NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 9/29

We do not live for ourselves, 

    we do not die for ourselves.  

If we live, we live for the Lord, 

    and if we die, we die for the Lord.  

So living or dying, we belong to the Lord.

Romans 14:8-9 

 

Is that true, Lord? 

 

Do I belong to you? 

 

Am I yours - dead or alive?

 

Perhaps a better question, Lord, would be:

    to whom do I belong?

    to what do I belong? 

 

To whom do I owe my allegiance?

    To whom am I loyal?

To whom do I surrender 

        this person I call me?

Who truly knows me

    and therefore truly owns me?

Who's the boss of me? 

    Who has me?

Who holds and keeps me?

Whose spirit lives within me? 

Whose hand maps my journey?  

In whose embrace

    do I live and breathe - and die?

Whose love heals me, makes me whole

    and holds me together?

 

Do I belong to you, Lord?

    Or to someone else?

    To something else?

Or do I think, do I pretend

    that in fact, I own myself? 

 

I need to think about this, Lord!

I see how my answer here says so much

    about me and how I understand myself,

    about me and how I live with others,

    about me and how I spend my time,

    about me and how I love

        and whom I love,

    about me 

        and how I live and breathe and die...

 

I've got a fairly good idea,

    of what the answer to this question is,

        or should be, or could be, or can be...

 

Do I belong to you, Lord?

Oh yes, indeed, without a doubt - I do...

 

So then, help me, Lord:

    help me live as though I'm yours...

    help me live as though 

        you hold and keep me...

    help me live as though 

        there's no one else and nothing else

with any greater hold on me 

    - than you -

on my heart, my mind, my soul, my life...

 

Open, heal and free me, Lord,

    until I fall into your arms

as one who now belongs to you

    and always and always will... 

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 Belong To You by Hillsong 

 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 9/29

 

My most important task in this life, Lord

   is to know you and to love you

and apart from that

  -  nothing else is important -

except insofar as someone or something 

   might help me grow

        in my knowledge and love of you...

As quick as I am to say I love you

   (and it's likely I say this

      too often, too quickly)

I'm not so quick to say I know you

    - but how can I love you 

          if I don't know you?

And could I ever know you

    - and not come to love you? 

I want to know you better, Lord!

I want to know you

     - better than I know myself -

better than anyone or anything 

    that keeps me from knowing 

        - and loving you...

Then teach me to know you, Lord:

   to know you 

        and all of your loving ways,

   to know you 

        and find the depth of your truth,

   to know you, Lord, above all else

        that I might come to love you...

 

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. 

 

Knowing You by GUC

    performed by Thinathea 

 

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Lord I wanna know you
Better than I know myself
Teach me Lord, to know your ways
To know your truth...

Lord I wanna know you
Better than I know me
Teach me Lord, to know your ways
To know your truth...

Lord I wanna know you
Better than I know my weakness

Teach me Lord, to know your ways
To know your truth...

Lord I wanna know you
Better than I know myself
Teach me Lord, to know your ways
To know your truth...

Lord I wanna know you
Better than I know my weakness

Teach me Lord, to know your ways
To know your truth...

Rid me of the pride of this world
So that I can see you clearly
Teach me Lord,
To know your ways

Strip me of the pride of this world
So that I can see you clearly
Teach me Lord,
To know your ways

Strip me, strip me of this pride
So that I can see you clearly
Teach me Lord
To know your ways...

Keep on calling
Calling, I will answer
Keep on drawing
Drawing, I will come... (3 x)


Lord I truly wanna know you
Better than I know me
Teach me Lord, to know your ways
To know your truthLord I wanna know you
Better than I know my weakness
Teach me Lord, to know your ways
To know your Truth

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Pause for Prayer: TUESDAY 9/29

Today is the feast of the Archangels: Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.  I'm pleased to share the illustration above which comes from a Ukranian prayer book...

I could use a few angels, Lord!

Archangels, angels, seraphim and cherubim,

    angels to guard and guide me, Lord!

I need an angel Lord:

   a spiritual servant, a messenger from you,

        bringing news of your word and your presence...

I need an angel, Lord:

    to watch and keep vigil both night and day,

    to guide me safely along the right path,

    to guard and protect me wherever I go...

