesus,

stay by my side, 

I pray... 

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. 

 

Stay With Me Lord by Ferdinand M. Bautista 

 

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Stay with me, Lord, that I never forget You
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light

O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile
Stay with me, my Jesus, in the breaking of the bread
The Light which disperses all darkness
The force that sustains me, 

the unique Joy of my heart

Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will
Stay with me, Lord, that I may hear Your voice and follow you
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You
Stay with me, Lord, if you wish mе to be faithful to You

O how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exilе
Stay with me, my Jesus, in the breaking of the bread
The Light which disperses all darkness
The force that sustains me, 

the unique Joy of my heart  

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Monday Morning Offering: 4/20

         Image by George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

A new week stretches ahead of me, Lord,

    and I pray you'll walk with me day by day...

Be with me 

    right from the moment I rise,

        through the night 'til I wake again...

Slow me down, Lord, when I go too fast

    and help me do as well as I can

        all that I need to accomplish...

Give me the wisdom, Lord, to lay aside

    the things I don't need,

    the cares I needn't carry,

    the burdens I needn't bear...

Lighten the burdens that are, indeed, mine

    and open me up to accept any help 

        that others may generously offer...

In the midst of worries this week may bring:

    calm my fears,

        lift my spirits,

            and give me time for rest...

Keep me from yesterday's worries

    and fear of what's yet to come;

keep me mindful

    of the moment that's now at hand...

Open my eyes to my neighbor's burdens

    and give me the grace and courage I need
to offer my hand, my arm and my shoulder;

    my heart, my support and my comfort;

        my smile, my time and my story,

            my compassion and understanding...

 

Show me your face this week, O Lord:

    open my ears to your voice,

    my eyes to awesome beauty,

    my heart to your flowing mercy,

    my mind to your wisdom and counsel,

    my weary limbs to your power and strength,

    my mouth to give you glory and praise...

A new week stretches before me, Lord,

    a week I offer to you and pray

        you help me live it a day at a time,

            in your good time,

                in peace...

Accept my prayer this morning, Lord,

    and all through the week ahead...

Amen.

 

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Homily for April 19

 

Below you'll find the audio of my homily for this weekend, based on the gospel story of Jesus surprising two of his friends by appearing to them on Easter afternoon, as they're making their way home from Jerusalem back to Emmaus.  Below the widget you'll find the text of my homily. (If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!) Finally, following the text of my homily, you'll find a prayer attributed to Saint Patrick which pairs well with today's gospel and which I offered the assembly for reflection after Communion.

 

 

Jesus drew near to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus but their eyes were PREVENTED from recognizing him…

 

But the scripture doesn’t tell us exactly what prevented these two disciples from recognizing the Risen Jesus at their side. Was it something about him?   Or was it something in them?

 

Certainly their minds and hearts, their thoughts and emotions, were consumed with all that happened in the last few days, all that had been reported to them: the arrest of Jesus by the Roman guards, his appearance before Pontius Pilate, the governor, the suffering he endured, his death on a Cross and his burial and then the amazing report from the women who had visited the tomb that morning - that Jesus had risen from the dead!

 

And now, the risen Jesus is walking with these two disciples - but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.

 

Were they so preoccupied, so overwhelmed by grief and confusion that they didn’t recognize their old friend?

 

Did God - of his own design and purpose - choose to let them walk in the mystery, in the darkness - just a little longer?

 

Or was it simply that they never expected to see Jesus again - even though they’d heard the report that he had risen?

 

Here’s a fun fact: you and I have heard that same report. Haven’t we? The report that Jesus who was crucified and buried - rose from the dead. We’ve been told exactly what these two disciples on the road to Emmaus had been told - and yet we, too, often fail to recognize him even when he’s walking right by our side.

 

What prevents you and me from seeing Jesus? What prevents OUR eyes from recognizing him?

 

Certainly there are times when my problems and my worries and fears consume so that I might miss Jesus at my side -even as I pray for him to be there!

 

Or perhaps it’s anger or hurt or disappointment that blur my vision or even blind me such that I fail to recognize Jesus as he draws close to me with peace and healing and hope.

Or it could be that I just don’t pay much attention to the Lord, that I don’t look for him every day in prayer, that I don’t try to keep my heart - and eyes and ears open for his presence? open to him walking at my side?

