NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 9/6

O God, creator of the world,
the sun, the moon and the stars,
you chose to fashion us as your own,
your handiwork of love...

Indeed, we are your hands’ own work
but into our hands
you've placed the care
of every living thing...

In more ways than we can count, Lord,
our work builds up - or tears apart -
what came as gift to us from you...

Lest we harm the smallest part 

of all you’ve made,

keep us faithful in preserving
all you’ve given to our care...

Give us good and honest work to do
and rest at each day’s end.
Let a fair and good day’s wage be paid
for a good day’s work well done.

Give us work to nurture and sustain
the ones who serve and those they serve...

Let those who labor work in peace,
in freedom, without fear...

Give those in need a job to do
and to the tired - well earned rest...

Let all our work and toil, Lord,
give glory to your name....

Protect us, Lord, while we're awake

and watch over us while we sleep

that awake, we might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

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Your Labor Is Not In Vain by Wendell Kimbrough

 

Before praying with the psalm, take some time to name what your labor is in life... Where in your life do you "sow, plant and reap?" Where in your life are the "fields and vineyards" of your labor? What are you "building" at home, at work, at school? in your marriage,  family and friendships? in your neighborhood, community and parish? Whatever shape or form your labor takes, that's the labor we sing in the lyrics of this song.  (And perhaps your labor is the toil of the unemployed, working at finding a job...)

 

Your labor is not in vain 

Though the ground underneath you is cursed and stained 

Your planting and reaping are never the same 

But your labor is not in vain 

 

Your labor is not unknown 

Though the rocks they cry out and the sea it may groan 

The place of your toil may not seem like a home 

But your labor is not unknown 

 

    I am with you, I am with you 

    I am with you, I am with you 

    For I have called, called you by name 

    Your labor is not in vain 

 

The vineyards you plant will bear fruit 

The fields will sing out and rejoice with the truth 

For all that is old will at last be made new 

The vineyards you plant will bear fruit 

 

The houses you labor to build 

Will finally with laughter and joy be filled 

The serpent that hurts and destroys will be killed 

And all that is broken be healed

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