 

Send me your angel, Lord:

   an angel of courage for when I'm afraid,

   an angel of wisdom for when I'm confused,

   an angel of strength for when I'm weak...

   an angel of healing for when I'm not well...

   an angel of comfort for times when I'm troubled...

   a consoling angel for when I'm grieving...

   an angel-friend for when I'm alone... 

 

Send me a flight of angels, Lord,
   with gifts of right judgment to guide my discernment,     

    with arms of strength to lift me in prayer

    with wisdom and light to lead me to truth...

Send me an angel 

    with a spirit of reverence to humble my pride,
    with kindness disposing my heart to service,
    with prudence shaping my words and my deeds...

Send me an angel, Lord,

    with peace to heal my anger and pride,
    with courage to bring an end to my wars,

    with compassion to mend my broken heart... 

  
Send an army of angels, Lord, 

    to keep me honest, just and fair,
    to keep me faithful whenever I'm tempted,
    to keep me pure when I'd settle for less...

 

Open my heart to your angel Lord:

    the angel you send to visit each day,

    the angel you station along my path,

    the angel whose comfort is grace and gift...
 

And open my heart to your local angels:

    my family and friends, colleagues, neighbors

            - and strangers, too -
    who lift my spirits and fill me with peace,

        who serve me as angels, sent with your love...

I welcome each angel you send me, Lord,
    who sustains my hopes, my dreams and my plans,
    who prompts me to praise your most holy name

    and who nudges me closer to you and your mercy...

 

Amen.

 

All Night, All Day, 

    African-American spiritual  

         arranged by Ken Berg

 

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All night, all day,

angels watchin’ over me, my Lord.

All night, all day,

angels watchin’ over me.    (repeat)

 

When I lay me down to sleep,

angels watchin’ over me, my Lord.

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

angels watchin’ over me.

 

I pray his blessing on the land that I love

angels watchin’ over me, my Lord

the earth and the sea and the sky up above

angels watchin’ over me. 

 

Every morning when I rise

angels watchin’ over me, my Lord,

I thank my Lord for His gift of life

angels watchin’ over me. 

 

I thank him for my lovin’ family and friends,

angels watchin’ over me, my Lord

I thank him daily for his love without end

angels watchin’ over me.

 

All night, angels watchin’

All day, angels watchin’

All times hear me sing

about the holy angels always watchin’ over me.

 

I’m singin’ about the angels watchin’ over me

still singin’ about the angels watchin’ over me,

my Lord!

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NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 9/28

O Lord, how I wish there were 

a fast-forward button 

on my hopes, my dreams,

    my expectations - on my life! 

  

I know, Lord, that you know:

    what's coming down the road,

    how my future will unfold,

    what changes lie ahead and how

    you'll answer all my prayers.

So if you know, Lord

    - and I know you're never wrong -

then why the wait? 

    what's the delay?

    what keeps you from speeding things up

    or giving me come clues, even a vague hint...

 

And an email or a text would be fine

    - you have contact info!

...   ...   ...   

 

Good!  

I got all that out of my system, Lord,

    and that helps.

And yes, I know...

    you have your reasons and your ways,

    you have your wisdom and your plans,

    you have your own way of doing things;

I know that life unfolds on your schedule, not on mine:

    all in your good time, Lord,  

    all things in your good time...

So tonight, rather than pray for a sneak preview

I'll pray for patience, Lord, 

the patience I need 

    to walk with you

        - at your pace,

    to wait with you

        - with trust and hope

    to watch for how you lead me

        - in your wisdom, with your grace...

 

Patience, Lord.. I pray for patience:

    help me hope and trust in you,

    in your love and in your plan         

    and in all the ways your grace unfolds

     - all in your good time...

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.

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In His Time by Diane Ball

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Monday Morning Offering: 9/28

Image: George Mendoza

I'm 79 years old but I'm betting that folks of any age can make this same prayer! 

 

The line above was the original intro to this post: need further proof of my age? Well, I'm grateful to the faithful reader who just got in touch with me to ask (at 4:30 p.m.!) if there would be a MORNING offering today! So, here's your Monday AFTERNOON Offering!  

 

Good morning, good God!

Been thinking, Lord,

been thinking 'bout what to offer you today

but nothing I came up with seemed just right

- and then it dawned on me - 

maybe I need to offer you the whole enchilada,

the works, the whole kit and caboodle...

 

Maybe I need to offer you - me!

