NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 9/19

I pray tonight, Lord,

for people I've hurt

and who in their kindness have pardoned me

when I've asked for their forgiveness

    - what a blessing and gift their mercy has been...

And I pray, too, Lord, 

for those I've offended

who've not yet been able

to forgive me my faults:

    what a healing for me that mercy would be

    - and for them as well, I'hope...

 

And I also pray, Lord, 

you open my heart with your mercy and grace

when it closes up in the face of hurt,

when I wall myself in, lost in self-pity,

when resentments and grudges

keep me from pardoning 

those who seek my forgiveness... 

And I pray tonight, Lord,

for those I've hurt

without my even knowing:

    when my unintended carelessness,

    my accidental clumsiness,

    bruised and even wounded some

    who chanced to share my path...

And I pray for those who suffer, Lord:

    who go without while I have more,

        more than I could ever need;

    who want for just life's basics

        while I store up my extras;

    who have a claim on what is "mine"

        since all that's "mine" is gift from you

            - on loan, for me to share...

And I thank you for your mercy, Lord:

for all the ways you pardon me,

    forgive, release and cleanse me,

of my failings, faults and sins, 

    of my haunting guilt and shame

and of all the harm I cause

    when I fail to love and keep your Word

and fail to love my neighbor

    as I am loved by you...

   

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.

 

Forgiveness by Matt West

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