2/18/21

NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 2/18

 

Lent's a time for me to review my life
with its all its failings and blessings,
a time to take a personal inventory
of how I've loved or failed to love God
and all those whose paths have crossed mine...

When I look to my past, I remember
those I've hurt, saddened and even betrayed:
more often than not,
I truly didn't intend any harm
but harm was done nonetheless  
by my haste, my selfishness, 
my carelessness and neglect...
 
Too often, I forget that the people around me
are as fragile or even more fragile than I am,
that I need to be careful, compassionate and gentle
with those I meet along the way... 
 
Lord, if  there are ways for me to make amends, 
show me how and give me courage
to say what I need to say
and do what I need to do,
sooner than later...
 
If the time and circumstances for making amends  
have long since passed me by,
hear my prayer for those I've hurt… 
 
Open my eyes and ears, my mind and heart
to those around me now, Lord:
wake me to their presence and their needs
and keep me gentle in all the ways
my life touches theirs... 
 
Teach me to forgive, Lord,
nudge me to be the first
to take a step towards making peace
in my family, my neighborhood, 
at work and at school...
 
Teach me to forgive, Lord,
give me a generous and merciful heart:
help me remember how much,
how often, how fully and freely 
you've forgiven me... 
 
Teach me your mercy, Lord:
forgive me my trespasses
as I forgive those
who trespass against me... 
 
Teach me to forgive, Lord,
to forgive as you've forgiven me,
teach me to forgive...
 
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me when I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
 
Amen. 
MMMMMMMMM
Forgiveness by Matthew West

It's the hardest thing to give away 
And the last thing on your mind today 
It always goes to those who don't deserve 
It's the opposite of how you feel 
When the pain they caused is just too real 
It takes everything you have to say the word... 
 
Forgiveness Forgiveness 
 
It flies in the face of all your pride 
It moves away the mad inside 
It's always anger's own worst enemy 
Even when the jury and the judge 
Say you gotta right to hold a grudge 
It's the whisper in your ear saying 'set it free' 
 
Forgiveness, Forgiveness 
Forgiveness, Forgiveness 
 
Show me how to love the unlovable 
Show me how to reach the unreachable 
Help me now to do the impossible 
Forgiveness, Forgiveness 
Help me now to do the impossible 
Forgiveness 
 
It'll clear the bitterness away 
It can even set a prisoner free 
There is no end to what its power can do 
So let it go and be amazed 
By what you see through eyes of grace 
The prisoner that it really frees is you 
 
Forgiveness, Forgiveness 
Forgiveness, Forgiveness 
 
Show me how to love the unlovable 
Show me how to reach the unreachable 
Help me now to do the impossible 
Forgiveness I want to finally set it free 
So show me how to see what your mercy sees 
Help me now to give what you gave to me
Forgiveness, Forgiveness 
Forgiveness, Forgiveness 
Forgiveness

 

  

  
Subscribe to A Concord Pastor Comments 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please THINK before you write
and PRAY before you think!