Yes, that's it! 

I need to offer you,

I want to offer you 

- the rest of my life...

 

And if I'm right about this, Lord,

and I think I am... well, I hope I am...

    (maybe I'm afraid I am?)

then I've also got lots of questions to offer, 

 questions like:

    Just how long is the rest of my life?

    How will I spend the rest of my life?

    What are YOUR plans, Lord 

        for the rest of my life? 

    What blessings and joys are in store for me?

    And the losses and sorrows I know will come

        - will I find the faith to endure their pain?

    What challenges wait to test me 

        and prove my trust in your love  for me?

    How will the time ahead prepare me, Lord

        for time beyond all time, the timelessness

            of life with you forever?

All these questions are mine, Lord, 

    because the rest of the life I offer you

is a story spun from your mystery,

    unfolding now in ways beyond my ken...

But now's the time (it's always time!)

    to offer you the life you've offered me:

the life I've known, the love I've lived

    and the rest of my  life - all yours!

 

So there it is, Lord: the full monty, 

    all nine yards and the whole ball of wax;

the rest of my life, offered today,

    into your hands from my heart to you...

Amen.

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NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 9/27

On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Today's scriptures (especially the first reading and the gospel) urge us toward a change of heart and mind as we stand before our God...

Lord, some things in my life need changing
    and I wish these changes would happen overnight
but change comes slowly to me -
    perhaps because I come so slowly to change...

Help me change, Lord,
    help me change… 

Open me
    to the changes I want to make
    the changes I need to make,
    the changes you're calling me to make...

Change me from the inside out!
Reboot my heart
    ‘til it beats in rhythm with yours, Lord,
    ‘til my heart’s in sync
    with your wisdom, word and will... 

Change and stretch me, Lord,
    to become, to be
        the person you created me to be... 

Stretch me, Lord,
    ‘til I’m satisfied with being nothing less
        than the person you created me to be... 

Open my eyes, Lord,
    to see your Spirit at work in my life
helping me to change,
    day by day by day... 

Open my ears to hear your voice
     guiding me through the changes I need to make...

Open my mouth in prayer to ask for your help
    in making the changes I most need to make... 

Open my mind to know and to learn
    how my thoughts and ideas might need to change… 

Open my hands to work for change
    that will serve and help and lift up my neighbor… 

Open me to changes I need to make
    in places I’m now complacent, smug and content… 

Open my heart to your Spirit, Lord,
    changing, shaping and molding me in your image… 

Open me to the ways you’re leading and guiding me
    through changes I don’t want to make
    and changes I’m afraid to make,
    and changes that I need to make:
        the changes, Lord, that you by grace
             are working to make in me... 

So much in my life needs change, Lord, 

  so I pray you’ll
    heal what’s wounded, mend what’s broken,
    sweeten what’s soured, refresh what’s lost,
    and refresh what’s grown weary within me…

Change me, Lord:
    help me serve those in need,
    cheer those in sorrow,
    comfort those who grieve,
    stand with those who stand alone
    and rejoice with those whose hearts are glad…

Change me, Lord, in all the ways
    you and I know I need to change,
especially when I’m slow to change
    or even resist and refuse to change…

You humbled yourself on the Cross, Lord,
    you opened and emptied yourself for me,
    you exchanged your life for mine
     that I might have life forever,

     that I might have life and peace with you…

 

Now change me, Lord, change me, I pray:
    humble, open and empty my heart
    for the sake of all whose paths cross mine,

    for the glory of your name…

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.

Change My Heart by Maranatha Music

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Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 9/27

 

Two ears,

two eyes,
a mouth
and a nose:
in these we’re all alike, Lord,
so very much alike...

So, help me see
behind these features
deeper, into others' souls
whose infinite variety
offers me a glimpse
of all the beauty that is you
in all of them
and in myself:
in every one uniquely
and in all of us
the same...

Amen.
 

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NIGHT PRAYER: Saturday 9/26

Tonight's prayer is prompted by Pope Leo's address (9/25/26) to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).  Here are some excerpts from his speech which I encourage you to read in its entirety.

