Monday Morning Offering - 199

Image: George Mendoza

Good morning, good God!

Just want to say thanks this morning, Lord,

for your always being there,

every time I come to pray...

I believe you listen when I pray, Lord:

that your heart hears my heart

even when my heart is silent...

I believe you love the prayer of my "showing up,"

the prayer of every time my heart,

my imagination and attention turn, if only for seconds,

to you, always by my side...

Especially at these times, Lord,

I'm grateful for the ways you catch my glance,

my momentary nod in your direction,

my heart's secret wink to let you know

you're on my mind, I'm glad you're near,

I want you by my side...

It's not the hour, nor the schedule, 

nor my need, much less my idea,

but your Spirit, Lord, who draws me to pray.

Every prayer of mine is at the Spirit's prompting,

stirring, moving, urging me to pray.

There's not a moment of any day or night

when your Spirit isn't nudging me to make some time

and to find a quiet place, to sit with you in prayer... 

Just want to say thanks this morning, Lord,

for your always being there,

every time I come to pray...

I'm grateful, Lord, for how you never tire

of hearing my tales of woe, of wiping away my tears,

of listening again and again

even when I cannot find the words to bring to speech

what I truly want to say and really need to pray... 

I know there's not a thought I have

that comes as news to you.

I know there's not a word I pray

you didn't expect to hear.

I know you hear my wordless prayer

when I can't make a sound.

And yet you never turn away from me

in boredom or frustration, but rather you bend,

always closer, to hear my every plea...

There are, of course, plenty of times when I wish

you'd sit a little closer, speak a little louder,

put your arm 'round my shoulder just a little tighter

but

I believe in your presence, I trust that you're there,

that you hear every word I say

and the words that echo in my heart

but fail to make it to my lips...

And sometimes, Lord, my prayer is stumbling, awkward, 

distracted, selfish, rote, unmindful and disjointed!

Help me, in my prayer, to be simple in what I say;

keep my mind and heart attuned, focused on you;

even as I bring you my own needs, 

remind me to bring the needs of others, too;

help me say the prayers I know by heart 

with attention  to each word and phrase; 

keep me mindful of your presence, Lord, 

and let your Spirit make peaceful 

the time I spend with you...

And when my prayer's not nice and neat,

receive and accept the jumbled mess it is and know, Lord,

it comes from one who wants to be at peace with you...

Just want to say thanks this morning, Lord,

for your always being there,

every time I come to pray...

Keep me faithful to your Spirit, always calling me to prayer;

help me never be afraid to share with you

whatever's on my mind and in my heart;

help me understand how you answer my prayer:

especially when the answer's no, or slow in coming

of when your response is silence, at least for now...

Keep me mindful of others in my prayer, Lord,

and when they pray for me, hear and answer them

with grace and peace...

Just want to say thanks, Lord,

for your always being there,

every time I come to pray:

this morning, this day and through the week ahead...

(Click here for an archive of Monday Morning Offerings)

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