On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight's prayer picks up the message on prayer found in the first reading and the gospel for today's mass...
This evening, Lord,
I want to
thank you
for your always being there,
every time I come to pray...
I believe that when I pray
you listen to me,
heart hears my heart
even when my heart is mute...
I believe you love the prayer of
of just my "showing up,”
of every time my heart,
my imagination and my attention turn
- if only for a few seconds -
toward you, always there, at my side...
Especially then,
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,
you’re in my heart,
I'm glad you're near,
I need you
and I want you by my side...
It's not a bell, Lord,
nor the time of day,
nor my need, much less my idea
no - it’s only and always
the power of your Spirit
that calls and draws me to prayer...
Every prayer of mine
comes at your Spirit's prompting,
your grace stirring, prodding,
nudging, urging me
to come to you in prayer...
There's
not a moment, night or day,
when your Spirit isn't moving me
to make some time,
to find a quiet place,
to sit with you in prayer...
I'm so grateful, Lord:
you never tire of my tales of woe,
of
drying all my tears,
listening with such patience,
hearing me out, again and again,
even when I fail to find the words
to speak what’s really on my mind
and in my heart,
what I really need to speak to you
in prayer...
No thought of mine, Lord,
comes as news to you...
Not a word of my prayer
takes you by surprise…
You hear my every plea,
ever stumbling, awkward, mindless, rote
distracted, selfish prayer…
And most of all you hear the prayer
that echoes in my heart
but never makes it to my lips…
You never turn away from me
in boredom or frustration,
but rather do you bend, Lord,
always, ever nearer, closer,
to hear my every word...
Help me never be afraid, Lord,
to share
with you in prayer
what’s precisely on my mind
and
rooted deep within my heart...
This evening, Lord, I thank you
for your always being there,
for your
open ears and heart
every time I come to pray...
Protect me, Lord, while I’m awake,
watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace…
Amen.
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