On Sundays, Night Prayer will find its source in an element of the day's liturgy. Tonight's prayer springs from today's first scripture from the Book of Wisdom.)
Wisdom!
Dare I invite Wisdom to my heart, Lord?
Dare I not welcome her advances?
Do I not desire her - and deeply so -
in my thoughts, my words and all I do?
Wisdom!
She comes at no small cost, Lord:
to welcome her is to kiss goodbye
my soul's adolescent folly,
my stubborn, selfish pride
and reliance on myself for truth.
Wisdom, a demanding friend is she
who asks for all I have but in return,
gives back much more than ever
I hoped or dreamed to call my own.
And a jealous lover Wisdom is:
no other claims upon my heart abiding,
she seduces me with truth,
along a simple path to peace - and yes, to joy!
She shimmers and she shines
in darkened corners of my mind
with a mesmerizing light undimmed
in my shadows of confusion.
She trains my eyes to seek what's true,
what's just, what's pure,
what's worthy of my will, my love,
my thoughts, my words and all I do.
Dare I invite your Wisdom, Lord,
to settle in my soul,
dwell deeply in my thoughts,
take hold my heart's desires?
Dare I not welcome her advances?
Dare I chance a wasted, foolish life,
spent in vain pursuit
of passing, empty pleasure?
No, rather, Lord - I choose Lady Wisdom!
Send her to my arms
to renew me from the inside out,
to govern all things well within my soul,
to abide with me, in spite of all my foolish ways
and hold me in the grace and peace she is.
Give me courage, Lord, to court Lady Wisdom
who's always seeking me,
who never tires in her quest
to take my mind, my heart, my soul.
May she lead me to a quiet place
to rest in her embrace
while she sings to me and shares with me,
from all her many treasures,
your word of truth and peace.
In the stillness of my prayer tonight
send Wisdom to my soul,
to take and keep me as her own,
to make my heart her home.
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.
The perfect wisdom of our God,
Revealed in all the universe:
All things created by His hand,
And held together at His command.
He knows the mysteries of the seas,
The secrets of the stars are His;
He guides the planets on their way,
And turns the earth through another day.
The perfect of timing of his ways
Along the path of righteousness,
His word a lamp unto my feet,
His Spirit teaching and guiding me.
And, oh, the wisdom of the Cross,
To save the helpless and the lost,
He chose the fool to shame the wise
And all the glory might go to God.
Oh grant me wisdom from above,
To pray for peace and cling to love,
And teach me humbly to receive
The sun and rain of Your sovereignty
Each strand of sorrow has a place
Within this tapestry of grace;
So through the trials I choose to say:
"Your perfect will, in your perfect way."
Each strand of sorrow has a place
Within this tapestry of grace;
So through the trials I choose to say:
"Your perfect will in your perfect way."
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