Image: George Mendoza
Good morning, good God!
Feeling something of a backache this morning, Lord...
Well, maybe more a heartache than a backache -
but it's heartache brought on by a backpack
burdening my heart...
Some days that pack can be pretty heavy, Lord:
it holds my hurts and helplessness,
stores my grudges and discouragement,
straps on old anger and anxiety…
And my heart's pack has side pockets, Lord,
for keeping fears and tears close at hand,
easy to reach and rely on
when yesterday's pain seems easier
than today's demands
and tomorrow's promise...
My heart is bent over, Lord,
from the burden of my baggage
and this morning I want to offer you
this pack of my problems,
the weight of my worries,
this sack of sadness...
Help me let this pack slip with healing grace
from my heart's hunched shoulders…
Give me the courage to let go of it
for today, for an hour, for even a few minutes...
Let me know the lightness
of a heart unfettered by fears,
a mind delivered from doubt,
a soul surrendered and serene...
Give me the courage, Lord, to open my pack,
to offer and place in your hands
what I no longer need to carry,
what weighs me down,
what tires my soul,
what keeps me from joy...
I offer you my fears for you to calm them,
my worries for you to ease them,
my pain for you to heal it,
my sins for you to forgive me,
my hopelessness for you to refresh me:
help me believe, Lord,
in the light and peaceful heart
you desire and offer me in your love...
Lord, give me the grace
to let that backpack slip from my soul's shoulders
for today, for an hour, for a moment,
that I might stand and stretch and bask in the peace
of a heart lightened of its load...
And along my path this day, Lord,
help me to lighten the hearts of others,
trusting that in sharing each other's troubles
our burdens are halved, not doubled...
In your holy and sacred heart, O Lord,
I place my heart
and pray for your healing
and for hope...
Amen.
Monday Morning Offerings Archive
-ConcordPastor
AMEN!!! I hope you are feeling better physically, that never helps the emotional side!
ReplyDeleteYou know, your Monday Morning offerings always seem to say exactly what I need to hear.
ReplyDeleteI am sitting here with tears pouring down my face. I have already paused twice just to be able to type this.
A long time ago, I used to deal with very trying times by actually saying to myself 'Things are horrible but RIGHT NOW, at this very second, at this very moment, I am okay" It was a trick I had read in a self help book somewhere.
I long ago forgot I did that. I read this today and I am not sure what has brought me to such tears. That you reminded me to just ask for those moments back. or that there ARE moments and I havent seen them because I havent noticed them.
I am not sure what has me so broken right now. Perhaps because this Monday offering showed me that there was relief, even just a moment's worth, this whole time. I just needed to ask.
I guess tears on a monday morning can be a good thing??
Thank you, once again for such beautiful words on a Monday. I hope whatever burdens you today is lifted as well. I'll be praying for you.
Indeed, Mary, tears on a Monday morning can be a very good thing...
ReplyDeleteThis prayer comes at a time when I am trying to help a good friend cope with losing 3 members of her family to cancer in less than 2 years. She just found out recently her brother has been given a terminal diagnosis. My friend is a woman of faith but I am hearing doubts coming from her as she goes through these tragedies. I listen and try my best to assure her of God's presence through all this but I admit most of the time I'm at a loss for words and wish i could do better. I think i will send her this prayer. She may not be able to lighten her backpack but maybe she can surrender to God and feel his presence.
ReplyDeleteAnne: I trust that readers here will include your friend and her brother and family -and you- in their prayers...
ReplyDelete...I'm lost- again- on this Monday... afternoon. I remembered your Monday Morning Offering and "thought I'd give it a try"... I'm glad I did. Can I "borrow" your words, this beautiful prayer, as I talk with God today?
ReplyDeleteAnne- I will keep your friend and her brother and family in my prayers...
Michelle: Of course... that's why I post them...
ReplyDeleteThanks for the prayers.
ReplyDelete