NIGHT PRAYER: Saturday 9/30

The crickets sang in the grasses.

They sang the song of summer’s ending,

a sad, monotonous song. 

“Summer is over and gone,” they sang. 

“Over and gone, over and gone. Summer is dying, dying.” 

The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody 

that summertime cannot last forever. 

Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year 

— the days when summer is changing into fall — 

the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change. 

- E.B. White in Charlotte's Web 

It's the last night in September, Lord,

and choirs of crickets are reminding me

that summer is over and done,

that summer is taking her leave of us,

that summer is going, going, gone...

At the end of the day comes the crickets' hymn

on a wisp of a breeze, an unwelcome dirge

spoiling my summertime reverie, 

turning my mood in an autumn crisp and chill...

My lips resist the dirge 

and yet its repetitious chant beguiles me 

and draws me in 'til I embrace

- or am embraced - 

by seasons changing:

summer's ending, 

fall's beginning...

Is this the gain that comes in loss?

Is this the grace that's born of grief?

Is this the joy that I'm to find

in letting go what I can't keep?

Is this the secret in your pledge?

the grace we all await?

the message in the crickets' song,

their simple, plaintive prayer?

September ends this evening, Lord,

and crickets tell no lies,

so the  ugly rumor must be true: 

summer's passed 

and autumn's on the rise...

 

Teach me how to sing then

in the crickets' choir of praise, 

to join with them in their welcoming

this season of your love,

to welcome in the changes, Lord,

that every season brings...

Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake,

    and watch over me while I sleep

that awake, I might keep watch with you

    and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

 

(Tonight's music for prayer is amazing!

The audio has two overlaid tracks: the first is the sound of crickets

and the second is the same sound slowed down by a factor of 800. 

The slowed down sound has a beautiful, haunting choral quality 

- but remember - the only sounds you'll hear are crickets!)  

 

God's Cricket Chorus

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