A Concord Pastor Comments: NIGHT PRAYER: Tuesday 7/28

At sunset, dusk and twilight,

in the evening, nighttime, bedtime, Lord,
we turn and lift our hearts to you
as day slips into nightclothes
and we slip into bed...

I'd guess that since the moon first shone
on those of us on earth,
we've turned at night to you, in prayer,
to drop into your waiting lap
the troubles and the trials
we've carried through the day...

For how many tens of thousands of years, Lord,
have your children come to you at night
to snuggle in your strong, warm arms,
asking for a bedtime tale,
a story of your love,

of how you've rescued and you've saved us
from the things we fear the most...

This day's done and here we are, Lord:
lining up with all your children
stretching back through history:
waiting for your blessing,
waiting for a goodnight kiss,
waiting 'til you tuck us in
and tell us one more time,
how much we're loved,
how safe we are
and how you'll be there in the morning
when we rise...

Protect us, Lord, while we're awake

and watch over us as we sleep,

that awake, we might keep watch with you

and asleep, rest in your peace...

Amen.

Tonight's song is a very old hymn: its lyrics date from the 3rd century and the tune (Jesu Dulcis Memoria) is from the 12th century. In Greek it's the Phos Hilaron, an ode to Christ, our Light in the darkness, the Light no darkness can extinguish. Imagine how many burdens God's children have laid at his feet, singing this hymn, over all those centuries...

O Radiant Light performed by OCP Session Choir

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O radiant Light, O Sun divine
Of God the Father's deathless face,
O image of the light sublime
That fills the heav'nly dwelling place.

O Son of God, the source of life,
Praise is your due by night and day.
Our happy lips must raise the strain
Of your esteemed and splendid name.

Lord Jesus Christ, as daylight fades,
As shine the lights of eventide,
We praise the Father with the Son,
The Spirit blest, and with them one.