NIGHT PRAYER: Monday 12/5

Isaiah offers what's become a classic Advent text:

    Comfort, give comfort to my people,

        says your God.
    Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, 

        and proclaim to her that her exile is over

            and her sins are forgiven...

    (Isaiah 40:1-3)

 

We're all in need of your comfort, Lord

    - on all fronts and in so many different ways...

 

We need your comfort 

    in our troubled, violent world...

 

We need your comfort 

    in our heavy, grieving hearts...

 

We need your comfort

    in our fears and our anxieties...

 

We need your comfort

    in our doubt and our confusion...

 

We need your comfort 

    through our lonely days and nights...

We need the comfort of your promise, Lord

    and comfort we can offer 

        to any who may need it...

 

We need the comfort only you can give,

    the comfort that you offer

through the love and consolation

    of our families, friends and neighbors...

 

We need your comfort, Lord,

    not just to end our pain and problems

but even more as a way to live  

    with our burdens,

    through our present circumstances,

    enduring our hard times

until the comfort of your  peace is ours, 

    at last - forevermore...

 

Though our sins deserve your judgment

    bless our souls with mercy's comfort,

        with your pardon and your peace...

Help us comfort one another,

    speaking tenderly and kindly

to all who seek your blessing

    in our arms, our words and deeds...

Comfort all your people, Lord,

    with your healing hand and touch

and restore us to your warm embrace,

    your strong and saving arms...

Protect us, Lord, while we're awake,

keep vigil through the night,

that awake, we keep the watch with you

and in comfort, sleep in peace...

 

Amen.

 

Two musical offerings tonight, based on Isaiah's words:

    1) a soulful duet, arranged  by Quincy Jones

    2) the familiar solo from Handel's Messiah.

Though I like both versions very much, this Advent the

Jones arrangement is just what my heart needs to hear...

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A Soulful Celebration: Comfort Ye  arranged by Quincy Jones 

    performed by Daryl Coley & Vanessa Bell Armstrong 

 

 

Handel: Comfort Ye performed by Rufus Muller

 

 

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