A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Thursday 2/23

Lord of all mercy,
even before I sin,
before I even think of failing
   to abide by your word,
long before I fall from grace,
even then, your mercy is waiting, ready
   to pardon and forgive me,
   to mend me and to heal me,
   to lift me up into your arms...

I don't deserve such mercy -
   no good I've ever done
   could merit such a love
   as yours for me -
and yet your mercy and your love
are always there for me
and simply for the asking...

I can’t then help but wonder, Lord:
    who waits for my mercy?
   my pardon?
   my love?

Who waits on the other end

of my long held grudges and resentments?

Who waits outside the door of my anger?

Who waits, Lord, on the other side

of my "silent treatment?"

Who waits to be welcomed back into my life?

Who waits to hear my voice,

to hear once more a loving word from me?

Who waits for my compassion and kindness,

for my patient understanding,

for my pardon and my mercy?

Who waits for my mercy, Lord,

as I wait for yours?

And since your mercy for me
   is there even before I think to seek it
(long before my heart is moved
   to beg your gracious pardon)
must I not hold within my heart
   a generous store of mercy,
       ready for anyone who's hurt me?

If your love for me is so generous

must I not be generous with others?

Must I not stand waiting,

ready to forgive,

to speak a word of kindness,

to mend and heal what's broken,

to welcome back to my embrace

any who've offended me?

God of mercy,
you're always there for me,
ready to forgive and to embrace,

especially in these Lenten days,

this season of your mercy

and so I pray tonight:
    give me the grace I need
   to hold within in my heart
   a waiting store of mercy,