NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 11/27

On Sundays, Night Prayer will focus on an element from the day's celebration of Mass. Tonight's prayer riffs on the very familiar seasonal song,  O Come Emmanuel: Israel's plea for a savior to set them free.  Peter Hollens' arrangement here reveals the song's urgent, plaintive cry... As you listen to the music, reflect on how these words might be your own cry, your own prayer, in Advent 2022...  It might be helpful to listen to the song before the prayer - and then again after the prayer...

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O Come, Emmanuel by Peter Hollens

 

 

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel

 

O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear

 

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadow put to flight

 

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height
In ancient times did give the law
In cloud, and majesty, and awe

Rejoice! Rejoice!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Help me see what holds me captive, Lord,

    and come with your grace to set me free...

Help me see how my heart's in exile, Lord,

    and come to rescue and bring me home...

Help me lift up my mourning for you to heal

    and come and anoint me again with joy...

 

Help me see what burdens and saddens my soul

    and help me to carry whatever I bear...

 

Help me see what clouds my trust and my hope

    and lead me out of the shadows, Lord... 

Help me see how often I'm weak and I fall

    and come with your strength to raise me up...

Help me hear the word of your law and your love

    and come to show me your path of life...

Help me pray for the grace to welcome you, Lord,

    when my heart is slow to open its door...

Help me trust that you are Emmanuel,

    God-with-me, my Savior, my ransom, my hope...

 

 Help me open my heart to your advent, Lord,

    help me welcome your presence, your mercy and peace...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake

and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch for you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

 

Amen.

O Come, Emmanuel by Peter Hollens

Advent Blessing  

    composed by Michael Joncas and Alan Hommerding

 

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