 

There are so many things in my life that might prevent my eyes from recognizing Jesus, things like:

 

• my prejudices - the ones I don’t admit to others, and especially, the ones I find difficult to admit to myself;

 

• or my stubbornness might prevent me from listening to Jesus: my resistance to looking at things in a new way; my refusal to change my mind  – in spite of what I see, what I hear, in spite of what’s reported to me by reliable witnesses;

 

• or my politics might prevent me from seeing Jesus insofar as that stance trains my vision to see some things - but not others;

       

• or perhaps it might be my unwillingness to even desire to face the reality of Jesus in my life AND the change of heart it would take for me to see him in people I don’t like or don’t love; and welcome him – even at the expense to my own comfort.

 

• or I might blind myself to Jesus at my side because to acknowledge his presence, would require me to change my thoughts and my ways - so significantly - that others may think me impractical, foolish or crazy, on account of what I claim to see, to believe and hold as truth.

 

• To truly recognize Jesus at my side and choose to walk with him will change and shape my politics and my preferences, the decisions and choices I make, the stands I take, and whom I recognize and name as brother, sister, family and neighbor - and how I welcome them into my life and share with them what I have. 

 

There are so many things, so many situations, so many reasons that prevent our eyes from recognizing, from seeing Jesus - right at our side. But the truth is: the Risen Christ never leaves my side - or yours. There’s not a step we take that the Lord doesn’t walk that step with us.

There’s not a moment of any day or night when he’s not right beside us -  behind us -  and just ahead of us.

But still, we fail to see him.

 

The risen Jesus asked the disciples on the road to Emmaus: “What are you discussing? What’s on your mind? What’s in your heart this morning?”

           
He asks us the same question. He wants to know our story - and often enough our story, like that of the two disciples - is a story of faith, disappointment, confusion and hope.

Jesus wants to be part of our story - on our good days and bad days, through all our ups and downs, in all our joys and sorrows.

• Is there anything this morning in my story, in your story, that prevents our eyes from recognizing Jesus - walking by our side?

 

• How long has it been since I’ve prayed? since I’ve told the Lord my story - and asked him to be part of it? How long has it been since I’ve asked the Lord, as did the two disciples in the story, how long has it been since I’ve asked Jesus,  “Please don’t leave -  stay with me - and be the Lord of my life!”

 

It’s only when the two disciples break bread with Jesus that their eyes are opened and they recognize Jesus.

 

Well – guess what! We’re here this morning to do just that! We are here to share in the breaking of bread as Jesus told us to do at his last supper on the night before he died.

 

Being here on the Lord’s Day is like walking the road to Emmaus. Even if, in the past week, our eyes have been prevented our hearts have failed to recognize Jesus by our side here at the Lord’s Table, at the end of one week and the beginning of another, the Lord draws near and reveals and shares himself with us in the breaking of the Bread.

 

Every time we celebrate the Eucharist we break and share the Bread of Life
and in receiving Communion we’re invited to recognize Jesus who gives himself to us this morning, as once he did on the Cross, so now in the sacrifice and sacrament of this altar.

 

He gives himself to us in this way – precisely – to open the eyes of our hearts to the wisdom and challenge of his word, that his truth might change our lives that we might begin to break ourselves open, like loaves of bread, to welcome and feed our neighbor, our brothers and sisters in Christ: whomever we might meet and wherever we might meet them on the road to Emmaus.

 

While preparing this homily I thought of a prayer attributed to St. Patrick. It’s sometimes called the LORICA, which means armor, and more specifically a hard-shelled casing protecting the chest - in contemporary terms - a kind of spiritual, bullet-proof vest.

 

I share this prayer hoping that its wisdom will open our eyes and help us recognize Jesus – walking by our side…

 

Prayer after Communion 

(from the Lorica of Saint Patrick) 

 

I arise today,

   through God’s strength to pilot me:

   God’s eye to look before me,

   God’s wisdom to guide me,

   God’s way to lie before me,

   God’s shield to protect  me,

      from all who shall wish me ill

         afar and anear, alone and in a multitude,

   God’s shield to protect me ,

      against every cruel merciless power,

         that may oppose my body and soul.

 

Christ with me,

Christ before me,

Christ behind me,

Christ in me

Christ beneath me,

Christ above me

Christ on my right,

Christ on my left

Christ when I lie down,

Christ when I sit down

Christ when I arise,

Christ to shield me,

  

Christ in the heart

   of everyone who thinks of me

Christ in the mouth

   of everyone who speaks of me.

 

Amen.

 

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