What does it mean to be human? Every culture is challenged by this question, which lies at the heart of every form of knowledge, every art and every religion…

Before all else, the human person is someone who is conceived and born. Thus, first of all, to be human means to be a child. None of us chose to be so. None of us decided from whom, when or where to be born. This evident truth sheds light on something that is not merely biological but ethical: as children, we are all brothers and sisters. From the outset, our humanity is a gift and a trial, a promise and a responsibility…

Secondly, we are all born naked and in need. We are poor by birth, in need of bread and words, of care and affection — that is, of all that nourishes body and spirit. We know this well, and yet, as we become adults, we risk forgetting it. It is precisely those in need who suffer the greatest consequences of this forgetfulness, whenever their humanity is betrayed or cast aside, exploited or deceived…

Thirdly, to keep alive the memory of our common humanity is to recognize its grandeur — that is, its immense potential — even though it is diminished by many forms of evil and injustice. Those engaged in the fields of education, science and culture are called all the more to care for every person, so that the beauty of our freedom may shine forth. This beauty has a name: justice. Freedom is indeed beautiful when it is oriented toward goodness and truth; it is disfigured when it descends into arbitrariness, violence or the thirst for power. To be human, then, implies a responsibility before history: the human being is one who grows, learns and works with both hands and mind. By that labor, we may cultivate the earth or disfigure it, create works of art or destroy them. At this particular juncture, we must recognize that the most terrible of “human works” is war, for then science itself is placed at the service of an inhumane will to destroy and to kill.

First of all, Lord,

help me to be human...

 

Help me to be a brother, a sister,

to all of my brothers and sisters

and remind me, Lord,

that everyone is sister and brother to me...

 

Let me see, Lord,

that my deepest human needs

are the needs of every human being,

of all my brothers and sisters

wherever they may be

and that their poverty is my poverty

and that my wealth belongs to them...

 

Help me see, Lord, and help me delight 

in the beauty of freedom, 

in the light of justice,

in the graciousness of peace: 

help me know my own personal responsibility

for cultivating beauty in all my thoughts,

in my words and in the work of my hands...

 

Help me to be human, Lord,

for human is what you made me to be... 

 

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. 

 

Pope Leo speaks, of course, in the context of Christian faith.  Tonight's song doesn't reference that faith but yet speaks beautifully of what it means to be - human...  In my posts, I have purposely avoided using AI generated music - but, curiously and ironically, I'm making an exception here...

 

See Me As Human by Non Film Songs

 

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Don’t judge me by the shade I wear, 

Don’t weigh me by my name. 

Don’t draw a border round my life 

From bloodline, rank or faith. 

Stand before me just once 

And look beyond what you assume. 

Before you read my identity— 

Read the way I move through the world. 

See me— See me as human. 

Past every label, Read what lives within. 

Don’t place my worth On prejudice’s scale— 

Let what I do Become my name. 

See me— See me as human. 

Beyond division, Look for equal regard. 

Ask whose burden I helped carry— 

That is where My truth begins. 

When I place food In a hungry hand, 

Why should faith Be questioned first? 

When I lift someone Who has fallen, 

Why should lineage Matter then? 

One word that gives A grieving heart courage 

Can become a kind of prayer. 

And standing beside A shattered soul— 

Even silence can be compassion. 

Conscience never asks me— 

“How much did you acquire?” It asks—  

"Whose pain Became lighter because of you?” 

That is the measure That matters. 

See me— See me as human. 

Past every label, Read what lives within. 

Don’t place my worth On prejudice’s scale— 

Let what I do Become my name. 

If the house is taller, Is the heart taller too? 

If the title shines, Does character shine with it? 

If hands overflow with fortune 

But empathy has disappeared— 

What does that splendour mean? 

 Don’t measure me Only by what I say. 

Measure the trust I refused to betray. 

Measure the darkness In somebody’s life 

Where I chose To become a light. 

Do not carve my name Into stone. 

Let it remain as courage Inside one heart. 

I do not need A crown to remember me— 

If I became relief To someone’s suffering, 

That is enough. 

The voice born in me today 

May echo through a thousand minds tomorrow— 

To see a human being Simply as human— 

That is what Real progress looks like. 

See me— See me as human. 

Past every label, Read what lives within. 

Beyond colour! Beyond division! 

Let what I do Become my name. 

Human! Human! Greater than status. 

Human! Human! Greater than division. 

Compassion! Equal regard! 

Let humanity prevail! 

 Beyond colour… 

Beyond names… 

Beyond prejudice… 

Look once With an open heart— 

I am… Human. 

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