Today is Candlemas Day (the Feast of the Presentation). Our prayer this evening looks for Christ to be our light, the light of salvation for all peoples.
On the dark days, Lord,
when thick clouds shade my heart,
shine your guiding light upon my steps...
Be the light that burns within me,
in my corners of confusion...
Be the light upon my path
to show the way when I am lost...
Be a light to search me out
when I'm huddled in the shadows...
Draw me out of my own darkness
to the light your presence brings...
Be the midday sun and share with me
the warmth of your embrace...
Be the moon's light in my night sky,
aglow in all my dreams...
Be a light of truth and wisdom
in my random, foolish thoughts....
Be my light of hope and trust, Lord,
when sadness fills my soul...
And when I choose the darkness, Lord,
or close my eyes in fear
then shine your light upon me
with your mercy, grace and peace...
Brighten the darkness around me, Lord,
illumine the darkness within me;
shine through the darkness that hides me,
burn in the darkness that chills me;
shimmer in shadows that dull me,
gleam in the shade that shrouds me;
pierce the darkness that clouds my hope
and warm me with rays of grace...
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 song is a musical setting for Simeon's words in the gospel of the Feast of the Presentation. His words are prayed every evening at Compline, the official night prayer of church. As you'll hear in the music, those words from Compline find an echo here in the four lines with which our Night Prayer always concludes...
Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake,
watch over us as we sleep
that awake, we may keep watch with Christ
and asleep, rest in his peace...
Lord, now you let your servant go in peace,
your word has been fulfilled
my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit
as it was in the beginning, is now
and will be forever. Amen.
Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake,
watch over us as we sleep
as awake, we may keep watch with Christ
and asleep, rest in his peace...
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