NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 6/14

On Sundays, Night Prayer takes its lead from some element from the day's liturgy. In today's first reading from the Book of Exodus, the Lord says, "You shall be my special possession..."

That's a tough one, Lord!

Me - special? 

I don't think so!

 

I can point out for you 

all the ways I'm ordinary,

plain,

common,

average

and unremarkable...

 

Not to mention 

all the ways I'm broken,

damaged,

faulty,

imperfect,

and undependable...

 

And need I mention 

all the ways I'm lazy,

capricious,

unsettled,

inconsistent,

and unpredictable? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 JESUS interrupts my prayer and says:

 

Look - no one knows your faults better than me!

I see them - believe me - I see them!

I see them when you don't see them.

I see them when you refuse to see them!

I see faults you don't even know you have yet!

 

I get how you've come to be who you are.  

 

But I look through your faults...

I look beyond your imperfections...

I understand your brokenness...

 

I believe you when you say you're sorry,

I'm not surprised when you fail again,

and I'm always ready to forgive you

and give you a clean slate and a new beginning...

 

I see a beauty in you

which you have forgotten

or perhaps a beauty

you have yet to discover... 

 

My eyes pierce through all the faults,

shortcomings and limitations

you listed up above

and I see within you

the unique person I created you to be,

the person I have loved

since before all time, 

the one who always has 

my full attention,

oceans of my mercy 

and all my love - with love to spare -

reaching out to catch you in my arms,

to hold you close in my embrace

until the day you'll finally know

you're special, 

yes, indeed you are

my special possession... 

JESUS becomes quiet, silent, 

and I think I should say something, so...

 

I'm not sure what to say, Lord,

but I will say I am grateful

for all that you just told me,

and for your love

and for your mercy

and for your arms, open wide,

waiting for me, always waiting for me

to fall into your embrace

and to find how much you love me,

your own, your chosen,

indeed, your special possession...

 

Help me, Lord, to see myself

as you see me

and to know that I'm redeemed,

refreshed, restored reborn

as your beloved,

your favored child... 

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. 

 

Just can't think of a better song for tonight's prayer... 

I Have Loved You by Michael Joncas 

 

If a widget doesn't appear below, click here!

 

 

 

I have loved you with an everlasting love, 

I have called you and you are mine;

I have loved you with an everlasting love, 

I have called you and you are mine.

Seek the face of the Lord and long for him: 

He will bring you his light and his peace.

Seek the face of the Lord and long for him: 

He will bring you his joy and his hope.

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