NIGHT PRAYER: Sunday 8/9

On Sundays, Night Prayer takes its lead from some element of the day's liturgy.  Tonight we begin with the words of Jesus in today's gospel: Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid...

 

Lord, I can't count the number of time
    when you tell me to have no fear,
        to fear not, to be not afraid... 

I'm grateful for all that encouragement 

    but the truth is,

        I still have fears...  I'm often afraid...

And still you tell me,  

    Be not afraid...

Sometimes, Lord, 

    I'm not even sure what it is I fear
but I know when I'm afraid
    because I know how it feels
         - and I know when I feel it...

And yet you tell me,

    Be not afraid...

Sometimes I'm afraid 

    of things in my past,
things that no longer exist,
    the old, familiar ghosts of things long gone...

And again you tell me, 

    Be not afraid...

And sometimes I fear 

    what doesn't yet exist: 

I fear what's next

    or what might be,

        or what could be

    or things I dream up

        that will never be...

And once more you tell me,  

    Be not afraid...  

Sometimes, Lord,
    I'm afraid of people,

        afraid of folks I've no reason to fear 

 and sometimes I fear

    those who love me

        and that makes no sense at all...

 

And still you tell me,  

    Be not afraid... 

 

And sometimes, Lord, 

    I know it's my fear

that blinds my heart 

    to the grace and strength

you give me

    - when I am afraid! 

       
And yet you tell me,

    Be not afraid...

And sometimes, Lord, I'm afraid of myself:

    of who I am, 

        of what I've done -or not yet done-

            of what I might yet do

     and then begins the vicious circle 

        of fearing the fear within me,

            the fear that makes me afraid... 

 

And again you tell me,

    Be not afraid...

And sometimes, Lord, 

    I'm afraid of you 

who never tire of telling me:

    Take heart and be not afraid,

        I'm here, I'm with you,

    I'm your courage and strength,

        I will not leave your side... 

What will it take, Lord, what must I do, 
   to take a step outside my fear, beyond my fear,
to trust in you, to walk with you:

        my shield, my safety,

        my refuge from danger

        and my hope that all shall be well...

Fill my heart with your Spirit, Lord,
   with the grace I need - day after day -
to take but one small step in faith

     beyond my doubt, beyond my fear...

I need to hear your words again, Lord,

    again and again and again,
'til my faith is strong beyond my dread,
    and secure beyond my fear...

 

So before I go to sleep tonight,

    let me hear you whisper again:

        Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid,

            I am here, I am with you

                and all shall be well... 

 

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...

Be Not Afraid by Taylor Davis

    performed by Stonebriar Music

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Be not afraid for I have redeemed you 

Be not afraid I've called you my name 

My love for you is everlasting 

My love for you shall have no end 

When you pass through the waters 

I will surround you 

When you pass through the floods 

They will not sweep o'er 

When you walk through the fire 

You will not be consumed 

You are my child You are my child 

You are so precious to me 

 

Be not afraid for I have redeemed you 

Be not afraid for I've called you my name 

My love for you is everlasting 

My love for you will have no end 

When you pass through the waters 

I will surround you 

When you pass through the floods 

They will not sweep o'er 

When you walk through the fire 

You will not be consumed 

You are my child You are my child 

You are so precious to me 

 

You are my child 

And I'll love you always 

Just hold my hand and I'll lead you on 

When you feel lost always remember 

I am right here Just call out my name 

When you pass through the waters 

I will surround you 

When you pass through the floods 

They will not sweep o'er 

When you walk through the fire 

You will not be consumed 

You are my child 

You are so precious to me 

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