A Concord Pastor Comments: Pause for Prayer: SUNDAY 1/17

MMMMMMMMM

(I've been hearing from many folks who are experiencing the darkness of the pandemic in a variety of ways. I thought of this prayer which I wrote 8 years ago and offer it for all those who are walking through a dark valley these days...)

Even when I walk through a dark valley,

I fear no harm for you are at my side,
your crook and your staff
give me courage...
- Psalm 23

Even when I walk through a dark valley...
Is that right, Lord?
Even in the dark?
Even when I can't see where I am?
When I can't find you?
Even when I'm not sure
   how I ended up in the valley to begin with,
      when I can't figure out how I came to this place?

Even then, Lord, you tell me to fear no harm,
   for you are by my side...

Even when I walk through a dark valley...
Even when I walk through a valley of fear?
When I walk through the fog of confusion?
When my path takes me through the valley of loneliness?

You tell me to have courage even then, Lord,
   for you are by my side...

Even when I walk through a dark valley...
Even when I walk in a sunless valley,
only darkening clouds overhead?
Even when I walk through a valley so dark
   I've lost sight of hope and trust?
Even when I lose my way in the valley,
   stumbling over my problems and troubles?

You tell me to walk in peace even then, Lord,
   for your shepherd's crook will guide and protect me...

Even when I walk through a dark valley...
Even when I'm alone and afraid,
   even when I'm lost and confused,
even when I fear you've left my side,
even then, Lord, you promise that you're with me
   though I cannot see your face or hear your voice
and I'm no longer sure that your hand's holding mine...

You tell me to walk as though in the light even then, Lord,
   for you have walked, yourself, this lonesome valley,
this place of darkness and of fear,
   this place where light is hard to find, to see;
where light is but a flicker in my soul:
   just enough to help me trust there is a light
whose warmth and brightness beckon me and help me trust
         that you are with me, every step along the way...

To trust in the light when all is dark around me:

for such deep faith I pray, Lord...

To trust I'm not alone when I can't find even you:

for this great gift I pray, Lord...

To trust that strength beyond my own, your strength, Lord,

will help me make my way when I don't know the way:

for this sweet grace I pray, Lord...

To trust I'll find the courage to go on and not give up,

to persevere and not give in,

to stay the course and not turn back

for all of this I pray, Lord,

for this is grace and these are gifts that only you can give...

Even when I walk through a dark valley,
I fear no harm for you are at my side,
your crook and your staff
give me courage...

Your light has come into the world, Lord,
   and no darkness can extinguish it...

Your light has come into my heart, Lord,
   and though fear and worry close my eyes,
      your light still burns within me without fail...

Your light has come into my soul, Lord,
   where with your Spirit's breath you kindle warmth
      to keep me through the dark of night
         until the light of hope burns bright again, another day...

Your light has come, Lord,
   and no darkness within or around me can extinguish it...

In the quiet of my prayer within this valley
   hear my prayer for light and warmth,
      hear my plea for strength and courage,
         hear my cry for your protection from all harm:
help me trust, Lord, that you are with me, at my side,
   that with your crook and staff you guard and guide me...

In the stillness of my prayer show me again the light of your presence
   and share with me the warmth of your love;
In the stillness, calm my fears, wipe my tears away
   and help me trust in you and hope that soon, with my own eyes,
      I'll see the light that pierces every darkness
         and burns within my soul...