On Sundays, Night Prayer takes its lead from some element from the day's liturgy
and today is the fifth Sunday in the Easter season. In today's Gospel, we find Jesus at his last supper, bidding farewell to his friends and telling them that he is their way, their truth and their life... Those images are beautifully set to music in John Becker's song, "Lead Me, Lord." I suggest that tonight we listen first to the song (lushly arranged here by Mark Hayes) and then join together in the prayer... (If a video doesn't appear below, click here!)
Blessed are the poor in spirit, longing for their Lord,
for God's coming kingdom shall be theirs.
Blessed are the sorrowing, for they shall be consoled,
and the meek shall come to rule the world.
Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord, by the light of truth
to seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way; be my truth; be my life, my Lord,
and lead me, Lord, today.
Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be theirs,
and the pure in heart shall see their God.
Blest are they whose hunger only holiness can fill,
for I say they shall be satisfied.
Blest are they who through their lifetimes sow the seeds of peace;
all will call them children of the Lord.
Blest are you, though persecuted in your holy life
for in heaven, great is your reward.
Let's pray...
for God's coming kingdom shall be theirs.
Blessed are the sorrowing, for they shall be consoled,
and the meek shall come to rule the world.
Lead me, Lord, lead me, Lord, by the light of truth
to seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way; be my truth; be my life, my Lord,
and lead me, Lord, today.
Blessed are the merciful, for mercy shall be theirs,
and the pure in heart shall see their God.
Blest are they whose hunger only holiness can fill,
for I say they shall be satisfied.
Blest are they who through their lifetimes sow the seeds of peace;
all will call them children of the Lord.
Blest are you, though persecuted in your holy life
for in heaven, great is your reward.
Let's pray...
"By the narrow way..."
That's the way I need to go, Lord,
and I do need you to lead me
to seek and to find the narrow way...
I'm so easily led down wider paths,
roads with broad, undefined shoulders:
lots of room for weaving back and forth
and waffling on decisions, choices
and changes to be made...
The wider path is looser, less constricting,
leaving me free to follow the latest fad,
the crowd's lead or whatever whim or fancy
might currently be mine...
Multiple lanes on the road offer me
more room than I need,
more sway than is wise,
more chances for losing my way...
It's the narrow way, your way, Lord
that helps me focus on my goals,
keeps me straight on the way that's mine,
protects me from making wrong turns
and leads me, always, closer to you,
to your word, your grace and your love...
So lead me, Lord, by the light of truth,
lead me to seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way; be my truth; be my life;
That's the way I need to go, Lord,
and I do need you to lead me
to seek and to find the narrow way...
I'm so easily led down wider paths,
roads with broad, undefined shoulders:
lots of room for weaving back and forth
and waffling on decisions, choices
and changes to be made...
The wider path is looser, less constricting,
leaving me free to follow the latest fad,
the crowd's lead or whatever whim or fancy
might currently be mine...
Multiple lanes on the road offer me
more room than I need,
more sway than is wise,
more chances for losing my way...
It's the narrow way, your way, Lord
that helps me focus on my goals,
keeps me straight on the way that's mine,
protects me from making wrong turns
and leads me, always, closer to you,
to your word, your grace and your love...
So lead me, Lord, by the light of truth,
lead me to seek and to find the narrow way.
Be my way; be my truth; be my life;
be my Lord - and lead me 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.
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